Aeleni's page

That's all good and well, but why should we go to the town again? Are you saying they took the girl there? That doesn't make any sense really.

Aeleni looks at the bugbear with suspicion.

Insight: 1d20 + 8 + 1d4 ⇒ (6) + 8 + (3) = 17
Is he telling the truth or trying to lure them away?

Shasta, when you log into the game you don't need a password. Just let it empty.

I get the message that i don't own a token.
Also on login, there's just player 2-12 + gamemaster.
Who is which player? Would be good to have character names there instead.
You need set owners on the actors in the actors directory as far as i know. Then we can see the tokens of that actor, because we should have automatic ownership.
Except if this works very different from the PF2 module.

How do you know which user is Shasta?
Couldn't figure that one out.

Seems Sebecloki did something with sheets i don't really understand, we seem to be lacking actors and tokens though, hence you can't see.

Apologies if that came across offensive somehow or "corrective".
You know i like a lot of your game ideas and enjoy playing with you.

I get your idea with this awesome big map exploring. It's cool and probably works well on Foundry.
I just think that's not really a PbP game anymore then somehow and wanted to point that out in relation to you getting burnt out about PbP gaming and loosing people.
That's all.

I'm happy to game on though.

I don't think that's the PbP format. You run demanding games with new and extra rules (which is cool), but keep on changing things and maps and the world background etc.
That is too much for a lot of people who just want to have some fun 5 minutes of escapism here daily.

For example, i don't think Shasta meant naming the monsters individually on discord, rather focusing a bit more on the text you are writing here when doing posts and describing things a bit more here.

You can be such an awesome narrator, lately some posts seemed a bit unfocused though.
Seems your attention is really somewhere else.

Just my perception of course.

Did we already loose someone? Keeper Brin?

Round 3:
Aeleni is holding up her barrage the the snakespiders.

Attack Action:
HCB+1: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 201d6 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 5 = 17
HCB+1: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 251d6 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 5 = 16

Bonus Action:
HCB Offhand: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 181d6 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 5 = 11
HCB Offhand: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 241d6 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 5 = 15

Why? What's more players gonna change here? I don't really see a benefit.

I waited for posts for several days and it wasn't my turn, then yesterday everyone posted after i could check in and this is my first chance now.

Also your link doesn't work.

Posting a bit in advance, but think should be my turn again then.

Aeleni bites her lips in commiseration as Jiminiy and Shasta both get bitten by the snakes, as it looks very painful.
She stays focused though and unloads another volley into them.

Attack Action:
HCB+1: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 261d6 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 5 = 14
HCB+1: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 311d6 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 5 = 14 Crit! for 28 damage

Bonus Action:
HCB Offhand: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 261d6 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 5 = 12
HCB Offhand: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 291d6 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 5 = 12

Here take this and die! she shouts, focusing on the snake next to her.

Aeleni, seeing how the creatures are turning hostile after all and seeing no way to stop Jiminy now, draws both her hand crossbows and opens fire on one in his path, moving a bit to the right.

Hand Crossbow +1: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 291d6 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 5 = 16
Hand Crossbow +1: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 131d6 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 5 = 12

Hand Crossbow: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 111d6 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 5 = 14
Hand Crossbow: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 111d6 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 5 = 17

Dual Wielding pact weapons with crossbow expertise, fighting style archery and Sharpshooter, so no range band. +5 is necrotic damage. I wonder if this could actually be combined with eldritch blast.

And of course 2 1s! Do i get advantage because the spidersnakes are surprised or flatfooted?

Yes it does.

Would you mind putting a link to the current scene into the header of your GM Alias?
That would be very convenient.

This seems like a real good VTT for PbP to me! Congrats on that find Sebecloki!

Made an account and signed in.

As long as we actually play and advance the story, ok.
Even though i'm now open to new system i'm less interested in trying out every new system or subsystem out there and constantly changing things.

As far as i remember, this also led to a lot of attrition in various games in the past.

Thanks for the above details. Regarding Bonus Actions, I figured as much but wanted to be sure I wasn't missing anything general like an option to use the bonus action for additional movement or drawing a weapon or such things that are sometimes part of move actions in Pathfinder.

Most encounters with unfamiliar creatures/opponents will allow some kind of roll by PCs to know some details about the NPC/monster. I would suggest when a new creature is encountered, the narrator state what specifically will be the roll for this case.

In Pathfinder, for example, the monster lore skill roll depends on the type of creature encountered which the PCs won't necessarily know. So the GM usually indicates that, for example, a Knowledge (Nature) roll is appropriate. So here it might speed things if the narrator has a particular roll in mind to just let us know what we can roll, unless that might give away meta information. If nothing else, this can save the narrator some time because there will be no need to check the PC's profile to earn what the player could provide with the roll.

Good idea!

@Shasta: I vote for faerie fire, then bardic inspiration or whatever comes up. Faerie fire is probably the best massiv buff for all of us. Bless could be nice as well, but faerie fire is probably better. The rest is situational and i think you can use it situational.

Nature: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Slighty panting and stopping right in time before she runs into the serpents, Aeleni arrives as well.

That must be those snakes Grimmuk has been talking about. she states the obvious.

Perhaps they have a nest in that direction. We could just walk around and find the trail again afterwards.

Sebecloki, it seems to me you should let us know when the test arrives there. Send we have to cover some distance.

Didn't see something like that myself, but some noteworthy stuff:

-dual wielding weapon quality says you can attack with a second weapon on your bonus action, having this quality.

-Two Weapon fighting says, if you have an extra attack, you can attack twice with your bonus action then.
I think if you don't have the fighting style, which seems only accessible to fighters in AE5 (except if you take the 5e feat) you don't add your modifier to damage though.

Other than that adepts should be able to attack with a bonus action?
And crossbow expertise let's you attack with a bonus action.
Or any bonus action cantrip after an normal attack action.

Aeleni can dual wield hand crossbows and therefore attack 4 times with her action and bonus action.
Both weapons can be a pact weapon, so she can even add some stuff.
That only occured to me while building a second character as a rogue, who's dual wielding a whip and a dagger, to trip with the whip and then bonus action attack with the dagger with advantage hopefully for sneak attack. And AoOs as reactions with sneak attack possibly, when they stand up.

Second degree comes at level 4 for most, some at level 5 or later.
That would be possible, but an expensive investment.

I think the language on the website and the book could really use some cleanup and some things seem really not that clear somehow.
Or i don't understand the use and intent. If you look at what features they replace in 5e, seems like a downgrade often instead of adding possibilities.
Or the possibilities are very niche.

It occured to me that i completely forgot about skill specialties, even though i get quite some of them.

Is there any way besides the one feat that gives you 3 exertion and 2 or so maneuvers to gain more and higher degree maneuvers?

Aeleni looks to Keeper Brin, then back to the thick forest.
Uhm, yes. For a moment i thought i saw him there, but it's only bushes it seems. Or did something move there? I'm not sure. Either way, let's hurry and go on. I think we should have heard back from him a while ago.

With this she tries to lead the way herself to catch up with the 2 scouts.

That's always a bit tricky and difficult, especially when it's not sneaking around a corner in a dungeon, but potentially being several normal combat lengths away.

Let's see what Seb thinks about it. I think we should get some GM input here^^

Yeah i think we need to be more clear on situations like this overall in the future, but might also need a bit more GM input.
Or ask the GM :D

Yeah not sure how this shall be handled at the moment, since Seb wrote something about "several minutes deep in the forest", so i'll wait with posting.

Half an hour away from the party you or Figgy would now fight those snakes alone.
Can't really imagine that's in your best interest.
And in PbP i would tend to avoid scenes where 1 character plays alone over a longer time.

Well Aeleni clearly said she would keep an eye on the bugbear, that does mean staying at least in the vicinity.
I purposefully wrote it so that you would be a bit further on in the distance, like a hundred meters or so ahead, but with your 10 stealth check still visible.

Apologies if i assumed something wrong, but i also wanted to further the game.

If you want to go scouting far ahead in the future, ok then.

You said you wanted to do mounted combat, are you actually riding your drake?

Is that supposed to be funny, Lucky?
Aeleni quirks an eyebrow at Lucky.
I suppose this is some sort of regional human humor then. Curious. Perhaps in time i'll be able to learn and understand it. Keep on with it please.

She suddenly stops, pointing forward.
What's Jiminy doing there? I can't say whether he is scolding his drake or telling him goodbye forever..What do you think? Lucky, Keeper Brin? It looks kinda serious.

Keeper Brin
**You think he would? Mh. Might happen, but maybe we can direct his savagery at the goblins and keep it there. I'll watch him.**

Aeleni walks on, waiting for Jiminy and the bugbear to lead the way.

I actually still have to read those.
Have to see if i can finish the character for your game in time somehow, second day back at work and already flooded with stuff.

Don't worry, i'll watch your back. Just lead us ahead to the goblins. Even i can see a small horde trampled through here. And don't you think of trying to lead us off that cliff!

Aeleni grasps her handcrossbow firmly, looking voer her shoulder and around in the forest. She'll look out for any signs of danger from wildlife, especially snake monsters, but also from the bugbear and a cliff.

Well, go on then.
She nods into the direction the trampled trail leads, for the bugbear to lead on.

That's a pretty good idea Shasta!
Let's do that°!

Aelenis arches her eyebrows in a moent of surprise as she hears another voice in her head, then looks over her shoulder to Keeper Brin with the hint of a smile.

Keeper Brin
Then at least they won't touch her. I was afraid they would and break the girls spirit and soul. When one evil fights another, no good comes out.

I think this is a good way to do telepathic communication. Let me know what you think!

She adresses all:
We should hurry to catch them!

That was just the kick off and a quiet saturday evening for me.
Being in europe i have a bit different posting times, since i mostly post in the afternoon or evening here (GMT+1).

Of course giving everyone the chance to participate is naturally best!
So far i felt this was more getting things started and into character^^
Looking forward to play with you all!

We're not interested in this territory, only the goblins and the girl. Remember, we want the girl alive.

She waves her hand at Jiminy and Briggumkk
You two can lead us, and between the two of you we can certainly avoid those snakes and find the goblins quick.

Aeleni walks around the bugbear, taking a good look at him.
Nature about bug bears: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Culture/Religion: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Trying to gain something on his weird breath thing and cough as well on what i found out.

Aeleni tries to ignore the bugbears insults, but she still frowns as she answers.
The ranger is right, we have overlapping goals, as unbelievable as it is. Those goblins have stolen a girl from a village. We want that girl back and know why they stole it.

She looks him up and down in a derisive way.
You have to make a choice now. You can either decide we are in your way and fight us, or you can be smart, join forces with us, hunt down the goblins together and retrieve the girl as well as find out their motives. Then you can return to your village as a hero who beat those goblins on his own. Nobody needs to know that you had help from an elf and others.
Her smile seems a bit diabolical as she presents her thoughts to the bugbear.

Persuasion: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Aeleni steps around the tree trunk so the bugbear can see her and speaks aloud:
Greetings, Briggumkk Darkblade, Huntmaster of the Grinning Skulls. You make a formidable impression and i can see how you would crush all of your enemies like raw eggs, fearing neither man nor beast.
As you can easily see though, i man neither man nor beast. My name is Aeleni. Me and my humble companions here are hunting and searching for a special prey. Something has been taken away from some friends and we want to retrieve it. We most certainly do intend to leave this forest alive, but we wonder what you are doing here? It seems you were on the search for something? Perhaps there is something you seek in this forest as well?

Persuasion: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Using INT because that's what high elves do. Their beauty isn't measured in numbers, only ear length.

Don't forget everyone can use sign language with any language they know RAW.
So, everyone can use sign language common to answer Aelenis telepathic messages most of the time without giving away their presence loudly.

Hayato Ken -- where is your check modifier coming from? Int + 4 proficiency bonus +3, where is the extra +1 from? Also, I think the narrator determines in this game what ability applies to a given check, such as nature -- am I right BodaciousGaming?

Sorry only saw this now since i didn't get updates on the discussion channel.

Once again you hear the lovely elven voice in your mind...
Should we try to talk to it perhaps? I mean, they are brutal savages and i really dislike them, but... they are a culture and at least a bit intelligent. I mean, what's he doing there?
You can sense the feeling of disgust and hesitation in her telepathic voice.
Hidden behind the trunk of a large tree, she seems to be waiting for your input.

Only seconds later, everyone in the party can hear Aeleni's voice in their minds again.
Mh, i don't like it. You see those markings? That is a huntmaster of the Grinning Skull Tribe from the Emerald Forest. They are under they influence of the black dragon gods of the Necroarchy of Plegilon. They are brutal savages and their witch doctors perform rituals of dark magic. Who knows what they have waiting for the girl. We should capture and interrogate him if we can.

I think Jiminy has already started combat by using this maneuver where he gets to shoot during initiative, but this interaction might happen just split seconds before.

@Seb: I saw you rolled the nature check again for me, should we just announce what checks we want to do in the future? Would be fine with that. Or we can put it in spoilers. And how do we do initiative?

Just assuming Jiminy will point out the creature and warn everyone else.

Aeleni ducks down and looks at the creature.
Nature: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Proficient with all knowledge checks, INT + Prof Bonus, so just say it's a different to get some info on the creature.

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Everyone can hear her voice in their head, as her crossbow appears in her hand.
Beware! It might be a scout, but not alone!

The party has spent the last few hours trekking through the dense forest of the Emerald Scale Forest, weaving a winding way through vast trees and grasping
undergrowth. The forest is an ancient and wild place - the canopy overhead blocks out most of the sun’s light, while the brooding calls of far off birds are the only sounds that drift through the woodland. The party of would be rescuers have been following the trail left by the goblins they're pursuing - the creatures are anything but subtle, and their passing is marked by a pathway of broken branches, trampled undergrowth and even the odd butchered animal.

Go ahead and introduce your character and explain why they agreed to join this expedition, make any knowledge checks you'd like to roll, and then I'll start posting maps of the forest.

Aeleni looks from Lucky to Keeper Brin in some confusion, wondering if this is some kind of human play. After all they had met in the town of Sikrystall and agreed to hunt down the goblins and bring back the girl, alive if possible.

She looked at the human female, an entertainer of some sort she thought, from a group called the Cryprah if she rememberred correctly.
You mean people close to you call you Lucky, but you also think yourself exceptionally lucky? There are people like that, from time to time. Always question where that luck comes from though.

We'll see how our first combat together goes soon enough i guess. Of course all magic you can knit is welcome. Just try to let me out of harmful effects, will you, please?

In D&D5 i think advantage is always best, so if you can place a good fairy fire or something, that's always welcome. I could get advantage from casting darkness, but that might be bad for the rest, depending on the battlefield.
Of course, a bless or bardic inspiration to help set off the -5 to hit from sharpshooter is also welcome. It's only -3 for me though thanks to fighting style archery.

She looks on to the ranger:
You led us well so far, Jiminy Hargrove. And you are right, we should push on. There may be a chance to save the girl, although they might already have broken her mind and done horrible things to her.
You can see her shudder in disgust.

Keeper Brin, perhaps you should not stray afar too much, you might run into some of their scouts or even a horde. That could proof detrimental to your well being. You raise some very good points. It is unusual they only took one girl and nothing or noone else. Almost as if they were looking or hunting for that girl or a girl like her. Interesting.

Did i mention my name before? I am Aeleni, Aeleni Summerwind. Although the name of my house doesn't really matter anymore, i guess. I have no healing magic, but you could say i'm a scholar of sorts and i have some magic i can put to use. As well as my crossbow.
At the mention of "her house" you can feel a strong mental image being pushed upon you of a noble elven estate and happy days of youth and childhood there, then the sudden feeling of loss and disorientation.
As you look to her, seemingly out of nowhere a hand crossbow appears in her hand.

She nods to Jiminy.
Let's go! We dare not waste much time for the sake of the girl!

Getting some strong Goblin Slayer vibes here, very funny!

Silently like a young deer a female elf suddenly bristles through the bushes behind Lucky and Jiminy, striding to the next tree on light feet, placing a hand on it with a dreamy look in the eyes, the butterscotch blonde hair swinging on her back, falling over her shoulders, cape and armor.
She doesn't carry a lot of things, just light traveling backpack with the usual gear and a sword at her side, a case with arrows at the other.

At the mention of goblins her green eyes take on an intense shining and she furrows her brow.
You job is to track them. Once we found them, our tactics will be simple. We kill them like the maggots they are. I would conjure up some darkness, but then you probably can't see, so we do it the old fashioned way. Of course if you can distract them for a bit, that would make the work easier, i guess.
The grim look on her face passes, like as if she were shaking of some memories. Old and ugly memories.
Then she turns to the tree again.

Those trees are old. They feel... familiar... somehow.
She inspects the tree closely.

Nature: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Aeleni wrote:

Map looks cool! Pretty large though and a bit unspecific.

I get the idea of the area, but without some more descriptions, names etc. it's not much use i think.

I'm going to fill it in more as we go -- having 100s of named locations off the bat on the map isn't going to be anything you're going to absorb and remember anyway.

Nope, but i could tie my backstory to some^^

Map looks cool! Pretty large though and a bit unspecific.
I get the idea of the area, but without some more descriptions, names etc. it's not much use i think.

Here's my Token

One turns out to be a memory mistake, confused 2 warlock things.
but I don't like some things they did to rogues, especially with skills.

It seems there are some errors on the book, or at least changes.
lifedrinker is level 11 in 5e,but does not have the level tag here. Seems like a mistake to me. Probably should not take it I guess.
There's some more stuff that seems a bit weird, not sure whether intended or not.
Some things after stronger, others are really nerfed what seems ridiculous.

Wednesday evening should be fine too make a token.

@jiminiy: good idea with caring a character! Gotta think about that though, who would be good there.

Shasta play what you want, you can piebald change a bit later on anyway how I know Seb.
Faery fire or bless are really good spells in my experience, this game is all about advantage.

BTW I have a swashbuckler rogue as a backup.
And looking to add some maneuvers to Aeleni, those are awesome.