Aldaara Drower's page

Even an x4 critical hit is not as good as a fumble is bad once multiple attacks are happening. A fumble can effectively take a weapon user out of combat.

Yes, but there's only a few cards in the deck that actually do that. Most of them are "Flat footed for one round. - 2 to attack rolls for 1d4 rounds. Target gains concealment for 1 round. You hit, but you deal half damage to your weapon."

Most of you talking about the deck haven't actually seen it, and have used the absolute worse case scenarios on the cards. And the funny thing is, none of you have stated what the actual worst effect you can have is.
Something to the effect of "You fall unconscious for 1d6 rounds."

Have you ever dribbled two balls? For the sake of argument while running. Actually quite difficult. Use a better analogy.

I have my own system for crits and fumbles that's been adapting over the years depending on the players needs. After reading this thread I've gotten a few ideas that I'd like to implement.

I don't think of fumbling as a way of punishing, more like a way for balancing. 20 is always a hit while 1 is always a miss. Following that a confirmed 20 is always a crit while a confirmed 1 is always a fumble of some kind.

Aldaara: I like this idea for a spellcaster fumble/crit system, but what happens for aoe effects?

Stome: I see where your coming from and I can respect your opinion, but please stop with the poorly veiled insults. They only serve to distract from any constructive discussion.

Everyone: A more respectful tone goes a long way. (sorry for being so preachy, I don't know whats come over me)

That's a good question. It would be kind of silly to see a burning hands that crits on one and fumbles on another. One guy holds up a shield that reflects the fire while the other gets his eyes burned out of their sockets. The rules I posted need some work, but I think it's a start.

EDIT:

Malachi Silverclaw wrote:

On the previous page I posted proof that a fighter with 8 attacks (from haste, BAB+16, Greater TWF) Would roll a fumble threat 160 times over 400 full attacks, and confirm 53 of those fumbles. The farmer with a single attack would threaten a fumble 20 times over the same period, and confirm a fumble 19 times.

And this is assuming that the fighter only needs to roll a 2+ to hit with his primary attacks, and that the farmer needs a nat 20.

As I said, 53 is greater than 19, showing that 'a fighter won't ever be worse off' as very far from true.

Did you also post proof of how many of those 400 attacks would be critical threats? We'll even be nice and assume he's using a weapon with only a Nat 20 crit range.

Funny thing is, those characters only have a 5% chance to not confirm the crit.

I will say that I have no problem with fumble rules as long as each player can "opt out" of being subjected to them. That way the people who think they're lulz-tastic have their fun w/o making those who feel....differently... suffer.

But that's never how it works out, is it? It's always a forced-upon you sort of deal. Or "it's not fair to the group if someone isn't subject to fumbles."

I have never seen "optional" fumble rules. It's always in the end the other players or the DM forcing the player(s) who don't like fumbles to be miserable.

If you're "miserable" with the rules then I would drop them all together. But if you sit at my table, see the decks, get up and walk away, to hell with you. At that point it boils down to disrespect. Talk to me, and if I come off as a jackass, I wasn't worth your time. Works both ways for me.

So to fix poor house rules you add more house rules and then some more on top of that so that it will at least effect casters some?

Lol so stacking loads of house rules to force something 100% unnecessary and unintended to be in the system shouldn't be a red flag to people? Yeah...

It's an accessory written by the company who makes the rules, it's as intended as the GM for a homebrew wants them to be. They make the game more fun for my group. If my group didn't want them, I wouldn't use them. You're arbitrarily deciding that the people who do use them are bad GMs, and that is flat-out wrong. You're sticking the people who are bad GMs in with people who use those decks, when in reality those people are bad GMs for several reasons, not the least of which listening to the players as a group who don't want the decks. And all I did was offer solutions to your problems with using the decks.

I wouldn't use fumbles or crits on CMB checks, but different system, different ideas, I suppose.

One solution to the casters would be to make the natural 20s on saves made by creatures a fumble threat to the caster. By the same token, a natural 1 becomes a crit threat to the creature.

One thing that annoys me about this conversation is the assumption that a GM using the Fumble deck is automatically a bad GM. All of the issues that were named off are something that can be fixed. Assuming we're in a fight with that farmer, the only possible way to confirm a fumble is two consecutive 1s. I'm no mathematician, but aren't the odds for that pretty low?

A fighter gets more likely to hit as he grows in level. You can use your full BAB when doing a fumble roll. The other thing my group does(as we use both the crit deck and the fumble deck) is we allow the use of "banked" crit cards to negate a critical fumble. So if you are fighting goblin #5, and crit him, instead of wasting a crit, you kill the creature with normal damage, and bank the crit card to not fumble yourself later on.

Not liking crit/fumble rules is fine, but trashing those who do use them is frankly uncalled for. If you're going to be anal enough to walk away from the table just because I use the cards, you weren't worth being there in the first place.

"We've wasted enough time at the last inn with the Sheriff and his games. Let us continue. However, I need to make it clear before any of us falls exhausted. If you feel you cannot push on any more, say so. I'll not be carrying anyone who was foolish enough to not know their own limits."

So the plan for the moment is to finish the mission in Darkmoon Vale, and then go from there? Are we heading for an AP or something in particular?

Aldaara walks with the rest of the group for a moment, then takes a moment to look back at the inn. She stares at it for a moment, shakes her head, and continues on with the rest of the group, mostly in silence.

I'm GMing RotRL so that won't work. Shackled City sounds like it could be a lot of fun. However my character would very much want to finish the mission that she has started. Perhaps afterwards?

Happy Hallow's Eve. Probably the last person in this game to see it. :P

Aldaara purses her lips in contemplation for a moment before speaking.

"I didn't get that vibe off of the Sheriff as working with that vile Grelm...In fact, I feel he's more embarrased at his own incompetence than anything else. I'm also under the impression that after he gave us our 'Mission', he went to deal with the gnome. Dispensing justice, and whatnot...At any rate, I don't believe going to see the mayor is necessary. I feel that Colwin's original plan, at least for the time being, is the best one."

Aldaara is not amused by Horfil's "joke". She decides to let the matter go, and watches as Kensington, Horfil, and Leotian play their game. She instead turns her eyes to Colwin, and watches him rub his temples. She holds a slight grin on her face, and speaks to him in a low voice.

"Stressed? I know of the technique. It's a good one. Try to relax a bit. Everyone has their ways of stress relief." She gestures out towards the rest of the party playing their game. "I must admit, I haven't been the kindest to you throughout the course of our adventure, but you've showed me that you actually have a spine, when the situation calls for it."She pats him on the shoulder. "I apologize for being uncouth to you at times. It takes quite a bit of effort on my part to treat a man with dignity and respect."She bows her head for a moment towards him in apology, then moves her eyes back to the game.

Listening to Colwin give his course of action, she stares at the ground for a moment in silent thought, then glances back up at him.

"I have no desire to go against the wishes of the local law, but I must admit, even I find this entire situation to be quite...queer. Killing anyone is simply out of the question-" She gives Horfil a sharp glance before continuing. "but perhaps Colwin gives a sound alternative. After all, I may be a Paladin, but I am not stupid, and this whole situation reeks of wrong. I will not be cajoled into doing these men a favour for nothing. It is neither good, nor right."

With the battle over, Aldaara sheaths her blade. She places a hand on Horfil's forearm and gives him a meaningful look. Relax. She then turns to the sheriff.

"Why don't we allow the Sheriff to continue his investigation? I give my honor, upon the grace of Iomedae, that we will give the dagger to it's rightful owner, whoever that may be. So what would be the harm in allowing us to hold onto it, Sheriff? After all, we've nothing to worry about. I, for one, know that the dagger belongs to us, and I'm sure that when the investigation concludes, you'll see the same thing. Now, I think we all need a moment to gather ourselves and settle down. This has been a stressful couple of minutes, for everyone."

Diplomacy Check. 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Though surprised by the sudden attack, Aldaara's reflexes kick in and she withdraws her longsword, moving quickly towards the bird. After moving into position next to Kensington, she brings her blade down on the attacking owl.

Move next to Kensington. I have 20 feet of movement, and hopefully I need only make a single diagonal movement. Then I'm going to two-handed strike the owl with my longsword.

Attack Roll: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

If hit: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Aldaara, used to the smell of horses and all that comes with it, gives it only a passing glance. She folds her arms across her chest as the others do the investigating. This is quickly becoming tedious for the narrow-minded paladin.

As she walks about with the investigating party, a thought occurs to her. "Sheriff, what happens when we find the dagger? Assuming whoever stole the dagger is caught -" She shoots Grelm a look. "The fact remains that the dagger has a rightful owner. Were you just going to hand it over after the investigation concludes?"

At this point I'm trying to play the narrow-minded character that Aldaara is, and allowing the others to take point. You're doing fine, don't mind me.

Aldaara follows about, somewhat absent-minded as she never was good at paying attention to detail. She remembered getting chided constantly during her training as a Paladin, but simply never picked up the skill. Her abilities rested on the battlefield, and sometimes during negotiations and social situations. She believes the investigation is a waste of time, as she's already made up her mind as to who she believes the culprit is.

Investigating was never Aldaara's strong suit. She simply stands back and allows others to ask the questions, while watching their reactions to make her own assumptions.

Sense Motive on Grelm. 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Sense Motive on Sara. 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Sense Motive on Farmer. 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

She stares at the sheriff intently, folding her arms across her chest. "You mean to tell me you lost the knife? Unbelievable." She shakes her head, and glances at the other four individuals against the wall, and then at Horfil.

"Very well, I have little to add to your case. I went upstairs to my room shortly after the debacle in the tavern. I had a small dinner, and went to sleep. Kensington can attest to that. I personally believe that my companion Horfil did not take the dagger. I've known him for a short while, but I do believe he is an honourable man." Rare as that may be... At this point, Aldaara walks over to Grelm and stares him down. She begins speaking to him, in a low voice only the two of them could hear.

"And what of you, little man? You wanted the dagger for yourself, so who's to say you didn't take it? You started this entire mess, perhaps you wanted to finish it. Iomedae doesn't take kindly to thieves. If I do find out that you did steal the dagger, well...Just understand my mercy has limits. Stop wasting everyone's time, and tell them where you took the dagger. You'll suffer the sheriff's wrath, but at least it won't be mine."

Intimidate Check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

I've never dealt with the party leader dynamic either, but I'm interested in giving it a shot. I don't think it will screw things up too much. Another reason was I wanted to show my character wasn't just a constant stick in the mud, and that you can work with her a bit.

Aldaara, already awake in the morning, gathers her things and armors herself. She goes downstairs, keeping silent as she does so.

She snickers a bit at the comment Leotian made. "Well I appreciate your candour, little one. As for you..."She turns to Horfil.

"I meant no disrespect. Some of the greatest warriors are, in fact, mercenaries. I suppose I should have stated that I have experience commanding trained soldiers of the faith. Besides, though you may have experience on the battlefield, I doubt the rest of our companions do."

Her eyes glance over to Colwin, and she continues speaking. "Don't think of it as a leader then. As you said, you weren't joining an army. However, if we are going to succeed, we need to work as a team. That's the name of the game. I'm sure you won't ignore orders out of spite, and no one expects you to obey anything unreasonable. I just hope no one gets hurt because you were 'considering the suggestion'." Aldaara gives Colwin a cold stare, before moving past him. She takes her pack from the floor and lifts it over her shoulder, before climbing the steps.

"Well I suppose Kensington and I will be sharing a room tonight. Better get some sleep. I'm assuming we're going to have a long day tomorrow..." She trails off, making her way to her room.

After the fire has been settled, Aldaara turns to the lawman. After her companions and the lawman has had a chance to speak, she takes her turn. "I understand, officer. You were simply trying to keep the peace. As it was, these gentlemen, and that lady over there-" She takes a moment to point over at the burned/burning lady. "-decided to attack us in a moment of greed. It was merely an act of self-defense. You have my apologies that events were escalated in such a way.

She glances over at her companions. "I cannot speak for them, but I would like you to know that you have my full cooperation. If you'll excuse me for a moment?"

She goes back to her companions, joining in the conversation they've started. "I understand the need for a leader. Perhaps Kensington wouldn't be a bad choice, if she feels up to it. I must admit, my...feelings about some of you may seem biased and unfair. I do have some experience leading, but that is a group of trained soldiers, clerics, and paladins, not...mercenaries, such as we are." She then turns to Kensington.

"Out of everyone here, you are the only one I can place myself behind. I assume the men will have a problem with me as a leader, so why not do it yourself? After all, one must follow before they can lead, and you appear to be ready for the next step. What say you?" Aldaara has a warm smile on her face.

Diplomacy check on the sheriff. 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

EDIT: Oy...Perhaps I came off a little harshly to the sheriff, seeing as he is a man...

EDIT2: Stop Ninjaing me!

We're all actually unarmed, so no attacks of opportunity. Unless we were Monks. :P

Aldaara, hearing the voice of a man of the law, quickly stops fighting, and moves to put the fire out. She scrambles for any nearby non-alcoholic liquids, and begins trying to douse the fire with them. Smothering the fire never occurs to her.

"Someone stop that man!" She shouts, pointing an arm at Grelm as he tries to escape.

According to the rules, grease is not flammable.

Aldaara grits her teeth in anger, and attempts to wrap her arms around the man's shoulder, trying to grapple him into submission. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way, and believe me, you don't want to make it the hard way! CALM DOWN!" She shouts at the man, trying to wrestle him down.

Grapple attempt: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Just a side note, inflammable means able to catch fire. I don't think that's what you were intending.

Seeing the man attack Kensington, Aldaara chastises herself. You were expecting that! Why weren't you ready? Responding to the man's attack, she thrusts a foot at the man, aiming for his abdomen. She then quickly raises her hands up and assumes a defensive posture.

Attack roll, Unarmed: 1d20 ⇒ 12

If hit: 1d2 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 Do you add strength to unarmed, non-lethal strikes? I can't remember.

I think that's more of a bluff...

She rises from the table as the mercenaries approach, glancing down just to make sure that her shield is within easy reach should the need come up. Also keeping her hand away from her sheathed longsword(at the moment), she stares into the eyes of the one that approached them. She grins at them. "Her skills of deduction are good, yes? She brings a valid point. How could you possibly know she had the dagger unless you followed us? I'm going to spell it out for you. The 'Company of the Black Banner' is outnumbered. We're all very capable in a fight. Especially me, when it comes to snobby, overbearing men like you." This last comment ends in a snarl for Aldaara.

"Take your men, sit down and tend to your drinks. You wouldn't want a fight with us on your hands."

Intimidate Check. 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

She glances at the chair Colwin brought out for, and without taking a second look, slides a chair out next to Kensington and sits down. As he makes the offer about paying anyone's way, Aldaara gives him a hard look, and with nothing but a curt shake of the head, gives him her answer. Her eyes glance about the room, just a quick observation of what the situation is, when her eyes land upon the group that is watching them. She turns back towards her companions.

"Don't look now, but at the table directly behind me, a group is watching us. I don't know what their intent is, but keep your wits about you." She slings the pack off of her, and places it on the floor next to her, keeping care enough to leave the shield at the top of the pack, in case she needed to grab it quickly enough.

Colwin, I thought your heaven comment was a lame attmept at a pick-up line. hehe

Take mine from the board, please.

Let's roll with it and see how it comes up.

"Parents fell down from hea...what? What exactly are you rattling on about?" Aldaara doesn't stop walking, moving down the road towards the inn. She doesn't even look at him while speaking, instead keeping her eyes forward on the road.

"I never even knew my parents. That's the rule of my sect. Your in at birth, or as close to it as you can be. I haven't the faintest of where the woman is, or even what she looks like. I wouldn't recognize her if I saw her. She put me with them for a reason. Probably had something to do with the man who sired me." She glances back behind her, possibly about to say something, but instead holds her tongue.

"We really must be moving."

By the way, this is under the assumption that you're walking behind me.

During the ceremony, Aldaara bows her head solemnly. She thinks this method of funeral is silly, but she says nothing. Respect for other religions, so long as they aren't evil, after all. During the particularly gruesome beginning, her face is set in stone. She's seen horrific deaths before, many of which from her own hands.

When the ceremony is finished, Aldaara glances about to her companions. "Let us continue. Too much time has been wasted already, and I'd very much like to reach the inn not too long after nightfall."

With a curt nod, Aldaara agrees. "Let us perform this sky burial then. A large stone should be laying about somewhere. We must be quick, however. We've already suffered enough of a delay." She takes the moment to place the hobgoblin back over her shoulder.

"The rest of you can move more quickly than I. I'll keep on the road. When you find a proper stone, come back and find me. Then we will perform this ceremony."

Past their previous plight, Aldaara, still carrying the hobgoblin, turns to the rest of the group. "Now that the dogs are behind us, what to do with the creature?" She gestures by shrugging the shoulder that the creature is rested upon.

"Though the creature's species is a uncivilized lot, perhaps this particular one was no evil beast. Should we give it a proper burial?"

Don't worry about it. I'm not actually upset or anything.

I thought the sleeping dogs were right next to the glint in the bush, and thus Kensington would be right next to them.

Seeing the dogs stir, while still holding the hobgoblin stuffed blanket, Aldaara tenses up a bit. She puts her free hand on her blade, preparing to draw it.

"We need to move. Those dogs are going to awaken soon. Then we're going to have a fight on our hands. Kensington. Hurry!"

She shakes her head at Kensington, and takes the blanket from her. She then moves past Colwin without even giving him a look. Kneeling to the ground, she wraps the blanket about the hobgoblin, before hoisting him up over her shoulder.

Just wondering, what exactly is the plan for the dead hobgoblin? Also, don't forget about the glint in the bush. I'm almost certain I'd fail to see it.

"Stop wasting time!" Aldaara barks out at Horfil and Leotian. "Feel free to play dog trainer on your own time, but not on mine. Taking an animal, feral such as he is, is frankly too dangerous for the rest of us. How are we to know when the mutt will bite the hand that feeds it? Perhaps he will grow hungry during the night and plan to have a bite, when it's the dog's turn to 'keep watch'."

She turns to Kensington, and stretches out a hand. Speaking somewhat more calmly to her, she asks "May I have that blanket now, please?"

Hehe, barks. No pun intended.

Aldaara nods to Kensington and moves in front of Colwin as he examines the body. Knowing that her attention to detail can leave something to be desired, she simply watches as Colwin examines the body. "What did you find?"

Aldaara watches intently, waiting to see exactly what the dog is going to do. "I'd prefer not to shed an animal's blood, but if we must we must. Seeing as the ranger has experience with feral animals such as these, I defer to him at the moment." She cringes as she says this last part. Defer to him? What a queer situation you've got yourself into, Aldaara.

Keeping her hand on the hilt of her sword the entire time, but not yet drawn, Aldaara circles around the dog as he moves towards Leotian. She watches the dog the entire time, waiting for some indication that things have turned badly. As she circles the dog, she gets closer and closer to it's packmates, and more importantly, the hobgoblin corpse.

Essentially, what I'm doing is moving about the dog so that I don't provoke an attack of opportunity, whilst moving towards the corpse. I've readied an action to pull out my blade and strike if the dog moves to attack. For roleplaying purposes, I've not yet drawn my blade, but I'm doing that as part of a move action.

"Absolutely not. That will only make it harder to deal with them, if that's what the case shall be. We'll just have to wait and see if the ranger's attempts are successful.

Noticing the dog's snarl as she takes a step forward, Aldaara pulls back. Placing a wary hand on the hilt of her sword, she stares down the dogs intently, prepared for any dangers. Glancing back at Colwin, she rolls her eyes a bit. Men.

Using her voice at no more than a whisper, she speaks to her companions that are within earshot. "It appears as though Le-...the ranger may have things under control. Be cautious. If need be, I will charge in the front."

Unless we start at level 2, I have no healing. Colwin I am all good for some old fashioned awkward romantics. Character sheet is officially up btw.