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Fire up your voidjammer's engines and prepare your rifter crew for adventure.
HYPERSTORM is a science fiction role-playing game about explorers and treasure hunters who go boldly beyond the final frontier - into the Hyperstorm.
I want share with you a Finnish RPG project called Hyperstorm RPG that is a upcoming game from Finnish roleplaying publisher called Ironspine. In 2006, Ironspine published a science fiction roleplaying game called Heimot (eng. Tribes) that was somewhat popular in Finnish roleplaying scene. It was hard covered, high value book. Main focus of the game was mankind's future, heroes were outcasts of their tribes who tired to make living in world where prejudices between mankind and aliens (and even between different human tribes!) made everything hard. Relics from humanity's glorious days would make someone very rich but risk them to many dangers. Heimot landed somewhere between Firefly and Dunes if I had to compare its setting to something.
Now Ironspine is making a reboot game to Heimot and it will be in English. Hyperstorm.com has additional information about the game, I like this quote a lot as it tells much about what they are trying to accomplish:
Quote:
Outer Space Wreck Crawling
The core idea of this game concept is to transfer the well-tested idea of dungeon crawling into outer space. Instead of dungeons, the heroes in this game will be exploring wrecks. In game terms, wrecks can be anything from crash-landed space ships, wrecked space stations, and abandoned colony settlements to mysterious enigmas or other alien ruins.
The wrecks are more often than not dangerous places, with terrible creatures, clever traps and other dangers such as leaking reactors, rogue nano-swarms or weird dimensional anomalies waiting for the hapless explorer.
Depending on what you want to make of it, the adventures can be just simple blast & slash looting, or the characters can get entangled in galactic conspiracies or take sides in the on-going conflicts between different factions.
Hyperstorm will go to crowdsourcing in sometime, you can find the plan for this project from this blog post (pre-order means IndieGogo or something similar). I'll keep this topic updated as we go into future so you won't miss anything about this project.
As you probably can see, I'm pretty hyped about Hyperstorm RPG. It is because of many things: Heimot is one of my favorite games and settings, Ironspine is great publisher and I really like their games. Their latest game, Astraterra, was just sold out here in Finland just a year after its publishing. I encourage you to check out the website, Hyperstorm RPG to read about the game, setting and to be amazed by the art the game will have.
I went to see this last Wednesday and ou boy what show it was. Like Dazylar said, this movie is well written, acting is good and balance between action-dialogue-humor is working well. Evans did great job as Cap, solid performance that made Cap feel more like Cap than in previous movies. Also writing makes that happen, Cap is fighting for freedom against oppression and behind the scenes manipulation. When we add Black Widow and her working ethics to that, we have some conflict which makes sense (SHIELD's "secrets has secrets"). Scarlet is really at the top of her acting in this one, she is much more than before.
I'm loving the Falcon. Good actor and great writing and scenes for him in this movie. He is funny but not just comic relief and he gets some really cool moments in movie. Hopefully we get to see more of him in the future.
Action scenes work well and they feel "superheroy". Sometimes I noticed to be on the edge of my seat when action went forward. That is saying much about how good action was, I'm more than often sitting perfectly still when in movie theater. Maybe it was because Winter Soldier was really great villain or that action scenes were also well written. High stakes and people got killed, which for me works as added realism.
It was great to see how this movie links itself to some previous movies and Agents of SHIELD but not Avengers. Ironman 3 and Thor the Dark World had many nods and links to Avengers movie but it was nice to see that it isn't really necessary.
Hopefully I have chance to see this movie for second time to realize all plot points and twists. I highly recommend this movie.
In a party of rogue, cad fighter/shadow dancer and druid I find my monk being useful in combat and social situations. In combat my qinggong 4 winds monk can be tough front liner with toughness/lots of hp druid or mobile as rogue when needed. When using elemental fist with efreet style he hits the hardest, par maybe the rogue when he crits and gets SA. Also in campaign where heavy armors are very rare, the monk gets to shine. Outside of combat my monk can be lie detector with high sense motive, search engine thanks to high perception, scout with no armor or go-to-guy when information about history or religion is needed. Intimidate is my social skill, not very good at it but often role playing covers that area.
I'm enjoying playing the monk. He fits to party, is very self-sufficient and as others have said before: being versatile is the key. Also preparing for adventure like buying potions and oils can really help the monk around if there are no buffers in party.
I also have some conversions/level ups made for key NPCs but some of the info is in Finnish. I can put a download link here in about couple of days if people are interested about seeing them. I have leveled up Spivey and Kelda too so there is something that magnuskn awesome level ups don't have.
Pathfinder Tales Superstar - a compilation of the best short stories submitted by amateurs, judged by the fans and a board of Pathfinder Tales authors.
Why oni need pearls? They want everything in the material world, feel it, own it and corrupt it. What would make them more happy than corrupting "Queen of Gems" that is also symbol of love, protection, purity and wisdom. Why need so many pearls? From historical point of view I would say that they need corrupted pearls as lucky charm that will protect them (knights in middle ages often wore pearls for good luck and protection). or they could be preparing some sort of ritual to find Amatatsu heir using pearls. As Shosaito is maybe the pearl merchant of Minkai it is pretty logical to team up with him. I don't think Shosaito really cared about his pearls, they are merchandise for him.
Pathfinder novel Master of Devils spoilers:
Spoiler:
In Master of Devils there is a dragon whose heart is one single pearl that can grant one wish. Maybe oni are trying to create their own version of this wish-granting pearl? I might use this as I presented Burning Cloud Devil to my group even thought only one player has read the book. Might be fun to watch his horror when he realizes why oni are collecting pearls..
Just found the series and I'm having a blast reading these books! In about three weeks I have read the first three of the series (Grave Peril being my favorite) and now I'm reading Summer Knight which looks promising. Like someone on the first page of this topic said, Michael is awesome. Cultural references are always funny and Butcher has really nice writing style.
If you are interested about The Dresden Files series, start reading. You won't regret.
Regarding the Withered Blossom Warriors: Did I miss something or...
do they lack their Rogue Talent in the stat block? And if they actually wear do-maru they can't use their Acrobatic skill and Evasion, do they?
I gave them Assault Leader as Rogue Talent and leather lamellar as armor.
^Scharlata did notice it and had a suggestion for it: assault leader. It's nice addition to Warriors as is changing do-maru to leather lamellar if it bothers you that Warriors can't use evasion. In my game I ahve almost no reason to change armor (Warriors hardly need Evasion with my group) but that rogue trick is almost must have thing. Bleeding Attack (CRB) and Offensive Defense (APG) are nice options too.
Here are some treasures that I designed for my party. I got idea for these from Ice Titan how made some awesome books/journals. Check them here. Here are my versions for my party:
Lessons of Many Ways by Amatatsu Hideoyri
Spoiler:
Wise man is able to cut nothing with his katana is the main lessons in this book that tells to sword-user how to cut things that aren't normally cut with steel sword. Reader gains following benefits after reading this book:
At 4th level warrior wielding katana gets ability to break DR/cold iron with his sword. At 7th level warrior can perform non-lethal attacks with his sword without normal -4 penalty. At 10th level warrior gets ability to break DR/adamantine with his sword.
This goes to samurai of my group. Player said that he wants samurai's ancestral weapon to be important to the end of campaign as his katana has name (sakuragami).
Style of Free Fist by Amatatsu Ha'Ouken
Spoiler:
This journal tells the story of Amatatsu ninja Ha'Ouken whose duty was to protect Amatasu Emperor form harm. He performed this duty with his fists, without need to use other weapons. Journal contains lessons how to master his fighting style. Also there are some notes about dirtier tricks "that are sometimes necessary to protect someone important to you". After reading the journal, reader gains following benefits:
At 4th level, reader gets ability to break DR/magic with his bare fists. At 7th level, reader get Knockout Artist feat for free. At 10th level, reader can add his Dex-modifier (if any) to damage of his unarmed strikes.
This journal is for "ninja" of my group. He really isn't ninja, more combat oriented rogue who uses his fists as main weapon. Dirty tricks are mentioned because player doesn't want to choose ki-tricks because his character has no grasp on such things.
Songs of Nightgale by Amatatsu Reiko
Spoiler:
This songbook contains different kinds of song from Dragon Empires, collected by famous Amatatsu singer. One can benefit learning these songs only if reader has bardic performance-ability. After learning the songs, reader gains following benefits:
At 4th level, reader learns song about hummingbird who hurries to defend her nest from attackers. (Reader learns Triple Time masterpiece for free. Activating this masterpiece is only a move action but you can use it only 1/3 lvl times per day (min. 1/day).
At 7th level song named Thousand Notes teaches new spells to reader. (Reader can choose 5 spell levels of spells to his spells known list).
At 10th level reader knows song of Kamaitachi and gaining some of its speed to himself. (Reader gets Requiem of Fallen Priest-King mastepiece for free).
As you may have guess, this songbook is for the bard. Giving her some masterpieces free is main thing I want to do as player said that any of them doesn't fit to his character. I changed the story behind masterpiece so it would be more appealing to her. Bard is ulffen savage skald to should I change Tian-theme of songs?
I need comments about these items. I know they are powerful but I only have three players so that isn't really a problem. Are these items in balance between each other or is one of them weaker/stronger that other? All comments are welcome.
I like them overall. I'm curious about the strength of a cavelier without a mount. I realise they have mounts but they are rarely encountered in a way that mounts will come into play.
Funny thing is that cavaliers don't need mounts to be effective. Okay they have abilities that work only when mounted but taking right feats (not mounted combat) you can make them work like paladins of some sort. Only order of Sword have order abilities relating to mounted combat but Lion cavaliers (that fits perfectly to Gray Maidens) it's bonus to AC (against challenged foe), bonus against fear and to hit. These are lower abilities, later (in the Crown of Fangs) you can bring level 9 cavaliers which have "For the King/Queen" ability that really rocks (bonus equal of your CHA bonus to hit and damage for 1 round and only once in combat per cavalier BUT there are always many Gray Maidens so that bonus is almost always there) and makes them harder foes. I have present Gray Maidens very tactical and disciplined troops (and Sabina Merrin as tactical genius behind them).
Cavaliers in my game based on those behind my previous link but I made some modifications (as I don't like Dazzling Display).
3th level:
Spoiler:
Gray Maidens
Female human cavalier 3
LE Medium humanoid (Chelaxian)
Init +1; Senses Perception -1
defense
AC 21, touch 11, flat-footed 20; (+8 armor, +1 Dex, +2 shield) Remember! +2 AC if next to another Gray Maiden!
hp 25 (3d10+9)
Fort +5, Ref +2, Will +2
offense
Spd 20 ft. (base 30 ft.)
Melee mwk longsword +7 (1d8+2)
Ranged mwk composite longbow +5 (1d8+2/x3)
Special Attacks cavalier’s charge, challenge 1/day (+3 damage, +1 dodge bonus to AC), lion’s call (+2 on saves vs. fear, +1 on attacks)
statistics
Str 14, Dex 12, Con 15, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 15
Base Atk +3; CMB +5, CMD 16
Feats Shield Wall (twb), Iron WillB, Quick Draw, Weapon Focus (longsword)
Skills Acrobatics -3, Climb +1, Intimidate +8, Knowledge (local) +4, Knowledge (nobility) +6 (+1 involving Queen Ileosa), Ride +6
Languages Taldane
SQ mount, order of the lion, tactician 1/day
Gear mwk half-plate, mwk heavy steel shield, mwk longsword, mwk composite longbow [Str +2], arrows (20)
And 9th level version:
Spoiler:
Gray Maidens
Female human cavalier 9
LE Medium humanoid (Chelaxian)
Init +1; Senses Perception -1
defense
AC 24, touch 11, flat-footed 23; (+11 armor, +1 Dex, +2 shield) Remember! +2 AC if next to another Gray Maiden! AND +3 AC vs. challenged foe
hp ~95 (9d10+36)
Fort +12, Ref +5, Will +5
offense
Spd 20 ft. (base 30 ft.)
Melee mwk longsword +13/+8 (1d8+3), power attack: +10/+5 (1d8+9) 17-20/x2 +4 to confirm
Ranged mwk composite longbow +10/+5 (1d8+2/x3)
Special Attacks cavalier’s charge, challenge 2/day (+9 damage, +3 dodge bonus to AC), lion’s call (+3 on saves vs. fear, +1 on attacks), Banner (+1 vs. Fear, +1 to hit at charge) FOR THE QUEEN! (+3 to hit and +3 dmg 1/round) Someone shouts this every turn.
statistics
Str 14, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 16
Base Atk +9/+4; CMB +11, CMD 22 (25 vs. challenger)
Feats Shield Wall (twb), Iron WillB, Quick Draw, Weapon Focus (longsword), Power Attack, Imp. Critical (longsword), Great Fortitude, Critical Focus, Outflank
Skills Acrobatics +5, Climb +7, Intimidate +12, Knowledge (local) +8, Knowledge (nobility) +10 (+14 involving Queen Ileosa), Ride +10
Languages Taldane
SQ mount, order of the lion, tactician 1/day
Gear +2 full plate, mwk heavy steel shield, +1 longsword, mwk composite longbow [Str +2], arrows (20)
Okay I have to say that without outnumbering level 14 PCs these can't hold against them but luckily that isn't the point. As I hope that players won't slaughter them (as it would make rebels look bad even evil) so players should use non lethal damage against them but Maides are aiming to kill/disable the characters. These are well trained professionals and use For the Queen every time and they fight as team: trying to surround foes (for Outflank) and still use their Shield Wall feat. Barbarian (14th level), Necromancer (14th level, joined fight some time later than two other) and cleric/holy vindicator (8/6) won against five high level maides in three to five rounds. Maides saves doesn't help against DCs over 20..
Okay this is enough about Gray Maides. Using them as cavaliers rocks and you don't need horses under them..
Let them face riding Sabina for couple of rounds to make them scared about riding cavaliers.
Do you have any suggestions that would make it "creepy-er"?
First thing come to my mind is that try to time PCs arrival to Manor at the evening: "Darkness falls and you can hear music soming from Manor and see silhoutes trought curtains. They are dancing but noneone comes to open the door when you knock." Jolistana could command zombies to play creepy dancing music* which would add nice feel to whole scene. Elf acting as "prom queen" would also be cool..
Some zombies (maybe musicians?) should be fast zombies as Rolf could create scroll of haste to his underling. Makes battle bit more dangerous. If you have more than three players (as I think you have) make manor bigger. My players felt that there weren't enough space to do anything else than run to upstairs to catch the mad elf. If you want your party to fight against zombies change place of the stairs to other side of the building so they are forced to fight against them. As you can read my players run to upstairs as fast as they could.
Later aren't much of suggestions how to make Manor creepyer but I thought those might be useful. Manor sub-plot isn't great but if you handle it better than I did you could make it memorable encounter.
Hi, I'm Blue_Hill and this is my campaing log for next AP I'm running to my gaming group. Curse of the Crimson Throne is coming and Korvosa is in danger and new heroes are needed. I've run Rise of the Runelords campaign twice in 1.5 years and played in Second Darkness and Council of Thieves so starting new AP as GM is really exciting. I've read material through couple of times through and overall plot is familiar to me. Still I'm bit nervous but in a good way.
I've six players in my group and I haven't run anything to group this big. All of the players are my friends and know them very well so no problem. Only thing that concerns me is that my players haven't played together ever before. Most of them have but not all and there are really different people around the table. I'm trusting my players that there won't be player versus player conflicts but human nature is hard to predict, especially when in group.
I'm not using many spoiler tags in this log so if you are going to play this AP don't continue reading this. This AP is really good so don't spoil your fun reading what my group did.
Next my PC's. Important thing no notice is that we are using classes as mechanic to something else. Like bounty hunter could be same as ranger or fighter, spy is bard or rogue. To save some space I'm using spoilers with caharacter descriptions.
Wizard:
Spoiler:
Ocham "the Quak" human necromancer. Ocham was framed killing some fisherman and was kicked out of the Acamadae. In a edge of madness he was saved by friend but his personality changed and he became a doctor using really weird methods no talent to healing magic whatsoever. Lives in Old Korvosa.
Barbarian:
Spoiler:
It's not Curse of the Crimson Throne campaign without shoanti barbarian. Adolamin "Guardian" Hawksoar from Tamiir-Quah was born on a fateful night 28 years ago when his father defeated attacking orc horde from Hold of Belkzen. Spirits of his dead kin moved to son of their leader and he lives carrying their will. (Spirit Totem and in future Spirit Totem rage powers). Came to Korvosa with Thousand Bones and is now on a personal mission.
Cleric:
Spoiler:
Ragnar Ironbreaker, dwarf cleric of Abadar. Exiled from Janderhoff (was framed by other dwarf) to Korvosa with his son Alrik. Found Abadar as deity and became servant to Master of the First Vault. Alrik disapperead five years ago and Ragnar has veeb looking for him since and still hopes to find him. Now woman named Zellara contacted him that she might have a clue about Alrik.
Bard:
Spoiler:
Faenor, human bard. Classic rocker story. Faenor was born in Korvosa and have lived his life there mainly alone. His varisian mother died when he was eight and father when he was sixteen and had found his talent for singing. Performed for living and found drugs. Mysterious man offered him Shiver and his career started to crash. "Treatment" by Ocham the Quak made him to get rid off drugs and he started to perform again. Faenor wants to repay this man who offered him shiver, Gaedren Lamm.
Oracle:
Spoiler:
Mevanthalyn Dagethos Tugathalion, female elf oracle of Battle. Born in Mierani Forest to assistants of elven ambassador of Korvosa. Living her life in Mierani and after big battle against invading goblinoid and ogre army he was cursed by spirits but was saved by mysterious elven woman. After that she became avatar of battle. she trusts Calistira when she needs speed and finesse, Cayden Cailean when she needs courage and Gorum when she needs pure strenght. Moved to Korvosa to found killer of her father 30 years ago and has served as bodyguard to new assistant since (who is her cousin). She found human lover but he was killed three years ago by man Gaedren Lamm and want to avenge him. Zellara contacted her also about knowing about Gaedren Lamm.
Rogue:
Spoiler:
Story not ready. From Magnimar is last info is still correct.
We are using Core rulebook and APG (some parts, I'm not great fan of new metamagic feats) and I'm using GameMastery Guide to many things. I can't say that this campaign is low-fantasy but I'm trying to modify rules about bying magic items and so on but only this campaign will show those modifications will work. I'm tired of this "show me the list of items I can buy from this city"-style of handling.
First session will be next Tuesday so stay tuned!
Lastly I have to show my gratitude to Brutesquad07. Campaign logs made by him have been great inspiration to me and I suggest that if you are going to GM this Ap you should read them.
