Yes, I apologize. I haven't been able to get my feet under me enough to continue the campaign. I forgot how much work a good GM job is. Feel free to call this dead.
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Just letting you all know that I haven't given up. I've got a lot of work that keeps on growing, and I am giving that priority. But when it involves coming in early and phone calls late into the night, I am swamped. Once things clear up, I will continue. Hopefully sooner rather than later.
Shin watches nervously as the door creaks open slightly, and a small green malicious face emerges. The goblin, still straining to open the door, looks directly at Shinrin in the middle of casting, says, "Ooh, pretty hair!" but gets shut back behind the door, taking a single strand of the witch's locks with him.
Krissina looks around, wondering about windows on the second floor, if any, or the chimney, or perhaps a cellar door, but only knows of the front and kitchen doors. Korrum listens intently at the door, clearly hearing telltale chuckling on the other side of the door. Shinrin's hair pushes back as the kitchen door is bashed against! Kitchen Door rolls:
Delara climbs above the front door and waits.... As the door bursts open to reveal a small swarm of goblins! The sound of horses whinnying in terror can be heard outside. Malachi calls out, "Not the horses!"
I'm starting to add campaign information--I've actually got a map of the Drunken Silkworm! Really basic, but it's something! Now to post in the gameplay thread and get things going!
Understood. As of right now, we've got three PCs, and I'll go forward with this group.
Tiago leaps up suddenly, demonstrating instincts based off muscle memory. He pulls the knife from his waist, and faces the wall. "Shin... Please tell me that the back door behind the kitchen is closed." Malachi places down his glass of hot water and adds, "Do you smell something?" In the sudden enforced silence, the air carries with it the sound of a little voice, creaky, from just outside. "...vengeance..." Initiative Order (which might drop):
Tiago tenses, ears and nose twitching. "Goblins. I smell goblins." Malachi carefully stands and adds, "Then I'm hiring for protecting my caravan outside."
OOC thread, for discussion and everything. Once you start posting here, I'll add you to the campaign.
Sorry about the lull, folks! I was caught in the travel snarl through the weekend. I was going from airport to airport looking for a way home. Well, I'm back, and I'll get things caught up and started. Let me know if you're still interested and I'll get the game up and running. I apologize for the lengthy delay.
Order:
And no, I'm just allowing for attrition right now. I don't expect all 9 to be in this as one group, but I am willing to split into two groups.
GM stuff:
Order:
I'm going to accept all nine remaining characters into one giant party, but if there's attrition, I won't be replacing immediately. I'll start up the play thread once we know about Daisy one way or the other (or Jan 1).
Crecimi claps her hands. "Wonderful! Let's talk about the first task. There's an endangered flower--" Tiago leaps up suddenly, demonstrating instincts based off muscle memory. He pulls the knife from his waist, and faces the wall. "Shin... Please tell me that the back door behind the kitchen is closed." Malachi places down his glass of hot water and adds, "Do you smell something?" In the sudden enforced silence, the air carries with it the sound of a little voice, creaky, from just outside. "...vengeance..."
"Oh, do not think this is just something that one person has decided on a lark," Crecimi responds. "I am here representing the Green Faith. We have contemplated this and other questions at the Moot of Ages, and have decided that the Chitterwood must grow again. It is the Will of the World." Tiago snorts. Crecimi continues, "I have been tasked to oversee the Chitterwood's rebirth. There will be other druids passing through Isger, and they will be the ones working to replant trees and care for the repopulation of the actual plants and animals. What I am looking to do now and today, is assemble a team of agents who will assist in special projects." "Special projects? Tiago blurts, "You mean killing goblins. Still plenty of those to go around. They aren't all dead, you know. Some of them survived by hiding in caves all over the Chitterwood. They've had the past decade to regain their strength. Buggers grow up fast, let me tell you." Crecimi shakes her head. "Certainly the goblins are an ongoing concern. It's not going to be easy work for our druids if they need to worry about raiders. But there's more, too. Stewardship of exotic species. The Gillamoor Plague..." "Renewal of traditional industries?" Brathan adds, hastily. "If you're talking about the silk trade, then yes, that, too. There are ways to sustainably harvest the silkworm, and so starting up the silk trade would be most welcome." Malachi rose upon hearing this. "Crecimi De Bosques, you have convinced me. I would be more than willing to assist with the operation. I have connections, and should be able to bring needed funding to this project." "Guess it's decided then, Tiago," Kirsi adds, "You're the only one here afraid of a few new trees."
Not yet, the parties are still being chosen. Not sure how many I can handle yet.
Here's the list ready for Phase 2: Thorgrund Bronsson, Dwarf Skirmisher (Torillan)
And, a few NPCs... Tiago, Local regular down on his luck
And... Begin Phase 2. A half-elf, with pale skin and heavily slanted dark eyes, clad in a green tunic over leather, scimitar by her side, walks in and proclaims, "My name is Crecimi De Bosques, and I have been tasked with the regrowth of the Chitterwood. I am looking for those who would be interested in helping." Tiago looked up, an odd sense of purpose flashing across his face. Tiago was a broken human, gaunt and scraggly, his nose broken in at least two places. He grunted and retorted, "You know why we burned it in the first place, don't you?" Brathan sighed. Well on in years, his form looked flabby, the dreary look of a man who once was fat, but could not be any longer. He shook his head from behind the counter and replied, "We lost more than just some goblin hideouts. You aren't the only person the dread cost of war touched, Tiago." Spurred to action, Kirsi quickly strode across the room to place a new mug down by Tiago. She was tall, meaty, young, fit, with a body built for a life of hard labor. "The wars were a long time ago. You old people have your thoughts on ancient history. All I know is that that "lovely forest" has been naught but a spooky source of charcoal for as long as I can remember." Malachi stayed silent during this exchange. He was a stranger, merely passing through. He sipped his water as his fingers, clad in sleeve-long white gloves, started rhythmically tapping the table before him.
Broken down and changed to your preferred formatting. Tell me if I missed anything.It all looks good, but you receive six skill ranks, not just 3, and I'd like to see a statblock for your familiar (it can just be a standard monster statblock). Yes, split out the knowledges, please. And with that, Ashtari is Approved!
Broken down and changed to your preferred formatting. Tell me if I missed anything. It all looks good, but you receive six skill ranks, not just 3, and I'd like to see a statblock for your familiar (it can just be a standard monster statblock).
And that's everybody! Ashtari, work on those skills, then you should be able to be approved as well. I'll work on things and set up Phase 2 tomorrow.
Shinrin is Approved. Could you put Quills under his/her own area, please? Not hidden under Magic?
Krissina is Approved. An interesting background!
Everything should be up to date now. If I pick up more than half a pound I'm at a medium load lol. Would you like me to reformat Ashtari? It won't be any trouble. Reformatting might be in order. It looks like you still have 3 skill ranks to spend. Format the sheet so that you're focusing on what you're choosing, and it will look a lot better.
Korrum is Approved.
Ah, thanks for catching those. Changes made.Ketomir is now completed and awaiting review.Ketomir: You don't get your WIS bonus to initiative yet; wait for 2nd level. You're also missing your Human bonus skill rank, unless you've taken an alternate racial quality, which isn't spelled out. You're also missing languages. Ketomir is Approved.
Delara is Approved. Note that claws are different from unarmed attacks, so you wouldn't get 1.5x Strength on a claw attack. (The Dragon Style feat gets you plenty more without you using your claws, anyway...) Oh, and you actually start with max gold, so you don't have to roll.
Here's the list as it stands: Thorgrund Bronsson, Dwarf Skirmisher (Torillan) Approved
Don't worry, I'll get to and finish up everyone on this list. I recognize I've been the slow one, and I won't penalize anyone just becuase I haven't reviewed you yet.
No problems, Samwise is Approved. Spell out the ability spend and saves.
Ketomir is now completed and awaiting review. Ketomir: You don't get your WIS bonus to initiative yet; wait for 2nd level. You're also missing your Human bonus skill rank, unless you've taken an alternate racial quality, which isn't spelled out. You're also missing languages.
Sorry if this is a dumb question, but what else would you like to see from me? I had believed I had everything done. Ashtari: Do you have Shards of the Past, or Mystic Past Life? It's not clear from your sheet. Please list that out along with Samsaran Magic in a Racial Abilities section. Which spell benefits from Domineering? Mention it where your trait is mentioned. Also, show the math behind your abilities and saves and list prices/weights of your equipment. Show the spending of ranks on your skills. This is why I don't like Hero Lab just as Hero Lab alone.
Updated Profile. Let me know if anything is still not to satisfaction. That works, Tamis is Approved.
Sorry if this is a dumb question, but what else would you like to see from me? I had believed I had everything done. You probably have, I just haven't fininshed my review yet. I'm juggling this with other responsibilities right now, I'm just going down the list.
1/day will be fine. I'll get you some names once I'm finished with this round of reviews. Zithembe is fine. Adding the following characters to the list: Krissina: Human Flame Oracle (spinningdice)
Witch's Knight: I will accept a Ninja Scout.
Everyone: Because I've been so busy, I'm going to push back then ending date of Phase 1 until Friday. This is the important phase; we need to get this right. Thorgrund: Note that it's the shield spikes that are masterwork and not the shield itself (it still gives you -1 ACP). Also, you have 4 gp, 6 sp, and 8 cp remaining, and that's not noted. Finally, I'd like to see the math behind your saving throws. Note for everyone that this sheet is a good way to highlight the character choices while still using Hero Lab output. I like to see the math, what was taken, what was given up, all that. With these notes, Thorgrund is Approved. Tamis: List out all the racial abilities you've chosen and class abilities you have separately. Also include abilities like Nature Sense and Academician in these lists so that your skill bonuses are called out separately--you've got both Obsessive and Academician noted on the sheet right now. I'd also like to see the math behind your ability choices. Also, your equipment. What you have is close, but not quite there. Ivan: Wrong background? Looks like it's for Curse of the Crimson Throne. Other than that, everything looks to be in order. Get the background fixed, and you'll be approved. Do you have an alias available? Daisy: Split out all racial abilities in its own separate section. Otherwise, Approved. I'm still going through everyone, but I wanted to get this started and posted. I know that there are new characters that aren't on the list. I'll keep updating this throughout the day, Here's the list as it stands: Thorgrund Bronsson, Dwarf Skirmisher (Torillan) Approved
Also, some history: The Goblinblood Wars took place from 4697-4701 AR. During this time, goblinoid tribes from many hidden places, but especially the Chitterwood, attacked and raided lands all across Avistan. At the end of the wars, much of the Chitterwood was put to the torch in an attempt to remove the remaining goblin bands. It was one of the few times that Chelaxian Hellknights and Andoran Eagle Knights willingly fought side by side. This was about 12-15 years ago. The forest was burned just over a decade ago. A large number of orphans resulted from the carnage in the wars, and a number of Asmodean charities, most notably the Sisters of the Golden Erinyes, set up monasteries and orphanages for the children. The town of Logas continues to lob boulders into the blackened Chitterwood and festoons the city walls with the corpses of goblins, all in an attempt to keep the remnant goblin forces at bay. Some photos for an idea of what the Chitterwood looks like:
Welcome, everyone! I apologize for my lack of posting over the past day. For the last two days I was working past midnight. So, although I would like a post a day, I'll be forgiving if you miss a day on occasion. And yes, I mean Hero Lab, I just never use it so I got the name wrong. Ivan's PDF is fine, I just don't want to hunt for character details on a statblock that tends to hide the decision making. And Philip0614, those statblocks are precisely what I do not want to see. Split out and spell out racial abilities, class abilities, feats, skills (and where their final bonuses come from), equipment. I will most likely not be using maps. I like them very much, but my map software skill is nonexistent. Updating a map in MS Paint is pretty much what I'm capable of. I'm going to start reviewing characters and answering questions, but to start, a list of submissions: Thorgrund Bronsson, Dwarf Skirmisher (Torillan)
Ashtari: The Lashunta was not on the list (Common, Featured, Uncommon). I'm going to have to decline the race choice.
Oh, and for everyone, don't choose the Drow Noble. I think that's it for questions for the moment, now it's time to start reviewing...
It's wide open. There are lots of reasons that someone might be willing to help out revitalizing a forest. Commercial, mercenary, arcane, what have you. There's no need to be a nature-type. And no, the campaign isn't going to be, "Cast a bunch of Plant Growth spells all day long, every day, for the next five years!" It's an adventuring party. You guys will have adventures. What will also become clear is that the regrowth of a forest involves lots of challenges that are NOT related to nature--political, logistical, the fact that it's along a trade route, all the hidden goblins, all that.
Thorgrund: Looks good to start, will review in more detail when I have the chance. Make sure the background explains why you're at the inn. Chris Parker: I'm open to it, but let's review what you have in mind beforehand. PhilOfCalth: The background looks fine, but I'd like to know what a catfolk is doing so far from home.
Thanks, Mark! I think my point here is that if the requirement is "Cast a Summon Nature's Ally spell" or "Cast a divine spell" then yes, I'd agree, the spell-like ability counts. However, since the requirement is "cast a 2nd-level divine spell" and spell-like abilities don't technically have levels, it doesn't count towards this particular requirement. A 2nd level spell indicates a particular level of learned mastery in spellcasting, and someone with a spell-like ability has not yet demonstrated that mastery. So I'm sorry if that throws a wrench into your character progression idea, Harrolayne, but I'd rather you know about it up front, before play, while you have a chance to change things.
It's still not a 2nd-level spell, though, but a spell-like ability. In any case, I'm not counting it.
Harrolayne: I'll review in detail later, but note that the Summon Nature's Ally II racial spell-like ability is not a 2nd-level divine spell (it's not a spell, either), and so does not count towards the requirements to Mystic Theurge. Feel free to tinker if this means your strategy will change.
The Drunken Silkworm is a run-down inn and tavern about four hours east of Logas in Isger, along the charred border of the Chitterwood. Although it is located along the Conerica Straits trade routes linking Cheliax, Andoran, and Druma, most travelers pass the place by--perhaps stopping for a meal, at most. The Drunken Silkworm used to be known as a major hub for the Avistani silk trade, back in the days that the silkworm flourished in the Chitterwood. Before the Goblinblood Wars. Before the Chitterwood was burned down. Now it sits, slowly decaying as trade passes it by. But, for whatever reason, you happen to be at the inn. Perhaps you stopped for an hour, perhaps you have been living there for a time. As fate would have it, you are there when evening falls and a half-elf, with pale skin and heavily slanted dark eyes, clad in a green tunic over leather, scimitar by her side, walks in and proclaims, "My name is Crecimi De Bosques, and I have been tasked with the regrowth of the Chitterwood. I am looking for those who would be interested in helping." Character Creation Guidelines: * 20 point buy.
Recruitment Method: Recruitment will occur in three phases. In Phase 1, I will be accepting characters. Any character reviewed and approved by me before 11:59pm, December 19, will enter Phase 2. Please get your submissions in! If you submit at 11pm on the 19th and I don't review it in time, you won't get in. I will be reviewing characters throughout the week and answering any questions and am willing to help you have the character you want. In Phase 2, character creation will be closed, and interaction will commence. Interact with each other, NPCs, etc. This interaction will be key, as it will lead into the next and final phase. In Phase 3, the most coherent band of characters by the end of Phase 2 will be selected as the party. The group will consist of 4-6 characters. This group should be clear from the interaction and how well the NPCs feel about the group. I -might- run a second table if I find time, but don't count on it. |