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Oh wow :(
This was one of the most dynamic and innovative games I've played in. I was enjoying the Huge-Power-Risky-To-Use dynamic that magic had in this game. Johnny Panic: I hope that you recover from the illness soon. If you want to restart the game, please message me. Titus, Sariel, John: Gentlemen, it has been an honour and a pleasure. I hope to see you all again.
Nick also runs to the window.
No good, s**t there on to us. Looks like they just dropped two guys off outside with a dish like one you see in movies that lets you listen in. I'm going to go ask them what they think there doing. Unlike his colleagues, who all spring into action in various ways, Nick prevaricates. "Magic's too dangerous this close. I guess I could try to put some sort of... wait, I don't think they're listening too us, otherwise why the security... how did they detect them?"
"Step 1. Work out what you want to know. What questions. How much detail. That'll tell us who we need."
Nick looks pleased with the praise, then pensive at the request "Maybe... You're going to need no more than a few minutes, right? In theory I can knock them out and have them forget a few minutes. Easiest way might be to just... nudge their mind, then read their surface thoughts." "I am going to need to know exactly what you want to know. In advance." "Also, I'm going to need to set up for this. That means at least half an hour. Nine would be better, but I'm guessing we don't have that." "They might be resistant. If they are... we'll need to - wait, does 'remove' mean kill them? Because we'd need to kill them. I don't mind killing Wizards and their allies, but I don't want to kill normal people. Actually, let me clarify. I don't think I should kill anyone, and I'd like us all to avoid killing normal people."
Nick sighs, double checks there's no sightlines, scans for magic, then starts talking.
Sorry missed could you recap here Nick. What research? Post #500. bottom of this page, under the spoiler "What Nick Does"Was a bit of a wall of text no-one was likely to know IC, so I hid it.
You're fast! Edited it now.
Did Nick's research pull up anything?
Sariel: I thought you said we were meeting at the park
What Nick Does:
Nick grumps out of the meeting, and heads down to the vault. There he has a relaxing nine hour nap in the only place in the world he thinks of as secure. He wakes up with a stiff neck in the pitch black of the vault, fumbles with his torch and blinks in the sudden light. 1800 miles. It’s still a fair distance. Just have to make sure I don’t get made, that’s all. I can do this. He prepares some techniques to help him, then he grabs his stuff, then heads to an office, and sets up. Carefully he looks through the information he’s got on Mr Nameless. Not much. Well, step one is the house. He’s been watching a new product by Google called Google Maps. Still got a lot of holes, but it is good for satellite imagery. Time to start having a look. Okay. So, I settle in one place. What defences do I set up? Nick starts, opens a new document and starts writing down ideas. Two hours later he stops. We’re going to try to take a Wizard on his home turf? This is crazy. I mean, crazy. In an attempt to distract himself, he starts to follow up some of the leads. Project Relic, huh? Okay. Ramona said no records survive. That doesn’t mean there’s no hints. Time to start going through the conspiracy theory sites… It takes a while for the search to run through all the firewalls and obfuscation, so while it does he sets up his next step. Now… if my money came from a trust - and that is a brilliant way to avoid unnecessary attention, must remember that - then I’d probably have set up something to warn me when people start poking into my business. That means any queries are going to have look reasonable. That means burying them in data… I think I’ll set up a class studying historical use of trusts in new york. Part of a tax avoidance training course... Next up he turns his mind to the house itself; or more accurately the invoices associated with it. Fortunately large capital expenditures tend to be reported to the banks, even if not to the government. The trick is parlaying a simple credit check into giving the information. Sariel wanted plans. Difficult… but not impossible. A lot can be deduced from the shape and structure. Especially if we have any idea what or when was purchased. He takes a few hours to go through the mountains of data. Sometime around 9am the next day someone rudely tries to push through the door. ”Occupied!” he calls out, but the individual in question pushes open the door: despite there was a chair pushed against it.
Once that annoyance is dealt with, Nick firmly fastens the door. He carefully pulls out a small silver mirror and places it on the desk, over the front of the CRT monitor. It fits beautifully - but then, it was meant to. Working down the list of people associated with the house - not Mr Nameless - he starts to work out who they are, and checks them for magic. It’s late night in New York, of course, but that works fine for Nick. The next days are a bit of a blur. He scrys on Titus as he goes into their new house, desperately looking for any trace of magic on the house or nearby suburbs. He trawls through reams of data looking for anything that might help identify people. Finally he tries scrying on the german. Finally, the day comes to bite the bullet and actually fly over. Carefully he packs his shrinkwrapped “GI JOE” kit, picks up his spellbook (cunningly bespelled to be a copy of the 2007 bestselling book “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”) and takes the flight to New York. He hires a taxi to drive him through the neighbourhood, and presses his face up against the glass as he scans for magic, surveillance and thoughts in that order. It takes a few passes, and the taxi driver gets worried Nick is some drunk looking to throw up in his taxi
Nick saunters over, eating a foot long sandwich, and sits down.
Change in focus: I liked by will alone, and started going down more of a psychic path. I've ended up changing school focus to Enchantment. Okay, so that being the case he can have done Scrying previously.
Damnit. Just realised I'm going to have to have a drowning spell: forgot that he stated he also killed by water. And he did try to hide in a mirror. SO:
revised spells:
Break
Charm Person Disguise Self Feather Fall Illusion of Calm Magic Aura Magic Missile Memory Lapse Shield Sow Thought Technomancy True Strike Blood Transcription Detect Thoughts Investigative Mind Invisibility mirror trick Protection From Arrows Aqueous Orb Fearsome Duplicate Magic Weapon, Greater Secret Page Shrink Item Suggestion Nondetection Communal Resilient Sphere Scrying Shadow Projection spent money:
Copy of spellbook Mirror Nondetection comp Invisibility scroll Protection from arrows scroll Mirror Hideaway scroll Greater magic weapon scroll Communal Nondetection scroll Shrink Item scroll Shrink Item scroll Shrink Item scroll l1 pearl of power (combined) l2 pearl of power (combined) l1 pearl of power (combined) l2 pearl of power (combined) snapleaf Dust of Dryness Feats: Spell Focus (Enchantment) Scribe Scroll Spell Specialisation (Suggestion) Improved Spell Focus (Enchantment) By Will Alone Craft Wondrous Item Feral Speech
Okay,
Spell wise, I've thrown out some of the really problematic spells.
I remembered what GM Pandorica said about wanting to be able to use magic, so I've pushed a crazy Evocation focus. I figure the water wall sounded most like Resilient Sphere of all the spells I could get. Nick can do an amazing damn-near-nuke-proof resilient sphere... but it is crazy vulgar. He has a great fireball (looking to go up to about 14d6) which is pretty much never going to be usable. I was seriously tempted by a spontaneous caster, but I really like the idea that spellbooks are a sort of 'stolen magic' people were not meant to have. Also, Nick just doesn't seem to fit a Sorceror. GM Pandorica: I think a lot of your worries about spellbooks came down to either (A) thematically they make magic easier (B) you've got the problem of a PC easily gaining spells (C) it encourages mages to work together by sharing spells.
I've put the spells I'm looking at below in a spoiler, just so this isn't too much of a wall of text. Scrying is one of them. GM Pandorica, are there spells here you are worried about?
spells: Break Charm Person Disguise Self Feather Fall Illusion of Calm Magic Aura Magic Missile Memory Lapse Shield Sow Thought Technomancy True Strike Blood Transcription Detect Thoughts Fox's Cunning Investigative Mind Invisibility Protection From Arrows Fearsome Duplicate Fireball Magic Weapon, Greater Secret Page Shrink Item Suggestion Nondetection, Communal Resilient Sphere Scrying Shadow Projection
Not a problem, GM Pandorica :)
looks at Nick, we just started this in December. ;) So like Aztech months or something :) May Mayan yeah thats it. Two months is still 'months' ago ;P
I'm hoping to pick up Scrying - going through everything now in the rebuild.
GM Pandorica: Also, I have a theme with Nick, not sure whether it fits. Was using Mirror Hideaway/Mirror Sight/(eventually) Mirror Transport. The dark figure as a shadow/reflection. Also looking at a Mirror flavoured summon. "Have you ever looked into a mirror, and felt like something else was looking back? Walked into a dark room and thought that your reflection was moving when you weren't? The modern world says it's an optical illusion, but it isn't. Mirrors are gates waiting to happen, to a dark realm of their own."
Man... I'm sorry I didn't work that out months ago!
Thinking I'm overthinking this.
That's an awesome feat I would take it anyway... Honesty compels me to say it's different though. The CRB, in addition to Somantic, Verbal, Focus and Material Component spells also states/implies all spells (and spell like abilities) have an effect. Crazy, huh. Still, Silent, Eschewed spell? You just stand there and squint at someone? They still know you've cast on them. Usually Piazo artwork depcits it by someone's hand glowing. Both in the case of the Mystic Theurge (so you know they're casting two spells at the same time) I think it was a balance thing in a fantasy world. That's the thing I'm looking to hide. Edit: Hmmm - or is that something you don't have? Edit 2: So far Nick has
I think that's it. Anyone remember anything else?
Currently Nick's spell themese are:
Makes sense.
Okay: is it okay to do Magic in front of other members of our little society without a problem? Is there a way to cast a spell that is coincidental without the flashy effects from the book.
I'm okay if there's not, by the way, just want to know. After all, it means it will be harder for our enemies.
Okay, so if we're fighting a giant water elemental, and Nick enchants Sariel's gun to kill it, does that count? Normally you can't shoot water and kill it, but then again normally water is not alive!
Huh... just realised, if you did get Teleport you'd have to be like "okay, I'm teleporting us into a house in Washington. Now everyone settle down because we can't be here for 18 hours..."
Aha! Got it, I think.
Oh... wow, Nick is not a good fit for that.
Thanks GM Pandorica, that helps. Before we have to do house rules though, and assuming that Nick is pretty much the guy who does magic (sorry Titus), what I'm seeing is that you're worried about controlling magic. Sounds like you are looking for a game where magic is powerful, but rare? I can see that Wizard ability to just learn (research, copy, steal) a boatload of spells is problematic. Sounds like a caster with "
It also sounds like you are worried about an influx of permanent magic items: fair enough, given that is one of things I was looking to do with Nick! Current problem is that every time you make magic items crazy rare or expensive, you make Nick more powerful. Every time you make it harder to craft (and the rules do make it easy!) you Nerf about half of Nick's feats. If I cut out the Crafting Feats then Nick can't manufacture magic items, and you can just control them via normal shopkeeping means. I'm not sure why you're looking at slowing down spells that don't come from items. Could you please explain the why of it? What is your intended effect? You let Nick summon a giant wall of water - which was awesome! - is this something you're happy for magic to do? Are there any books or games that have the feel of magic that you are going for?
@GM Pandorica: If you want to do this privately, happy to do that. Thought it would be worth doing it like this because the information was useful to others, and they can say something if they object to something I plan on doing.
Thanks GM Pandorica :)
@GM Pandorica:
Bitter experience has taught me that like exceptionalism like this means I've built a PC who does not match the game you're trying to run. I've brought the AM SMASH BARBARIAN to the Three Musketeers... Iron age Punisher into Golden age Justice League... Dirty Harry into Murder She Wrote. I really like this game, and now we've played one 'session' I think I'm starting to get a feel for it. Only a little bit of Nick has actually been used, so there's a chance to rewrite the bits no-one has seen (Schrodinger's Nick, I guess) so it matches better. I think Nick's personality is fine (tell me if I'm wrong!) and that it is just the class abilities that are problematic. I sort of break casters sort of break down into "combat control" (curses, conditions, battlefield alteration), "swiss-army knife" (utility spells to bypass challenges), "Hollywood Blockbuster" (the magical equivalent of a tank or a bomb), "Buffer" (healing and buffing spells) and "Crafter" (makes items for self and friends). On a scale of 1 to 10 I see Nick as sort of
I think we had a miscommunication about what the game was about. I don't think that's either of our fault. Sourcebooks spend hundreds of pages detailing worlds, and you didn't have to time to write that, and I didn't have time to read it. So let me ask what I maybe should have asked in Recruitment:
I'm not looking for a build, but maybe the type of spells you think are cool, and the type you'd prefer to avoid. If you want to use categories (mine, or your own) that'd be cool too. If there's fictional characters that fit well, that would help. Hopefully we can see a way to compromise once at this level, so we don't have to keep doing it through the game :)
I don't know if I'd say radio shack ;P, but assuming Loyds can get us some Private Investigator credentials we could probably by them from speciality suppliers
GM: Sorry, are you saying a +1 enchantment on a gun is $100K, takes 2 weeks and has to be reapplied (for another $100K, but only 1 day) every year?
Titus might take the implication in his stride, but Nick doesn't.
@GM: any problems with Ice Spears, Dimension Door andBlack Tentacles? @John: We're not sure if weapons can be enchanted. Assuming they (or perhaps their ammo) can...
@Sariel: As for a pistol that can damage anything... well, Nick knows what'll penetrate his defences. +1 Ghost Touch. Get some silver ammo and you can bypass 90% of immunities.
@GM: is it possible to enchant a gun? Given they're the most common form of weaponry Nick is familiar with, and he has the feat, seems like something he might know. @Sariel: Nick has Craft Electronics, so in theory he can design surveillance gear - but this sounds like a situation where if we can get the good, modern stuff and just check it is okay, that might be the way to go. @GM: you okay with the travelling spellbook with illusions, and making some scrolls? How do you feel about the constructs? @GM: As regards bringing people back: Is this something Nick would know, or would he think he could find a way around it?
"So..." Nick starts, then stops. There's anger in his face. "You'll..." - it sounds almost like the start of some longer word, with a strange, dark accent - more like "Chu'Al...". A hand dips to one of the little secret pockets in his dingy coat. He stops, takes a deep breath, closes his eyes and visibly calms himself. "We have to do something about this. The forces they're playing with... they're too dangerous. This blonde german of yours is probably a Wizard. The safe thing to do is to kill him with a sniper rifle and ask questions later. The house you're describing is probably within his wards. We'd need to start further out."
GM: I was buying Knowledge: Planes. Figured Nick could be reading up, and it seemed like there were people at base who would know.
secret GM question: Also, was thinking Nick might try to start a Soulbound Mannequin for his team mates. I believe that means I have to make the Masks before they die. I think I can wait to build the Mannequin until after. Is this something you're okay with? I figure if someone wants to come back, it gives a way to keep doing it. Otherwise either the capturing fails, or the personality just doesn't survive.
Hey, if anyone wants Titus to Craft them anything (anything) during downtime, speak up now! I'm going to lose about 2 days duping my spellbook. I'm planning to blood money and illusory script it (by literally writing in blood), then keep it shrunk.
I'm also planning to do some scrolls. Shrink Item is a possibility, but CRAZY expensive. I'm thinking about building a construct - torn on that one. On the one hand it seems cool to have a bag that can take care of itself, or (if I can do it) and animated car.
Hmmm.. does that mean that when he levels next time, if he chooses a new spell, Nick gets a 5th level spell?
Damnit, I was looking at 5th level spells at 8th level. Grrr... Just started actually looking at the sheet. okay, so $15400 in ink, and 14 hours to duplicate the spellbook (complete with new spells). 2 hours to copy the new spells. So 2 8 hour days work.
There are a few spells I've been looking at. Anyone want to weigh in?
Also, can people look (OOC, obviously) under the mission briefing spoilers?
Mission Report: Nick: "Well... This was a 'shakedown cruise', wasn't it? I assume you were testing whether I could work in a boat?" shivers "and I sort of can. I don't like it, but I can do it. I overcame my fear. If you were seeing if I can work in a team, I can... but I need to practice, and plan. Wizardry isn't something you do 'off the cuff'." "Assuming so, then, this was a..." he catches himself, brought up not to swear in front of a lady "Mess." "John's a leader, but new to investigation. He seemed to be doing well enough getting the team to work together. While his investigation skills are still weak, he seems to be picking it up quickly. I wouldn't have told Carlos and Edmund what we were doing so bluntly, but if he hadn't... and he was prepared to pay them out of his own money. Incidentally, that's totally a mission expense. I can document it if you want." "Sariel is obviously a loner - even I can see that. He's very competent, very lethal, has obviously got some pretty big emotional scars, but... He showed he can work in a team. I'd mark him 'Would Adventure With Again'." "Titus... I can't figure out what he was being tested for. He's fast, tough, strong, dangerous and charismatic. Also he can heal people. Maybe he was supposed to resist hooking up with some girl? In which case he did that. Maybe it was to see if he could handle not being leader? He did that too." "Ramona? I think she was a loner too. She sort of worked with us... but I don't think she liked it." "Kinsman though. Kinsman was pretty obviously suffering PTSD. I'm guessing you were hoping some 'tough love', 'do or die', 'semper fi' situations might bring out his best." "I guess... I guess it did. The team tells me we can't bring him back. We'll make enemies. You lot seem to have a lot of sway though. Can you do it? I mean, I can bring him back from the dead, but can you keep it secret, or keep the inquisitors off us?" "In terms of the mission, well, you've read my reports. If you want me to speculate..." "Something or someone - I'm guessing that pretty girl we heard about - was rebuilding a temple to something underwater. She needed souls. She cut a deal with a mobster. His payoff was the algorithm and a discrete disposal off the programmers, hers were the souls." "They got word we were there - better not have been a tip off from here. I'm expecting Sariel was right about the cops being in on it. Sent guys to kill us. They were in a hurry so it wasn't neat, but it was fast and heavy." "I think the mermaid in the cage was being used as part of some device for the summoning. I reckon they were trying to summon some old god into her or something. When John touched it he fried it, sent off a pulse, and some enemy of the old god sent something to smash it." "I reckon they might try again, but it'll take a while. The mobster is a cutout for someone else."
John is lying on deck, his voice is course and rough as he talks, "Did...she...get out?" "I don't know. I don't know. But I'm glad you did. I was worried you'd joined Kinsman. Don't do something like that again, okay?" As soon as they're on their way Nick grabs a towel and a (stiff) drink for John.--- Nick steps off the boat with wobbly legs, still wearing his now-ubiquitous life jacket. As soon as he is on the ground he collapses to his hands and knees, bags falling beside him, and shudders a few times as the rain pours over him. "It's over." A little later "It's over. Get up." "Get up!" On the last he seems to finally be able to gather the strength to stand. "I think we need to go. Whoever sent that boat after us is still around."
On the Helicopter Nick pulls out the little laptop and starts reporting what he's seen.
Interesting. I'd been thinking about taking Teleport. I'm used to Fantasy worlds where 1300 miles is the known world.
Hang on, so this one time we get a full level up, from then on it is broken down into features?
Ahem
Nick's player just woke up (I'm at GMT +11). 27 posts (in all 3 forums) during the 9 hours between me hitting refresh on the Campaign page! Wow - nice ending for act one (except, did 'she' get away?)
thank goodness!
"Figure out? No. No, we need to get John and Titus and GO! I could have dismantled that thing, but now..." "Aim for him!" Nick instructs Carlos, pointing at John. "Ramona, hand me that rope!" "Someone needs to get a line down to Titus, or something!" "#$%@! I hate water!"
Thanks :)
You can see the cost from where you are its some 4Km away. Its rocky and you can see one farm or fisherman's house, other than that scrub and bush up the sandy cliffs. Thinking maybe that is where it is coming from.
and which way is shore? When you say that storm is coming in fast, do you mean like 100 ft/turn, or mach 3?
Nick looks at the runes, and the crystal. Then quickly back and forward. "Noooooo!" he shouts, then realises he's used his real mouth, rather than the illusory one. Without a chance to correct his mistake he is catapulted back to his body "#$%@!"
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