Ouachitonian's page

”Outsiders just don’t make any sense to me. They’re…made of fire, or rock, or whatever? Half of them don’t even seem to have internal organs? Where is their nervous system? Why are their organs so weird? Nothing about them makes biological sense. I’m not even sure elementals meet the technical definition of “alive”. What really separates an earth elemental from a construct made out of stone? I’m a biologist, but my field of study just…doesn’t apply to outsiders. Or at least, not in any consistent, logical way. It drives me a little bit crazy. On a more practical level, where do you even find vital organs to stab on creature that’s made out of fire?” Theo says, gesticulating all the while with a turkey drumstick. Turning to Tulgram he says I mean, if we’re going to study these people and their city, it’s not going to help if we sit by and watch efreet kill them, is it? But anyway, it’s probably too early to plan anything, given the scant information we have.”

Theodore tucks into the food with abandon. I hope this expense is covered and we're not going to get stuck with a bill later. For those unfamiliar, the eating habits of an Uplifted Bear are disconcertingly similar to those of their less intelligent cousins. There isn't a lot of table manners, and utensils go untouched. There *is* a lot of various sauces on his face and hands after a few courses. There's also an impressive number of empty plates and stripped bones. Perhaps also disconcertingly to those not familiar with telepaths, a full mouth does not preclude "talking". "So tell us, what do we know about these threats, and Kahlannal in general?" he asks, while chomping away on a triple cheeseburger with extra bacon.

Theo shifts posture, and somehow it makes him look completely different that the imposing brute he was just a moment ago; instead he seems wise, almost sagely. He smiles widely at Zharis. As he does so, you hear his voice again, but it is less the low rumble it was before, and more the refined Common of high society and academia. "I'm afraid you've fallen into my trap, my dear. Never judge a book by its cover, as they say. The University did not send me only for my faculty for rapid disassembly of threats, though I am good at that. I'm currently on sabbatical from my day job at the Diaspora University, where I'm an associate professor of Xenobiology. My area of particular expertise is the genetics of the seasonally variable Triaxian ecosystem, truly fascinating stuff, but I must say the creatures native to the sun are quite something to behold, themselves." he pauses. "But it is true that fixing ships is not something I'm great at."

I forgot when I posted last night that Uplifted Bears can’t actually talk normally; apparently who or whatever did the uplifting decided it was easier to give them limited telepathy instead of altering their larynxes (but opposable thumbs weren’t that hard? I don’t get it.) So you may or may not have noticed that when Theodore was “speaking” earlier, his mouth wasn’t moving. Xylian probably noticed, since he’s a telepath.

Good day, gentle adventurers. It is an honor and a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Especially you, Miss Zharis, for I am but a humble academic, and not oft in the company of celebrity.

Given that the GM said all of PF1 is on the table, I kind of want to get a little bit silly, with a gnome Synthesist. 50/50 whether he'd actually think his eidolon was some sort of construct that he had built around himself, or if he'd realize it was a summoned creature, and just think it was from the...Plane of Constructs, or something. Either way, it'd look like the proverbial Iron Man suit, he'd wear it basically any time he was awake, letting others believe he was some sort of intelligent golem/robot/clockwork/etc. Definitely not built to abuse the brokenness of that archetype, but more defensively, because I am very small and do not want to be killed by the very large things. I'd probably end up using most of my spells on healing the eidolon/buffs, so it'd play a bit like a combat-focused alchemist. With a gnome flickmace. GM, your thoughts on that idea?

Absolutely! Thanks for taking up this idea.

I was also thinking of him as marksman, and how easy it would be to draw inspiration from the life of Simo Hayha, the famed Finnish sniper from the Winter War. Maybe even reference Simo as having also been a scion of Uller, have his rifle gifted as a birthright, something like that.

"We had best say towards the rear, since the others know this Lady d'Cannith." Lambda says quietly to Jacen as the group filters into the bar.

6d8 ⇒ (3, 8, 8, 6, 8, 8) = 41

Dang, good HP rolls.

The warforged executes a quick half-bow in Beren's direction. "Lambda-42, warforged bodyguard, and my patron, Mr. Jacen d'Orien." he says, gesturing to Jacen. Not waiting for a response, he follows the other warforged in.

Normally I feel like the boss would introduce himself and the hired help, but PBP being what it is, I figured I'd take the expedient route here. But I'll leave to Jacen to describe himself in more detail.

So whatever happened to this? Still working on it, GM?

Likewise.

I'm Leonard#2407. Expect friends requests incoming.

Can we take a drawback?

I don’t think there’s any such thing as being forced to use the Dark Side, ultimately. Even if you did so to save your skin, you still chose to do it. You still valued self-preservation above doing the Right Thing, no matter the consequences. Keep on that “I had to do it to survive” track long, and pretty soon you won’t *want* to go back.

GM, can you resend the password for the interactive map? I seem to have misplaced it.

Uriel flies in and gestures at the Brimorak "In Ragathiel's name, go back to the pit you crawled from!"
Smite Evil activated, ignoring DR etc. Also, since I used a Move Action and can't Full Attack, I'm Vital Striking.

Attack: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 15 + 1 = 36 Holy ****, how many Smite-Crits is that in this campaign? I love this AP.
Confirm?
Attack: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 15 + 1 = 26

Vital Strike Damage: 2d10 + 22 ⇒ (2, 7) + 22 = 31
Crit Damage: 1d10 + 22 ⇒ (7) + 22 = 29

Did I just cut a Brimorak in half? I think I just cut a Brimorak in half.

Looks like there are some full caster applicants, I might throw in a slightly more combat-focused arcane build, like a Magus, Alchemist, or Sorcerer->Dragon Disciple. I’m at work right this minute, but I’ll see if I can put something together when I get home tonight.

Gives 'em free Dual Weapon I.

I can also hold stuff in 4 hands. Can't, like, fire four pistols at once. But I could hold a two-handed gun, a vibroblade (in case someone tries to get in close), and a burger, or something. Or high-five four people at once.

Working on the build now.

(Sorry, couldn't figure out a word for Advice that started with B.)

So, my Discord gaming group is starting up a Starfinder campaign (something Homebrew the GM is cooking up, all we know right now is that it's supposed to be a bit Firefly-esque and we're starting in prison.) Had Session 0 wednesday and the party is as follows:

Uplifted Bear Soldier-Blitz (Me)
Skittermander Operative-Ghost (because really, who expects a Skittermander to be the spy?)
Ysoki Mechanic w/drone
Damaya Lashunta Technomancer (Ace Pilot theme, has said he plans to be more a support caster than a blaster, also likely to be the primary pilot once we get a ship)
Human (IIRC) Mystic (has said she's going to be the healer, IIRC she's picked a theme and/or archetype to boost that)

IIRC only the GM and Mystic have played Starfinder before, though I'm reasonably familiar.

Initially, I was going to lean hard into SPEED!, just race around charging everything I could, took Fleet as my first feat (60 feet base speed!). Stats 14/14/14/13/8/10 (Scholar theme, wanting to model him a bit on Beast from X-Men-brutal in combat but can also write a peer-reviewed article on, in this case, genetics). Figured Improved Init at 2, Toughness at 3, IUS at 4, Climbing master at 5 (Now I can charge 120 ft/round straight up walls! Muwhahaha!), maybe Wrathful Warrior for my second style, Unarmed Mauler for my first gear boost.

But then I did some more thinking, and for the party's primary melee my STR is kind low, and Fleet limits you to light armor. I'm probably going to want heavy armor. Maybe powered armor. So...maybe modify my stats to something like 18/12/12/13/8/10? Go ahead and pick up Improved Init at 1? Maybe take the Powered Armor Jockey archetype and the Nimble Juggernaut gear boost (at 7) to let me use my full speed in armor? Probably Melee Striker for my first gear boost since I'll have more STR to take advantage of. But do I want to boost STR that much if I'm angling for power armor? I'm pretty sure my GM will let me wait to 6 to decide if I'm taking the archetype, so I could keep the high STR and just use heavy armor.

Thoughts, questions, comments, threats, promises?

Hey folks. I’ve recently gone back to school, flight school. I’m hoping to be an airline pilot in a few years. I knew it would take a lot of commitment, but now that it’s underway I realize the commitment is going to be significantly more than I even realized. As much as I enjoy it, I’m not going to have time for gaming for a while. Maybe I can come back in a year or so when I’m done training and just trying to build up my hours. (I’m not asking you to hold a spot for me, to be clear), but for now I have to step away. It’s been fun, and I’ll miss it, but real life has to come first. I want this career, and in the short term that’s going to require some sacrifices. Hope I see y’all around some time. Best of luck, and happy gaming.

This is one I especially hate to leave because of the larger role my character has. If y’all want him to step back and rule in the background as an NPC I’m good with that. But if not I totally get it.

Hey folks. I’ve recently gone back to school, flight school. I’m hoping to be an airline pilot in a few years. I knew it would take a lot of commitment, but now that it’s underway I realize the commitment is going to be significantly more than I even realized. As much as I enjoy it, I’m not going to have time for gaming for a while. Maybe I can come back in a year or so when I’m done training and just trying to build up my hours. (I’m not asking you to hold a spot for me, to be clear), but for now I have to step away. It’s been fun, and I’ll miss it, but real life has to come first. I want this career, and in the short term that’s going to require some sacrifices. Hope I see y’all around some time. Best of luck, and happy gaming.

I know we’re probably close to the end of this one, and I’d like to see it through, but if I try to pick and choose between games I’ll end up staying in too many and fall farther behind in the studying I need to do for school. Sorry.

Hey folks. I’ve recently gone back to school, flight school. I’m hoping to be an airline pilot in a few years. I knew it would take a lot of commitment, but now that it’s underway I realize the commitment is going to be significantly more than I even realized. As much as I enjoy it, I’m not going to have time for gaming for a while. Maybe I can come back in a year or so when I’m done training and just trying to build up my hours. (I’m not asking you to hold a spot for me, to be clear), but for now I have to step away. It’s been fun, and I’ll miss it, but real life has to come first. I want this career, and in the short term that’s going to require some sacrifices. Hope I see y’all around some time. Best of luck, and happy gaming.

Pyros sighs and shakes his head at Reg’s manner. He then steps forward to speak with the traveler. ”Ours is a new and growing town, and we’ve yet to set up heralds to announce famous visitors, much less the sort of outriders who might know by sight the names and reputations of renowned foreign personages such as yourself., and relay news of your coming to town in time for us to arrange a reception.” he says, not quite bowing, but inclining his head to Narthropple. ”I do hope that when next you travel this way we will have had the time and prosperity to grow into the sort of city which can afford such services.”

Gliding forward to a place just behind Cimri's shoulder, Guilaume smiles at the sheriff. A woman as impressive as Cimri is bound to attract plenty of admirers, ma'am. I know she's made me a better person just from getting to spend time with her. You must be proud to have such a family." Guillaume says.

You should put some ranks in Craft (Graffiti) and decorate the church at night.

"As much a pleasure to you as your company was to us, I hope." Pyros says, with a smile.

Sorry, new work schedule has me all out of sorts.

Pyros glances at the man with no particular interest. "Yes, well. Weeks ago there was nothing here but some bandit shacks. Even Aroden couldn't build Absalom in a day, and I'm no Aroden."

My regular group is diverting out of our campaign for a one-shot while one of our members goes on vacation. The GM for this one-shot is a wily old hand who’s been playing and GMing since D&D 1e. Pretty much all he’s told us is that we’ll be hunting a dragon. He mentioned that the scenario he had ready was easy to convert to PF1e (I’m guessing it’s written in 3.5, that’s what he prefers playing), and called for four 12th level characters, but since there’s only three of us we should make 13th level characters instead. That’s about all I know. You should be able to extrapolate from there ther rough power of the dragon we should expect. As I said, our GM’s crafty. I was just discussing with the others a story he told us about running a dragon fight years ago in another edition where a Red Dragon had been burning towns, stealing gold, eating maidens, etc etc, and the heroes got all tooled up with Protection from Fire spells, Cold blasts, etc etc, and only after they were in its lair did they learn they were actually facing a Blue Dragon that had been using magic to hide its true nature. I fully expect those sorts of shenanigans. One player is going to play a gunslinger, the other a buffer of some sort (though one still able to melee in a pinch, exact class wasn’t specified yet), and I’m thinking a magus, but I’m open to other possibilities. Some options are pretty obvious: scroll of True Seeing, Dragonfoe Amulet, Dragon Bane weapon, Dragon Defiant armor, resist energy, etc. But lots of y’all have played this game much more than me. So how would you build a Dragonslayer? To reiterate, 13th level, standard WBL (pregame crafting allowed, though), ability score array of 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, all official PF1e options are on the table. (Try to stick to PC races though, no monster PC or templates. I’m not looking to get *too* crazy). I’m open to any level of help, from “make sure and take this one somewhat-obscure spell” up to a full statblock, lol.

Edit: Our buffer says she’s taking Craft Wondrous and Scribe Scroll. The three of us will be talking through things together while we build, so feel free to give me advice to pass along to them.

That’s what I don’t get. Every module and AP has some content that might upset people. How many of them involve a murder or serial killer? That could trigger anyone who’s had a family member murdered. Anything that involves sailing? Triggering to those who’ve had a friend lost at sea. Should we blacklist Curse of the Crimson Throne because it features a disease epidemic at one point? Telling people not to play an AP because one part of it is set in a fantastical version of Russia circa a hundred years ago just strikes me as absurd. Now, if your group includes an ethnic Ukrainian, sure, maybe stay away from it. But that’s a highly individualized call, not something that should be handled with a blanket announcement.

Ok, so, I sometimes run one-shots with my groups to relieve one of our two normal GMs, but I’m thinking I may step up and run a campaign when we finish Mummy’s Mask. Pathfinder’s what I know best, and running an AP is definitely preferable to trying to work up my own campaign. One issue our GM is dealing with this campaign is that we’ve, uh, kinda gone off the rails and broken WBL. We’re almost more a wandering magic shop than an adventuring party. One of the other players (our old hand, who’s played and GMed since 1e) is playing a crafter wizard and we’ve ended up delaying progress for weeks while he enchants stuff to sell to the rich of whatever town we’re currently in, etc. Our cleric and my alchemist have contributed as well, to a lesser extent (you just can’t make as much money selling potions as you can with Craft Wondrous. lol) So…what’s a good AP for a new GM, preferably one with a strong “we need to do this now” drive and/or one where you spend a lot of time away from civilization, to help me keep them on the rails. Our current GM has Rise of the Runelords and Reign of Wonter that he could loan me, though IIRC he and his wife (also in the group) have played arise before, so I kinda want to stay away from it. RoW might be a good one. I know Ironfang Invasion spends a lot of time in the wilderness. Also Giantslayer, IIRC? Other suggestions would be welcome.

(Mods, if there’s a better place for this please do move it.)

Here's Ouachitonian's submission. Lysander is a scimitar-wielding Bladebound Magus. He's a skilled melee combatant who can hit for really high damage as long as his spells hold out, but even after that he'll hold his own. While he doesn't have the skill points of a true skillmonkey, he has at least one point in most skills, and can definitely help in that area as well. And his sword talks (not to mention that it can make its own perception rolls etc.).

I’m thinking a Magus, or maybe a Warpriest. Something gish-y.

I’m interested. In the point buy, you say things are going to get epic. Is there a possibility we might get Mythic tiers? If that’s on the table, it’ll effect my build.

Okay, this is Ouachitonian's submission. Guillaume grew up wanting to be a paladin of Iomedae. He really did. But after years of being shunned, bullied, discriminated against, and finally framed for murder and expelled from the paladin academy, he forsook Iomedae, who had never answered his fervent prayers, and took up the worship of Moloch, determined to burn Iomedae's worshippers and everything she held dear. (Sorry if I got a little carried away with the backstory in the alias. It's just one of those things that kind of writes itself sometimes.)

Mechanically, he's a Bloodrager. I chose the Elemental (Fire) bloodline rather than Abyssal or Infernal partly because those overlap partly with stuff tieflings get already, but more because I want the "burn and destroy his enemies" shtick. Moloch has the fire Domain, and is even called the God of Fires, so I figure it makes sense. He'll hold down a frontline well, has some skills, but mostly he hits people and takes hits in return. I don't really plan to do anything fancy, probably just ride bloodrager all the way up. Depending on the course the AP takes I could see him maybe becoming a Hellknight, but I'll figure that out when we get to it. As long as he gets to burn Iomedaeans and their temples, he'll be happy.

Ouachitonian wrote:

I've got a tiefling bloodrager concept I've tried before but has yet to actually get into the game. Would you accept a tiefling? They're probably still not *common* in Cheliax, but more common there than elsewhere.

Well, I'd accept a tiefling if it feels right. If I feel this particular tiefling is suitable for the group, then I'd accept the tiefling.

I think I'll give that a shot again. He'll be an Ex-Iomedaean, who was once zealous in her faith and tried to become a paladin, but after years of bullying and discrimination and finally being framed for a heinous crime, he was drummed out of the paladin academy and, full of spite and bitterness, turned to the worship of Moloch. He's sort of *almost* an Antipaladin in his background, being a martial devotee of an Archdevil, but in game terms he'll be a Bloodrager who's been gifted power over fire (ie the Elemental (Fire) bloodline) by his patron, the better to burn and destroy everything Iomedae holds dear.

I've got a tiefling bloodrager concept I've tried before but has yet to actually get into the game.
Edit: reread the Op and saw you mention tieflings specifically, lol.

Don't worry about it. We're not paying you anything, so I'd hardly blame you for taking a vacation from the game while you're vacationing from real work!

I should note, btw, that I'm fighting defensively and my AC is 28 currently. I took the penalty on my atack roll, but forgot to mention it.
Important detail.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (7) + 17 = 24
Will: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28

No! Can't let it, oof. With mighty effort, Bayard fights off the Devourer's touch. Barely. Then he smiles. It is not a pleasant expression. "Nice try, monster. But you failed. Now it's my turn.
By Damerrich, return to the death you belong in!"

Smite Evil! +4 to attack, +13 to damage (doubled on the first hit), damage bypasses all DR. +4 to AC vs the Devourer.

Attack, Smite Evil: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (5) + 21 = 26
Damage, Magical Slashing: 1d12 + 34 + 2d6 ⇒ (8) + 34 + (1, 3) = 46

Attack, Smite Evil: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (7) + 21 = 28
Damage, Magical Slashing: 1d12 + 34 + 2d6 ⇒ (7) + 34 + (5, 5) = 51

Attack, Smite Evil: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17
Damage, Magical Slashing: 1d12 + 34 + 2d6 ⇒ (12) + 34 + (5, 5) = 56

Attack, Smite Evil: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28
Damage, Magical Slashing: 1d12 + 34 + 2d6 ⇒ (6) + 34 + (2, 4) = 46

The first one of those that hits has +13 damage, GM. I'm guessing that at least one does, but I don't know the Devourer's AC.

Out-side-ers, Some Kind of Monster, Myths and Legends, and playing through an AP would all be a lot of fun to play. Maybe combine and play an AP as legendary monsters? lol Forsaken Horde, Awaken My Power, and the planar one could be fun too. But I'm no PBP GM, I'm strictly looking to play.

Only Hold Person, thankfully. Whew!

Will: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (19) + 17 = 36

As the fiend attempts to curse him, Bayard merely stares sternly at it, before ending it's existence with a stroke of his mighty axe. He descends again, touching down suprisingly lightly, given his size.

Might want to confirm that slam, Reg.

Looking at the items in discussion I've just remembered that I'm wearing Woodland's Aegis. I used the barkskin earlier while we were buffing. Totally did. :P

When Pyros and Valerie return, both Tristian and Harrim are waiting for an audience.

Tristian approaches first.
"Greetings, your Grace. I hate to take you away from your other affairs, but your people need you."

"When the Stolen Lands were freed from the Stag Lord, the people breathed a sigh of relief. However, they are a bit confused by their swift change of fortune. Frankly, they are unsure what kind of ruler they have now. Will you be a fair ruler for all, or only those of wealth and status?"

"Let us reassure the people __ show them where your favor truly lies. A small celebration, a fair, for all the people. Of course, you could instead have a banquet for the new nobility and merchants to curry their favor as well, but I recommend the fair for the common people -- the ones whose shoulders your power actually reside on."

So, a choce, the fair or the banquet, or neither. The first helps Culture and Community, the second helps Relations and Economy, the last nets you a small amount of BPs.

Galahad0430 wrote:

"Let us reassure the people __ show them where your favor truly lies. A small celebration, a fair, for all the people. Of course, you could instead have a banquet for the new nobility and merchants to curry their favor as well, but I recommend the fair for the common people -- the ones whose shoulders your power actually reside on."

So, a choce, the fair or the banquet, or neither. The first helps Culture and Community, the second helps Relations and Economy, the last nets you a small amount of BPs.

"let me offer a different opinion. It is the nobility who will decide the fate of our kingdom. As a former noble myself, I know that the common people are tied to the land, but the rich flock to the place with the best parties. We should hold the banquet to encourage nobility and Merchants to come to our land. A thriving economy and strong relations are the best way to ensure peace."

Pyros pauses, considering. "Good points, both of you. Let's start with the people. Surely the merchants will find chances to turn a profit at a fair. As for the nobles, by virtue of their status, they'll have plenty of chances to curry favor. They can afford to miss one. Besides, with no offense meant, Valerie, not all of us were born nobles. This builds our connections with the people, shows them that with effort and perseverance, any can rise in this new land."

GM, could you add to the Campaign Info tab a roster of who holds what position, just so we don't have to remember?

Depends on the situation. The baron will generally be quite happy to deal with duels himself. Especially if the challenger is a swordsman. Granted, that may not actually be the best idea.

I'll just stick to Pathfinder. It's the easiest thing here. Ragathiel it is.

My background’s in the alias, if you need to read through that for bonuses.

Knowledge(Nobility): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17 Do I know of any Brevic noble families with an heir named Lander?

"I see. Let me talk to my council." returning to the group, Pyros looks between them, speaking low so that they are not overheard. "I know that I'm probably biased toward the Aldori, but Kassil would be my choice. I don't trust this Lander. If he's the heir of some noble house, he has an angle, and he's hiding it from me. Or he could be lying, in which case he's a liar. Why would we trust him? The Surtova woman just seems useless. The Aldori got us here, and I'm not inclined to turn my back on them. Of course, I have an obvious bias. What do you think?"