Reknarok's page

Reknarok felt as if his mind had been a haze since he lost his companions and beliefs in the Worldwound... He had stumbled through every single low life possibility presented to him - bouncer, street-fighter, brigand... You name it - he had believed himself broken, and in fact he was.

Eto was no doubt the most far off place he could fathom, so he started heading there - he heard somewhere that new opportunities popped up every day in the city - he longed for such an opportunity himself, a chance to stop feeling disgusted at what he had become - honorless, spiritless, weak.

Getting there was the easy part - What now..? - he had thought to himself as he stared dumbfounded at the bustling activity permeating the whole place. Growling away the peddlers and merchants accosting him, he looked for someplace dark and cool, trying to get his ideas straight over a mead - his brow started sweating, an embarassment for his forefathers and himself, but he accepted it - he was not the man he used to be - the strength of his arms was still there, he could swing a weapon and crush a man without much effort, but he lacked what should move him - a reason, a motive to ACT.

All eyes in the small tavern turned to him as his hand unvoluntarily crushed the wooden mug, sending splinters all over the counter - he just shrugged it away, dropping a couple of coins to amend for the damage done and left.

Wandering through the city, the sun stinging his eyes, and the sand filling his nostrils, he found himself admiring a weapon stand, while the merchant proceeded in some incessant blabber - "Quality... Big man... Etc. Etc..." - he did not listen.

The long-hafted, heavy poleaxe felt comfortable in his hands...Feeling the blood rush to his neck and head, his knuckles tightened firmly around the weapon, so hard they whitened with the strain - he looked at the merchant but could not seem him, neither could he hear the market sounds around him - instead he watched his brothers in arms die around him over and over again, while he did nothing.

But the weapon in his hands was REAL - it anchored him. Shaking his head, he turned to the stall owner and took the first step - with a deep rumbling voice he asked - "How much?"

A very big dot for this one - I have heard and read a lot ov good things about The Ruins of Pathfinder. I am currently on vacations so my submission will only be done probably sometime during next weekend.

I tend to fall into Guardian characters, and the guy in this alias, was done exactly with this perspective in mind, both mechanically and in background. I will probably go forward with him and ask you also to take a look at his background.

On the other hand, I have been trying to steer somewhat away from the martial obsession, and go for full support, to that effect I would play an Oracle of Life.

Lets stick to Rekbarok here for the time being though :D

His crunch is not at the correct level, but it can give you an idea of the intended progress.

Let me know your thoughts.

After some soulsearching, the references to Planescape [even though DM Crustypeanut has made it clear it is not the same, just using the term is enough :D], and taking a closer look at the details regarding the Ruins of Pathfinder, I've decided I want to be in on it too :D

Dotting for interest, and just for the sake of it I am doing it with a character I used in a short Mythic Playtest PbP before, which brought up some interesting questions regarding managing DR X/- and DR X/Epic. Any thoughts on this one?

Not 100% sure if it pays out to be invulnerable rager then :D

Hello GM VoV,

I have a character concept in mind revolving around Invulnerable Rager Barbarian, but I am curious if you have any idea on how to address the DR originating from both the class itself + the one from the Mythi Guardian.

Any ideas?

DM Kibeth, what impact can we predict from the "Armor as DR" rules on an archetype like the Invulnerable rager?

Any more thoughts?

Alright guys,

thinking we're not going to have time to do another encounter after all.
Shall we start getting set for the recap?

I think Mounts and Riding were a little vague with the extra actions from initiative. May not be so bad under the latest iteration.

I think that there were some interesting implications about DR based character classes and the DR/Epic features.

Seems like there were a few too many points under this system.

While Morrack showed how badass to the death was I think that it was PROBABLY balanced for the cost.

As a DM I found the Agile template an easy way to upgrade monsters. I would love some more templates at +2, +3 and +4.

Despite me trying to push it I saw no love for lesser trials. What did you guys (the players) think?

A shame we are not going forward with this, as I was absolutely adoring Reknarok.

I believe the initiative issues resulted from our lack of rules knowledge - I think it could be easily solved.

The DR questions definitely need to be looked at - maybe some sort of inter DR conversion? Like x DR of this sort equals y DR of that sort?

Regarding the trials, I honestly think that the main reason for not being given much importance was mainly the game pace, and the feeling that we would not be taking this too far, making advancement less of a question.

Shameless bump :D

I am still here, simply there isn't much that Reknarok can contribute to the conversation

What do you make of this boys? Reknarok questions, turning to his much more scholarly companions.

So what is the status at the moment?

I still think Morrack should have it, else I WILL take it as a secondary weapon as I said before :D

Reknarok, only slightly versed in the common local knowledge, and a few sparse informations about the nobility of the region, decided to stay silent, letting his more cultured companions do the talking - he assumes a martial posture, keeping watch on the surroundings.

I could have sworn it says you need to have one hand free for it.

-e-

Welp, looks like you're right. Nifty. I don't imagine you can mix Unbreakable and Unarmed Fighter, though, which means you end up needing to take Endurance and Die Hard with your normal feats, instead of getting them for free.

That is actually not a HUGE issue to be honest Seranov, because in fact Endurance from the Unbreakable replaces the fighter's bonus feat anyway - you do end up missing Combat Reflexes, and most likely will be lagging one feat behind, which you can probably catch up when you were planning on taking Combat Expertise.

Your reasoning looks quite solid Lastoth, I won't even throw the trait Threatening Defender to the mix - it actually alleviates the penalty from combat expertise by -1 - but it is only a matter of mathematics, actually lowering the match between the two options to around level8 I guess.

remember you couldn't exceed it until level 16, and even then you'd be sucking up -3 to hit in exchange for one more point anyway. That's a trade worth taking.

What do you mean exactly? I seem to have gotten lost in the math - you mean with the crane style I could add another -1 at 16?

Equivalent to a level 12, damn that IS high - even though it is still effectively "capped", it is so at a quite decent value.

My take on this is that one level of unarmed fighter would give you IUS and crane style (for the reduced fighting defensively penalty) for the least investment with no BAB lost. This is better than combat expertise IMO.

Priority 1 is get Stalwart ASAP, especially when you're using Fighting Defensively for a quick +4 DR (assuming 3 ranks in acrobatics for the bonus).

With those stats, though, you could run a zen archer monk very effectively. Unfortunately if someone locks you into a set of stats they have locked your character choices down pretty severely.

I haven't actually done the math but on a second look, Crane Style simply lowers your to-hit penalty by 2, for an additional +1AC, meaning:

With Combat Expertise:
Level1
-1 to hit/+1 to AC/DR
Level 4
-2 to hit/+2 to AC/DR
Level 8
-3 to hit/+3 to AC/DR

With Crane Style:
-2 to hit/+3 to AC/DR
(Which is roughly equivalent to lvl8 if using Expertise)

But Crane Style will not get any better than this - am I looking at this correctly?

Hmmmm, I had never considered the IUS + Crane Style option stemming from the Unarmed Fighter Archetype - might be a good option to look at, and check if it overlaps with the Unbreakable archetype.

And just to clear it up, we suggested the DM to use this method, to strain our imagination - it was just fate that I got the STR and CON stats to boot :D

Hello again guys, I am aware that maybe I shouldn't be ressing this thread for this reason but hey, I've gotten nice advice before from you all that I am back again.

Now.. the thing is... I am starting a RotRL pbp and after much soulsearching, and back and forth with the group composition, I am left with the frontliner role.

Since this is going to be DM'ed by someone I know for a fact takes things to the end, I have again decided that this may be a good opportunity to "apply" the Barbarian Tank - sweeeet :D

This will be on a lvl1 character, and the stats have to be as follows (before racials apply), since this is a method we agreed with the DM, to make a long story short:

Str: 16
Dex: 11
Int: 11
Wis: 17
Con: 14
Cha: 10

As you can see this is not at all optimized, and I would have your assistance in making it work, and actually your honest opinion if you actually think it can be done or not.

So, some considerations:

- Race: My first reaction was to go Tiefling Daemon Spawn - this adds to my Dex and Int, making Combat Reflexes and combat Expertise available, but keeping my STR at 16... The end result is totally unoptimized: STR16, Dex13, Int13, Wis15, the works... but seems to be one of the best options to maintain the combat expertise core ability, and also Combat Reflexes which I enjoy a lot;

- Not being human: It is damaging - the loss of a feat is quite brutal, but I still haven't figured a way around this;

- STR16: How bad is it?

- I could just forget the Dex, and the Combat Reflexes, trying to go for a race that gives me maybe a bonus on STR and INT... again losing the extra feat as above - how big a loss do you think this would be?

- On a side note, I have played with the character in the alias - Reknarok - on an encounter, and kinda felt immediately the lack of "aggro" or "pin-down" mechanics on him, many foes actually went around him to attack more vulnerable companions (truth be told we were attacked by a PACK of Devilish hounds - I think they were over 20 - not much any tank could do there I guess :D), on the other hand boy oh boy does this guy dish out damage - the lucerne hammer coupled with the combat reflexes... three hounds attacked me on the same round and they were eating over 30 points of damage per opportunity attack...

- How do you deal with opponents "inside" the range of your reach weapon?

- From all of the above, it would seem that the best option would actually be to learn to live with STR16 and take it from there, but I would like to hear the expert's opinion ;)

- Last thing, I would be playing him from level 1 (even though, according to the GM, this may go beyond the scope of the AP and into higher levels), and would probably start as Barbarian... seems more logic from a background perspective, then suddenly becoming a raging barbarian :D On this note, would you stick to the same feat progression? Seems the character only ACTUALLY comes together when Stalwart kicks in, so should I go for it sooner? Are extra fighter levels worth it at all?

- Bottom line, you think it can be done with any sort of acceptable efficiency, or should I take the high Wis and go play a monk?

Thanks for any possible feedback guys.

I have to confess I still do not completely dominate the mythic point usage... Exactly how many do I have? And to which actions can they be applied exactly?

With a glance at the characters, it would seem we have NO social skills whatsoever so... It seems we will have to rely on Morrack's unbelievable Intimidation with me Aiding Another? Any other suggestions?

It is a shame we did not manage to gather information from that bastard back in the road - heck, I don't even know if it could be interrogated at all...

Anyways, we should be heading to these Esoteric Vaults correct?

Good point Morrack. Normally 5 books into the AP if you've paid attention you can know a lot. I'm going to run off the knowledge skills I think. Sadly I'm probably not going to be able to post the rest till I get home tonight in about 8 hours.

Think that is a great idea Harakani - So that we get back on track and with a sense of what has been before - I have to admit I actually never played the AP, and I'll bet it is a rarity that anyone has ever reached book 5 on the forums - only with a very special DM I say ;)

Reknarok is ready to go :D Don't apologize, I also would like if we could move ahead at a faster pace.

Sitting casually at the table, Reknarok addresses the group - First of all, we have done so well so far. I am not one for too many pats on the back, but I want to salute you all for what we have accomplished so far - he raises his mug - To you my friends!

After a long drink, he adds: "Now... I believe we need to start threading carefully here... Correct me if I am wrong but we need to start taking steps to track down the Whispering Way - am I correct?

Leaning back on his chair, looking at the others, he comments - The question is where. And how?

Let us head on then, my throat is dried and parched - lead the way Jennix

Assuming some of the information is shared by Jennix:

Let us find an inn then - let's stable our mounts and get a drink - we deserve it - around a good mead one can always see things clearer - he adds with a laugh.

Hmmmm, friends where should we head next? - Reknarok addresses his travelling companions, as he himself tries to recollect scattered details about Caliphas.

Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Well... Reknarok has none of those...

Reknarok chases the horses down, trying to retrieve them.

Ok so, imo give it to Morrack + a shield, or I can use it when they get past my hammer into close reach.

No worries.

Well... If it is like that...

1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Total: 32 HP, 3 charges

Reknarok topped and ready to go ;)

So......

After the rage subsides, Reknarok is at 97/127

Reknarok would be interested in the Amulet of Natural Armor, but it would be helpful to identify the remaining items. How can we do it?

No Access to the Mythic playtest material right now - will take a look at it when I get home.

I still do, but since they do not and we are on playtest mode, i was equating actually dropping my option for Epic DR - it is of no use except for bypassing Mythic creatures DR...

Note: Gameplay updated ;)

Settling down from his rage, Reknarok heavily ambles over to check on his companions - Are you all ok? I am guessing we need to start taking particular care with our tactics... Overwhelming numbers like those back there can pose us difficulties - he offers with a deep breath.

Seamus and Mitsy, I want to offer you my apologies, my tactical mistake allowed that bastard rider to charge you, I should have placed myself between him and yourself - it will not happen again my friends.

Morrack my brother, we need to stand side by side - united we prove to be a frontline that NEEDS to be contended with - alone we are vulnerable to being picked off and outnumbered - he comments with a hand on the dwarf shoulders, leaning on him somewhat as he himself recovers.

And to you arcane fellas, as soon as I can spare the change I will make sure to offer you one of those wonderful size increase magic things you wield about - if my size, or Morracks' increases they will be hard pressed to pass us by, and if they wish to circle us, they will pay dearly for it...

Doesn't matter!! We have prevailed and I am happy to see you all safe! He cheers.

Now.... Lets take a look at what this bastard here was carrying around with him shall we? - he adds as he moves on over to the fallen rider rubbing his hands together.

MUAH!!

A bite? No, why do you ask?

With a primal scream, Reknarok closes the distance between himself and Dullahan, the last feet travelled turning into a leap as, akin to a beast, the barbarian pounces upon the foul creature.

Will be using the pounce ability to be able to reach him and do a full attack, flanking with Mitsy- I believe he is entitled to an AoO - I will use absorb blow on it

Attack 1: 1d20 + 21 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 21 + 2 = 29
Damage if it hits: 1d12 + 30 ⇒ (6) + 30 = 36

Attack 2: 1d20 + 21 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 21 + 2 = 33
Damage if it hits: 1d12 + 30 ⇒ (7) + 30 = 37

Attack 3: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 11 + 2 = 32
Damage if it hits: 1d12 + 30 ⇒ (10) + 30 = 40

Isn't it like 3 squares?

Ok, who's next? The horseman I believe?

Maybe heal yourself Morrack?

Morrack is up.

What are you blabbing about wretched creature?! And don't think I can't see you trying to circle me to have your dog at my heels from one end and yourself from the other - lets solve that right away shall WE?!

Taking advantage of Morracks' position Reknarok takes a step back (to K38), accepting any punishment the beast may deal for the risky move, and swinging viciously at the hound.

Attack on the Hound: 1d20 + 21 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 21 + 2 = 25
Damage if it hits: 1d12 + 29 ⇒ (11) + 29 = 40

Attack on the Hound: 1d20 + 21 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 21 + 2 = 33
Damage if it hits: 1d12 + 29 ⇒ (1) + 29 = 30

Attack on the Hound: 1d20 + 21 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 21 + 2 = 24
Damage if it hits: 1d12 + 29 ⇒ (8) + 29 = 37

If I risk a hit from Dullahan, I will use Absorb Blow, if I am only risking being attacked by the hound as AoO, I will not expend it, saving it in the case the big bad guy comes for me.

Damned 1's and 2's :D

Nop, 23 misses :D

Since I have a reach weapon, I would say that Dullahan is in my reach - correct DM?

Very well then :D

In spite of the poisonous cloud, Reknarok roars at the rider and its mount at full lungs - You should have not stopped here fool!! You will go back screaming to whatever hellhole you crawled out from!!

Attack 1:1d20 + 21 ⇒ (1) + 21 = 22
Damage if it hits: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (9) + 29 = 38

Attack 2:1d20 + 21 ⇒ (8) + 21 = 29
Damage if it hits: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (3) + 29 = 32

Attack 3:1d20 + 21 ⇒ (4) + 21 = 25
Damage if it hits: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (14) + 29 = 43

Harakani DM, what should I roll for concealment?

Yep he is, I guess to hit him I would have to use my Spiked Gauntlet (or my claws from the Beast Totem :D ) - I'll just ignore him for now and try my full round of attacks on the Nightmare - I have no chance to miss her right? Since she is out of the cloud?