Ageless Master

Sundakan's page

6,303 posts (8,524 including aliases). No reviews. 1 list. No wishlists. 29 aliases.


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You can doubletime for the usual +5 to the DC, that's not an issue. If you mean further than that, then no.


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You're also missing a big point here: RPGs are not books or other passive media. If your character is an a$*$$%$, everyone at the table has to deal with you acting like a jackass for 4-7 hours at a time every week. It grates. It gets old. It really doesn't add as much to the story as you think it does.

Characters can have conflicts without a player going out of his way to make everybody miserable at the table week in and week out to make the story "better". The BEST CASE SCENARIO is this kind of character gets a quick comeuppance and is either replaced or learns their lesson...as all of my AND your examples do. This either results in an isolated incident or a revolving door character. In either case, it's just as well handled by an NPC.

The healthier conflicts (and more interesting ones) are all represented in those same media. Gimli and Legolas have a rivalry, but neither would ever betray the other. Roy and Haley conflict...but Haley also has the best interests of the party in mind, just like the rest of them do. And so on, and so on.

Ideological conflicts add more to the game without being a betrayal of trust.


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We may have different definitions of "exciting". +X to Y abilities are useful, yes. Exciting? Nah.


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Sure. Stabing Shot is dumb and stupid anyway. You gonna start pistol whipping mofos?


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That's...not a good analogy. This is sports, not a grand quest. This is exactly like what it is: An athlete doing what athletes do.

This is like getting mad at a football team because while they're on their quest to win the Superbowl they need to play all these other stupid teams first and do exhibition matches and commercials and charity events on the side.

If you want to put it in LotR terms though, what's happening right now is Frodo and co. made it to Mount Doom midway through The Two Towers and threw the ring in...only to realize it was a fake ring, and this was a fake Sauron, both destroyed. It's now been months with no sign of the threat. The orc armies have all but disappeared. The real Sauron (and his ring) are in the wind.

The heroes have no way of finding him, so while they wait for Gandalf to track him down or the evil baddie to show himself of his own accord, they settle into a routine of daily life.

This is the time in a story where you get character interaction and development, and get a sense of the charaters' personalities without a looming crisis. Which, let's face it, Tolkien didn't do much of.

Which is fine, because not every story needs to follow the same exact structure and keep the cast laser focused on their goal (particularly in this case, where in the grand scheme the stakes are nonexistent).


Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...sure. Level 11 it is!


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Blymurkla wrote:
Think of your favorite groups of heroes. Think of Star Wars and Firefly, or of the fellowship of the Ring and Order of the Stick.

All of these make my point for me. There was no real betrayal by an ally in Star Wars (Solo repented almost immediately). The one betrayer in the Fellowship died. The minute Jayne went from "useful a%%!&#+" to actually betraying the party for money...Mal nearly killed him, and he vowed never to do it again under pain of death. Belkar was kicked from the group the second he became more inconvenience than help...only reason it didn't take is because of a mind wipe.

This?

Quote:
What would you choose, having a rogue who finds traps for you yet sometimes helps himself to some of your coins or to have no-one and be killed by a swinging axe trap?

It's a non-issue. Mechanically you never need a Rogue. Use the money you saved from everyone in the party getting the Rogue's full share AND not having a chunk of it stolen to buy a Wand of Summon Monster. Or hire an NPC. Or anything else.

RP-wise, it doesn't make sense to keep someone around either unless your character's an idiot or for some reason you don't really need the money.


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Matthew Downie wrote:


Tiger Mask W
I am growing increasingly worried about the crumbling authority of wrestling referees. Wrestlers seem to be able to break rules with impunity. One wrestler in this series picked up a referee and used him as a club. He wasn't arrested, banned from wrestling, or even disqualified from the match.
Also, I was enjoying it more when it was about one man's struggle to avenge his mentor who was crippled in the ring. Somehow it turned into a show about one man's struggle to take revenge on the wrestlers who ate his friend's cake, or whatever the current episode is about.

The revenge plot has taken a sideline because he was duped by the big tournament. He got into this to take out Yellow Devil and to destroy GWM if possible.

Problem is, he took out a fake Yellow Devil and that trapped him in a contract...GWM is now using him to make more money and cement their Japanese audience.

None of the current fights are related to the revenge plot because he got screwed over by contract.


Just remember to wrap it up. There are worse things than scurvy on the high seas.


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Blymurkla wrote:


But the thieving rogue is a fantasy trope engrained in our minds. It is an interesting character to play.

Never understood how it's supposed to be interesting. It's annoying AND nonsensical. Any party with two brain cells between them all would boot (or worse) the klepto at the first opportunity and hire someone who can be trusted.

If they steal from their allies, they can't be trusted not to backstab in more literal ways later.

You're probably one of those people who think Kender are cute, aren't you? I've got my eye on you.


It's been a long time, but there are the faint traces of a Transmutation spell at work here, likely an archaic version of the Calcific Touch spell (it feels too weak to be Flesh to Stone or more powerful magic, even accounting for time).


I'd let them steal from other people for themselves all they want (it's the Rogue equivalent of a Profession check to make money in downtime). Stealing from other players is a non-no though.


Lathiira wrote:
Skyrim Rampage Cap'n Yesterday wrote:

So flame enchantments are hard to come by, it would seem, everything is frost this, sanctified that, soul binding the other thingamajig.

Who do I have to murder to get a flaming Greatsword!

I want to say if you become Thane for one of the Jarls, they give you a 'weapon of _______' that happens to be flaming. Don't remember which Jarl though, sorry.

All of the [Weapon] of [Hold] weapons (eg Axe of Whiterun) are randomized magic items just like any loot you find in chests, so none are guaranteed to be any one thing.

Remember that merchants sell magic items. Check with Warmaiden's and Belethor's General Goods along with the Khajiit caravans enough times and they'll eventually have one.

There are other merchants in other towns of course, but it seems like you're based out of Whiterun.


Now that money matters are largely settled, where to next?


The next sarcophagus is empty. The only other notable features of the room are twofold:

A tapestry, depicting Taldan Knights fighting against the forces of the Whispering Tyrant. In the centerpiece is Iomedae (as the mortal Herald of Aroden at the time).

The other content of the room is a statue arrayed in armor identical to that of the knights in the tapestry, carved in an odd pose. It appears to have just completed a sword thrust, but the look on its face is that of despair, rather than triumph. It gives off an eerie, lifelike quality. Everything is carved a little too precisely.


I forgot to post a little interlude for Forzare: I still see him as being around, but acting mostly as mission control and pilot (when and if needed), or for any "all hands on deck" situations. He'll be spending a lot of time on the Watchtower as well.


And Imagine, don't forget.


*Squints closely at the end of the trailer*

Was that a joke? In a DC movie?


Cool. Then available wealth: 7350 (payout) + 17.5k (sword) + 4734 (leftover from last time) = 29, 584 gp.

Purchases:

+3 Scimitar (if possible, I repurchase my tentacle sword and upgrade it) = 18k

Upgrade shield to +3 (9k)

Remainder: 2584 gp


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He should have to roll, yes.

Then no matter the outcome smack him upside the head and tell him to stop being a prick.


Weird.


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SmiloDan wrote:

5E has no dead levels, if you count access to new spell levels.

It doesn't...but then again, it also lacks significant choices in what those abilities are and those abilities being significant in the first place. You get most of your playstyle defining stuff in the first three levels and the rest is a mixed bag from meh to cool just like Pathfinder.


What do they smell like? Anything weird to hear?


Kirth Gersen wrote:

There are a number of things I dislike about Vital Strike, some of which BWO already discussed, but I think the main one is that it's an obvious feat to give monsters -- especially given the damage dice some of the Bestiary 1-5 critters get, out of proportion to their size. But if the DM does the obvious thing and swaps out Improved Critical and Power Attack on a seps* for Vital Strike and Improved Vital Strike, it deals 9d8 bite damage (plus poison) and you either start killing melee PCs more often, or else you have to start softballing encounters to keep from doing so. Granted, an experienced DM would probably avoid doing that, but that same DM would probably wonder what the feat is actually supposed to be for.

I've long advocated that Vital Strike's damage dice increase would be better as a set number of dice, say +2d6/+4d6/+6d6 at BAB +6/+11/+16. That way you could still use it on monsters, but a halfling with a dagger would get just as much mileage out of it.

*EDIT: Ooh, cloud giant is even better! Get rid of Impr. Bull Rush, Awesome Blow, and Improved Overrun, and give him VS, IVS, GVS, for 16d6.

Part of the reason I do the opposite (trade Vital Strike for Power Attack and something else, usually some unique gimmick like Cornugon Smash) usually. I feel more comfortable if I need a 14 to hit the PCs and then do 1/4 of their health than I do hitting on a 10 and doing 1/5 instead (or in the extreme cases, hitting on a 10 and doing 1/2).


Scavion wrote:
Sundakan wrote:
To be fair, Khere wouldn't detect jack even if Kaven WAS evil at this level.
Tieflings are outsiders.

But they don't have the Evil subtype even if they are.


I think there's plenty of ways to justify you getting over here. Kostya super-leap, Jebat ferry, that kind of thing. I wasn't sure how to respond to the actual thing, I'll settle for a question.


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That's really my main gripe too. If you could (without further investment) Charge, Spring Attack, use Standard action hit abilities like the Brawler's Knockout and other thematic "big hit" things it would be more versatile and I'd be more apt to take it.


I didn't want to say anything, but it was kinda weird.


To be fair, Khere wouldn't detect jack even if Kaven WAS evil at this level.


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It's not just silly, it's actively against the rules.


The Toaster wrote:
cattoy wrote:
zainale wrote:

snatch arrow + active bomb + being the target = auto hit with the bomb setting it off.

hitting with the bomb sets it off. missing and hitting the ground sets the bomb off. your bombs are magically unstable having your bomb hit someone's hand should also set it off.

my bombs land in soft mud causing my bomb to go off in the last game. it hurt the enemy's ally with splash dmg. if the bomb goes off in soft deep squishy mud it should go off when it slaps an enemy's palm when he catches it.

"An alchemist's bomb, like an extract, becomes inert if used or carried by anyone else."

If you catch an alchemist's bomb targeting you, it is now being carried by anyone else and becomes inert.

#1 this would be a GMs call,

#2 the bomb is not being "carried" by the monk. It is being re-directed.

On the other hand, I would point out that after the 1st bomb is re-directed, the Alchemist should have the option to stop throwing bombs. (again this is a GMs call, but is more likely to be excepted. Kind of like if the Alchemist is dropped by an AOO as he throws the first bomb - the rest of the attack would be interrupted and canceled...) He does NOT throw them simultaneously - they are thrown in series during his turn. If the 1st monk "interrupts" the alchemists full attack - the alchemist should have to option to STOP casting - or even re-target his bombs. So... the first bomb (and maybe the second) get's re-directed back to the alchemist, and all the others should get thrown at intersections beside the Monks.

The second Bomb probably hits the first Monk right in the face, out of spite. Deflect Arrows is only once per round.


...Beyond what?


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Quote:
In violence, media manipulation, fear-mongering, spreading dissent. In how we're used like fighting dogs, given a slap on the nose and thrown into a ring, mindlessly attacking one another instead of biting the hand that slapped us on the nose, in breaking the cycle of violence and hate.

This may be a nitpick, or just a consequence of the analogy, but doesn't this just redirect the hate and violence, not stop it?

Arguably you are redirecting it in a justified manner toward a deserved target, but it still perpetuates that cycle. Which I guess is the main problem. Violence begets violence but it's damn hard to stop violence without violence in the grand scheme.


Anything especially weird ping off about them? Like they run extra hot and give off a low EM pulse? =)


Drahliana Moonrunner wrote:

I no longer have the tolerance for the slipshod risky nature of using Android software. I love the fingerprint lock of my Iphone. But above all, I simply no longer have the patience for playing the Roulette wheel with using Android software, since Google doesn't really bother policing the software that gets put on their app store. Nor do I enjoy having to manually clean up my phone's memory every day. And I've found out the hard way that microSD Cards are not an acceptable substitute for core memory space.

So...don't download random programs you haven't vetted? That's not Google's fault, it's yours. Same way it's not Microsoft's fault if you randomly download something from the internet and get a nasty virus.


In the 70's and 80's at least they were just best friends. I dunno if that changed or anything. Hell, Colleen was super pissed at Misty for dropping Danny to go off with some other guy at one point, and hurt on Danny's behalf (to the point she was a hair trigger away from murdering somebody).


Mind you it doesn't matter after 6th level (Ranger/Slayer), 10th level (Fighter, any full BaB class with a Combat feat at 10th), or 11th (any full BaB class) since Shield Master negates all the penalty anyway.

I think the Unhindered Shield Feat might help, but I don't have Armor Master's Handbook.

You could always just use a Light Shield instead. It's one less AC. Big whoop.


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I have my two cats, a big calico (Rosie, 8 years) and a little grey longhair (Misty, 3 years).

Rosie was a package deal with her sister (Reese), originally, but she got sick a few years back and we had to put her down. I adopted Misty not long afterwards because Rosie was so lonely. Thankfully they've bonded well. =)

Rosie is currently deforming my spine by being half on the arm of my chair, and half behind me where I made the mistake of bending in to type.

At 16 lbs (and yes, that's her healthy weight, says the vets) she is more able to muscle in than your average cat.

I've had other pets (dogs, hamsters, turtles) but none have lasted as long as these two, nor any have I gotten so close to. They do a decent job of keeping me sane, when they aren't actively driving me the other way (Misty has decided she's an outside cat now, and goes on little adventures during the day).


Matthew Downie wrote:
I never see PCs using longswords. Why don't longswords get any love? It's always greatswords and rapiers and longspears and composite longbows...

Longswords fall on the opposite end of the spectrum. They're a good, solid weapon with oodles of weapon specific Feats and effects along with many special magic weapons that are longswords (See: Holy Avenger, Firebrand, etc.).

Most people are sick to death of them.


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MageHunter wrote:

MageHunting.

Readied Vital Strikes with a bow to interrupt spellcasting. Can completely shut down an unprepared spellcaster.

So can a normal bow shot, except you don't need to spend 3 Feats on it that are practically worthless at any other time. 1d8+12 or more is still a pretty hefty Concentration check to pass.

Even better, you can then spend those 3 Feats on something that does work on a prepared spellcaster, so you can send a flurry of arrows downrange to get rid of those Mirror Images, or ignore their Blur or Displacement. And then when they're dead, they can't cast any more.

Wind Wall and its ilk screw you either way, of course, but again you haven't wasted 3-4 extra Feats now.


I think I'm going to go ahead and okay both Osric and Zone. That'll put us at 4, 5 if LizardWizard wants to come back, and 6 if Endoralis shows back up, which is plenty manageable.

I have a solid idea for bringing Osric in now because of an interesting decorative detail I forgot about in the very room the PCs just entered. I'm going to update soon and make a very slight amendment to the room's contents.

Side note: Technically speaking, you can be a Cleric of an ideal. If, instead of changing patron deities to Iomedae, you would like to gain your Cleric powers from the ideals that Aroden espoused (and/or a steadfast faith that he is not dead, merely gone) you could do that. His Domains are listed on the wiki if you're interested.

Zone, how do you feel about being contracted by the Esoteric Order of the Palatine Eye? You can take the place of a Dhampir vampire hunter with a similar backstory to your own and get worked in that way.


Think I'm gonna go ahead and upgrade my Klar from +2 to +4. I've been trying to keep my weapons evenly upgraded but that's not really feasible with the Axiomatic property on the Sword of Aaqa eating so much gold.

Honestly, I'm kind of tempted to sell it at this point. Its special wind blast thingy has literally never worked.

Would Tenser be interested in buying a historical artifact weapon, perchance?


Sorry to hear that. Glad that it seems like you're on the mend at least. Back injuries are no fun.


Yeah. I might make a purchase but I don't think I have enough for anything big.


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Skyrim Rampage Cap'n Yesterday wrote:

How was Winterhole the former capital, it has like fifteen buildings and a third of those are burned down.

Maybe they need to stop fighting each other and start f*#$ing. Seems like they're having population issues.

Just saying, there seems to be entirely more bears and dragons then people.

A few years back the volcano in Morrowind erupted, destroying pretty much the whole island. That sent a shockwave across the ocean, causing an earthquake in Winterhold and a good 90% of the city fell into the sea (you can actually see some of the ruins down below the college if you go in that ravine).

It's the main reason the inhabitants of Winterhold town hate the College, they resent the fact that so much of everything was ruined but the college is still standing, and some people think they caused it for whatever reason.


You all right? I didn't know you'd been injured.


Untentril wrote:
So why, in your estimation, do different Banes not stack with either mg die or enhancement bonus? They explicitly aren't the same special ability, cuz u can't take the same special ability twice, right?

Wrong.

Bane: Can I apply multiple bane special abilities to the same weapon? If so, do their effects stack? wrote:

You can apply multiple bane special abilities to the same weapon. For example, you can have a +1 dragon- and fey-bane longsword, which has an increased enhancement bonus and damage against dragons and against fey.

If you have multiple bane effects on a weapon and attack a creature against which more than one bane applies (such as a chaotic- and evil-outsider bane weapon used against a demon), the effects do not stack: the weapon's enhancement bonus is only +2 higher than its actual enhancement bonus, and it only deals +2d6 points of damage against that opponent.

(Compare to fighter weapon training or ranger favored enemy bonuses, both of which say you use the highest bonus if more than one bonus applies.)

It even conveniently comes with examples of similar abilities that you can take multiple times with mutually exclusive effects. If your Fighter wields a dagger (both a Thrown and Light Blades weapon) they don't get 2x Weapon Training either.

They're still the same source: Weapon Training and the Bane special weapon property.


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Alex has consistently pissed me off in almost every episode this season. She's worse than f%@@ing Laurel over on Arrow, and that's saying something.

She has such an entitled attitude. She makes the wrong choice, b!$~#es people out for calling her on it, doubles down on the bad choice, and then for some reason everybody apologizes to and makes up with her because her bad choices were cleaned up by them.

It's like everyone in this show is a masochist and Alex is their personal torturer. And mine.

"Oh, please Alex, give me more pain. Make more messes for me to clean up. F#@# up Alex! F&+* up harder! Please!"


You do...I was more hoping for one of the others to post.


Yeah, there's a LOT of various backgrounded Iron Fists, a few of them are showcased in The Immortal Iron Fist.

And, as vile a comic as the rest of it is, The Living Weapon does a good job of setting up the NEXT Iron Fist as a woman from K'un L'un.

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