Virid Dillest's page

Virid Dillest wrote:

A better estimate I think would be 100 + (IntMod * 10). A 7 Int PC would be sitting around 85, an 18 Int character would be 140 (obviously not rounding the modifier to whole numbers, but "int mod" is easier to write than "(int - 10)*5".

I think what you're after is 5*Int + 50.

Yikes. It is indeed. I am shame.

I've always assumed int=IQ%10. That's probably an oversimplification though.

Yeah, that's a little too extreme. A better estimate I think would be 100 + (IntMod * 10). A 7 Int PC would be sitting around 85, an 18 Int character would be 140 (obviously not rounding the modifier to whole numbers, but "int mod" is easier to write than "(int - 10)*5". It still isn't a great estimate, because it gets worse the further from 10 Int that you get, but it roughly covers a reasonable range.

GM is definitely wrong. Gypsy Prank already gives you the ability to do combat maneuvers much better than a full martial; adding strength or Dex to the mix is just nonsense. So, that’s the common sense explanation. As for lawyering...
There is no FAQ, because the dex bonus from weapon finesse replaces a CMB value, and your CMB is completely replaced by the perform skill. This is just too cut and dry of a ruling to ever get a FAQ, much like there will never be a FAQ explaining that you can’t just keep adding +1 enhancement bonus to a weapon multiple times to make it cheaper than adding a +5. If he reads these and still doesn’t accept it, he’s not misunderstanding, just obstinate.

Isn't there a rule that you can only make 1 magic item/day regardless of cost? This bond ability is the only thing that breaks that rule, as far as I can tell. So a druid with Herbalism can make a number of concoctions = their Wis bonus for free, taking 2 hours/potion (unless it is expensive) and then ALSO being able to make 1 more at normal cost and time limits as per the Brew Potion feat, but a person with the actual feat Brew Potion can only make 1 potion/day regardless of time/cost right? At least, this is the way I understood things.

I think the frequent consensus is that the "2 hours/potion" rule is the specific that trumps the general "one magic item per day" rule, although it RAW doesn't explicitly say, "You can craft potions at a rate of 4 per day AND can work a full 8 hour day", so technically you're probably right. It would be pretty s*@&ty though for a player with Brew Potion as an item creation feat to be stuck making only 50gp-250gp of items in a day, while the Craft Wondrous guy is easily getting his full 1kgp worth.

Honestly, if the GM removes the ability to sell concoctions effectively, the rest of the Herbalism caps out to "infinite 1st and 3rd level spells, from a the very reduced list of spells that qualify for potions (namely, targeted, non-personal). On top of that, using potions offensively isn't easily done, so you're practically limited to buffs and cure spells, and the druid's list of non-personal buff spells is pretty sparse. Sure, you'll have the best cure potions around, and lots of them, so you can pretty much remove the obligatory wand of CLW, saving the party 750gp.

My take away from the above is that the "free" concoctions each day are not only free in cost, but also in not requiring a spell slot to make, as further supported at level 7 when it says "She can also create a special concoction of any spell higher than 3rd level that she can cast, but to do so, she must expend a spell slot of the same level." Why clarify the slot expenditure now, unless it was bundled in to the "free" statement earlier?

Just as importantly, from a GM perspective, how would you rather see a player use this ability? To cast lots of low-level spells, and provide situational potions that they otherwise wouldn't make space for in their prepared spells? Or to make high CL versions of 3rd level potions, and then attempt to sell them to every NPC they meet, trusting in sheer numbers to eventually find some that are comfortable with druidic concoctions? Which sounds harder to balance, a druid with infinite 1-3 level potions (again, from only the druid's list, unless they multiclass casting classes and REALLY make themselves just a dispensary with no other purpose), or deciding just how much above the rest of the party you should allow their WBL to reach, since that's now the primary purpose of the Nature Bond? That's my take on it. As written, it's open to interpretation, so I recommend interpreting in a way that won't make you miserable.

Allow me to play devils advocate. IQ test has been accused of being influenced by societal norms for quite some time. As in people from different social-economic backgrounds tend to score differently because their expectations are different.

As such, IQ is actually a rather poor measure of IQ when comparing people with differing backgrounds. And as such, wouldn't Charisma figure into IQ? As for that matter, Wisdom should figure in as well.

IQ is a single measuring stick. Pathfinder breaks what the IQ test is suppose to cover into 3 different stats. All 3 of those stats contribute to what makes IQ.

I understand the thought, but strongly disagree.

I think 10*Int seems like a more reasonable estimate of IQ.

Typically, below a 70 IQ would indicate mildly handicapped, and 50 or lower is moderately handicapped. Since a player likely won't go below 5 for any pointbuy, 50 seems like the reasonable limit for an adventurer.

Recalling that a 10 is the average for a human stat, and that adventurers are well above average, 130 at 13 also works out. At those levels, a person would likely do really well on standardized tests, but they won't necessarily be acing them with perfect scores. That's more likely at a 16. Stephen Hawking would have probably been somewhere around 16-17 INT. 180 IQ would be more or less the limits of real humans, with the highest recorded values being about a 200.

Intelligence beyond that requires non-mundane/human means anyway (headband, dragon, etc), so it seems roughly appropriate.

I literally never noticed before that healing yourself with fervor isn't explicitly "no-handed". I always assumed if you could cast CLW on yourself with fervor and hands full, you could also just use straight fervor for the same.
I'd maybe argue that you can in fact touch yourself without having a hand free (you can deliver touch attacks through Unarmed strikes after all, and those could use a foot). Just tap your ankles together, and BAM! You've touched yourself.

If someone wants to use up two levels and bind themselves to the paladin code of conduct to get that saving throw bonus, who am I to argue?

True. In the discussion of "Should Paladins be so strictly limited in PF?", I generally dislike the requirements...but accept them solely for their effect in limiting the number of characters with passable Cha from dipping two levels :P. It's the only thing that makes the dip hard to swallow.

I have dipped with virtually every character I've played who reached/started at level 6+, either by regular-dipping or multi-classing. It has never actually made me more powerful (with perhaps one exception) than if I had just gone with the straight class. I would be outraged if any GM tried to ban my unoptimized, purely-for-fun shenanigans.

Virid follows nonchalantly, a ways behind Daren, presumably to the east and not toward the fishy smells of the wharf. Along the way he appraises any abandoned houses for cleanliness and structural integrity, trying to find one that would be a good place to stay for a few days.
Know Engineering: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
In a low voice, so as not to carry past his companions,
A town this size, and on the run-down side to boot...going to be hard to gain their trust or get the truth out of them.

Virid continues into town with Freya, attempting to appear separate from the rest of the larger group.

I’ll work on the intra-character dialogues. It feels a little strange to me, but I’ll build on it. As for the “spoilers” for specific people...how should I use those? Any time I speak specifically to another character, or only when it’s something that I would want to keep personal/private in my personality revelations?

Virid turns discreetly to Finn in passing, whispering,
Are you sure about this? Once word is out that we’re not simple visitors...it’s going to be hard to appear casual.
Continuing on, he stops by Freya.
Well, I don’t know what all the ruckus here is, but shall we continue?
Virid holds out his arm for his traveling companion.

Virid shakes his head.
I guess I never thought I’d leave Knob’s Mine. And most of the stories I’ve heard were about the capital. But...a town is a town, right? How different could it be?

Virid is a summer ready as he’ll ever be. To the accountants!

Does seem like we would need some starting information to catch him for sure. We probably won’t find a diary that says “today I stole money from the tax rolls”. A copy of what he sent in to his superior sounds like the bare minimum we need. And how the taxes are calculated.
Virid pauses for a moment looking thoughtful.
And yes, Bess should be able to haul extra gear that we don’t need on our person. No point is lugging lanterns around during the day!

I don’t know what accommodations are available near this town, but my tent is quite large. Should fit four of us if necessary. Beyond that...if some has another tent, Bess can haul it for us
Virid gestures toward the donkey that he has already begun harnessing.

I’m down with the observation that Gweenth is likely to be more useful for an intelligence mission than Brock, and mission #2 sounds more like intelligence than brute strength.

@carth
I suppose not.
Virid accepts the pipe and gives it a couple tentative puffs.
So, how did you get caught up in all of this? Doesn’t quite seem like your kind of place.
Course, I don’t know if this is anyone’s type of place. Except maybe Brock.

Having half-heartedly thrown his vote in with the rest, Vir decides to walk around the camp a bit. sense motive for mood of militia: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
If he runs into Carth, he’ll stop and strike up a conversation. Otherwise, just observing the camp as a whole, seeing if other groups are similarly being presented with new orders, etc. pick up a feeling for the general mood of the militia.

Virid inwardly winced at the thought of interacting with people in a new town.
Makes sense that out of everyone, Mor would be the least likely to notice. But I doubt I’ll be able to gather any helpful information unless it’s a whole town of half-orcs.
I...think I’ll let Finn handle the information gathering. I’m...shy.

Breaking in the new brushes, Virid attempted to capture a likeness of Finn.
painting: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 2 = 18

Ah, quite right. I’ll add in a pack saddle for 5gp. Yeah, I assume they call it a “mule” to make it unsuitable as a mount for small creatures, else why not just call it a “pony”. Donkey is a better fit though, and it matches the image I have in mind better. A donkey is more...poor and efficient?

Yeah, I wasn’t sure what possible restrictions there might be on purchases. If the mule isn’t allowed, that’s fine. I just figured it might come in handy for the squad as a whole. I wasn’t sure I’d have much use for another exotic Proficiency, but I was pretty pleased to find the Throwing Shield. Might not use it often, but it’s another option to add in the mix.

Having been suitably chastised by the dwarf’s assessment of his cleverness as being “the easy way”, Virid determined to do better in the future. He spent free time in the evenings reading about engineering and how it was used to create puzzles, and painting portraits of his squad mates to stay connected to Sune. He was too embarrassed to ever hand them out directly, preferring instead to slip them onto their owners’ bunks when everyone else was out.

While wandering the camp one after training one day, he saw a squad practicing battle maneuvers. One of the men held a defensive position behind his shield before abruptly whipping his arm forward and letting the shield spin toward a wooden target. It struck with enough force to leave a deep line in the oak.
Now that, that I could use. A shield that I can quickly shed in case I need my hand free for a spell.
After talking with the man, and making sketches of the unusual straps on the shield, Virid took the plans to Gweenth and asked her to have the quartermaster make one like it.

Ok
Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Throwing Shield

Darkwood Throwing Shield 307gp
Masterwork Artisans Tools: Painting 55gp
Mule 8gp
Total 370gp

hitpoints: 1d8 ⇒ 2
Taking half instead.

Gained Fervor Warpriest class ability.

Still working on my items

Finn, I guess I disagree? It looks like a pretty weak spell to me. Being blinded would be nasty, but it’s really just a save or suck spell, and one that only works in dim light or worse. Hold Person for a free Coup de Grace is more dangerous and has the same will save.

When we get back to camp, a last minute addition to our squad is waiting. Fortuitous, since we lost an absent-minded herbalist in a tragic obstacle course accident. A guard in red was quoted as saying “huh. I’ve never seen that happen before.”

Could be. Wish I’d made a sense motive check on Fieram at the beginning, but hindsight is 20/20.

Virid glares at the impossible wall.

Virid gives a growl, which quickly devolves into a chuckle at Gweenth’s comment, and he throws himself at the wall, awkwardly clambering to the top.
climb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Why is this top log so slick?! Virid manages the panicked thought in He brief moments before his grip fails and he thuds heavily back to the ground. After brushing himself off and painfully stretching, he attempts the climb again.
climb2: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
How did I not learn my lesson the first time?!
Virid’s fingers slide off the slick portion again.
climb3: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Breathing heavily, Virid groans as he crests the top and pauses to catch his breath.
I’m certainly not off to much of a start. It will take all of my luck to catch up at this point.

Having finished eating, Virid hurries back to the barracks and changes into just his clothing. Seeing Mor pack a knife, and remembering how suddenly their last battle had come upon them, he hesitates and then wraps a whip around his waist as a makeshift belt. It circles him nearly three times, but otherwise isn’t overly noticeable.
Yes. I didn’t realize they were recruiting so many. In a camp this large, we might spend our whole term of service marching and cleaning without ever actually being used. I’m...not sure how I feel about that.

Grumbling as his clothing brushes over the still raw brand, Virid dresses and steps out to the line, snorting when he passes Finn and Daren.
If i’d known whining would work, I’d have put up more of a fuss as well.
Expression sour, he stands at the ready, but relaxed.
Hope they have better things for us to do than be talked down to and burned.

Face set in a very grim line, Virid steps up to the stump.
Let’s get it over with then. An ugly thing to do to men who sign up to defend your lands, but I’ll not be making this an even uglier affair.
Virid nods to Vi, and drops to his knees, muttering a few words, presumably to Sune.
fort save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
nonlethal: 1d4 ⇒ 3
fire: 1d2 ⇒ 2
As soon as the blacksmith indicates that the process is over, Vir stands and walks stiffly over to the others, spitting disdainfully to the side. He glances at the water barrel, but makes no move toward it.
I’ll heal it later. For now, let them think about it.

Virid removes his tunic, grumbling under his breath.

Well, worrying over it won’t help anything right now.
Virid begins attempting to carve a small animal with his belt knife.

Virid pauses, then grabs another of the ale jugs and sits down near, but not exactly with, the other two. Although curious about what Brock is suggesting, he can’t help but feel that those thorn order people sounded familiar...
know history: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
I guess not. Everyone is stories is always named something grand like that. “The Honorable Order of the Wildnerness” or some such. Blast that branding though. Sune hardly smiles upon blemishing your skin. I’ll have to talk to them about an alternative. The pain itself is of no consequence, but there must be a better way still.

Finn, I think you might find that chain shirt isn’t as heavy or restrictive as you think it will be. But, if there are any spare ones around that are going unused, I think it might be beneficial for me to wear one.
That Bjorn is remarkably well behaved for a wild animal.

Virid blinks rapidly as his bed shudders. Stretching, he gets out of the bed.
I must have been more tired from that fight than I realized. The bed certainly isn’t that comfortable.
Looking over the assorted equipment scattered on his bunk, he shrugs and puts on the armor provided for him, though he sees no difference. The bow went over his back, but he hesitated upon hefting the axe.
It’s so heavy. I don’t know if I would really use this...
A look of uncertainty on his face, he shouldered the axe as well.
Well, I guess we eat. We certainly have earned it.