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Will post gameplay later and offer explanations then as well. Sorry for my absence, everyone! The basics of why I was absent is that I had a minor mental breakdown and have been having frequent low blood glucose levels from hypoglycemia, which is just now being reigned in (I have a diagnosis as proof, if anyone is interested in me putting a picture up,). Sorry for the clipped post, I just feel exhausted at the moment.
Just creating a generic post for all my campaigns to explain things, because I feel emotionally exhausted. What happened last night was my friend tried to kill herself, but I managed to help stop her before she could finish. She's angry at me because I stopped her, but I didn't want her to throw her life away like that. I know I made the right decision, but knowing that she's mad at me breaks my heart. I just don't know what I can do to help her. She's got a lot of medical problems and has been depressed for years, which is further compounded by the actions of persona non grata as of late. Any prayers you would send for me, send for her instead. I'm quite tough myself, but have difficulty when I cannot help someone I care about. I will try to post later today or tomorrow. Sorry for burdening everyone with this problem, I just figured it was better to let everyone know what was going on so no one thinks I'm skipping out on my campaigns or anything. Thank you, everyone who sends support and prayers and God bless you all.
I'm about to leave college, so I WILL post gameplay in a few hours!
I believe people I befriend on the boards to be just as real of friends as those I make in real life. The relationship is fundamentally different, but then again, so are many 'real life' bonds, right? People you meet in real life have an easier time comforting you, but I have found through personal experience that people you meet online, such as these messageboards, can provide emotional support. I know I have gained much support from everyone here, despite the fact that I tend to vanish from the boards at times. SO BASICALLY, THANK YOU EVERYONE! Emotional monologue aside, does anyone here have a medical background? If so, do you know what could be causing bouts of lightheadedness and nausea? I have a few theories, but am trying to formulate a comprehensive list.
A good point Mamoru. I've been busy keeping my friend RVT mentioned in her threads from exploring her suicidal thoughts. I think she's a bit more stable now, since she's had time to process things. I will post soon!
47 Ronin was awesome. End of freaking story! I was acting like more of a fan girl than RVT when I saw that! If you actually know her, that's a HARD level to top! As a note, no I'm not a female, it's just that fanboy is not a term in the vernacular lol. Just waiting on RVT to finish up and we will resume gameplay!
Ok, how's this: RVT may select any class she wants, but everyone else gets one free retrain, in any class, after clearing the castle (Perhaps with some tomes that detail techniques to adjust ability scores?). What does everyone think? Sorry about the temporary Easter holidays vanishing act! EDIT: I thought I said all official PF material, plus 3PP material, subject to my approval? I thought I said it, but who knows lol.
She has almost completed her character! I must say, it looks EPIC! We've been busy playtesting her two campaigns encounters, which is why she hasn't completed her character yet. Look for it tomorrow!
Ok, I'll let her know. She warned me that the character is exceedingly strange, so I hope it will mesh good. And I KNOW she won't drop, because that girl's got drive and can get emotional about her characters. We will resume once she posts, which will presumably be either today or tomorrow from the sound of it.
Everyone else? Need I pull out the Wok Pan of War +7 and force an answer?! :P
Good idea Mamoru, I'll get to that before the party begins. I will send Hiriko another, in case he/she did not get it. Mai, thought I specified? If I didn't my apologies, 3. I am trying to wait and see what Hiriko's doing. If he/she doesn't show, I will let RVT complete her character and join, if everyone approves, of course!
Was waiting on Hiriko. Anyone heard from him/her (The player. I know the character is female!)? If Hiriko doesn't post soon, what do you all suggest?
Those who correctly identified the wall earlier or can make a DC15 Knowledge: Religion check:
These suits of armor are possessed by malevolent spirits, likely from whatever tragedy took place here. Channeling the divine can quiet these spirits and put them to rest, as can sacred exorcist tags. Failing that, destroying enough of the armor can release the spirit's hold over it.
As Mamoru strides into the room, the air feels... off. Soon, the cause for this feeling of wrongness becomes apparent: several pieces of the scattered armor begin reassembling. As they rebuild, fresh blood begins to run down them, similar to the wall earlier. Within mere seconds they stand fully assembled, rusted katanas in hand.
About to post!
I'm back! So, who's still here? Finding out before I post gameplay. Again guys, sorry about the phone incident.
I was just waiting for everyone to wrap up the RP and set off to do something. If no one does by tomorrow night, I will kickstart things.
Is it just me or is the website slower because of the new format? Or is it possibly because I'm phone posting? As I told my WotW group, I will probably see if I can set up a mobile hotspot and make sure it's not just my phone.
Takeshi opens the door cautiously, given the dangerous inhabitants of the castle already discovered. His eyes scan the room even as they water from the stuffy air, the smell of reptilian musk thick. A large table lies in shambles in the middle of the room surrounded by books, scrolls, and loose sheets of paper. A flight of stairs winds along a curved wall to the north. Empty pedastals line the walls, the ceremonial armors crumbling on the stone floor. A solitary armor still stands, left hand resting upon a sword hilt at it's waist and the right grasping the bottom of the facemask, as of contemplating something. A dead, half-eaten tick the size of a goat lies near the base of the statue.
I'm back! Used all my data for the month on my phone on school junk. I have upgraded my data usage and this should not happen again for a while, until probably around midterms and finals. I also dropped a course in college that was eating up all of my free time (Globalization course and the requisite 12 essays, I spit at thee!). I will post later, as I'm about to leave the college for the day. I hope this has not disheartened anyone? You know breaks this long are rare for the most part. Ed, sorry that my squick moment had to occur as you joined. I hope this did not set a tone for the campaign! Are you still up for it?
Lang, you may walk in the castle and look around. The main hall is likely where people will notice your footsteps, unless you announce yourself. Alternately, Immonoth can sniff them out and lead you to them. I'll leave the exact method up to you. I will post tomorrow, as I have part of an essay to work on tonight.
Mojo eyes the trail rations for a moment and lunges at them, mouth wide open. He latches on to the food and in 3 gulps, swallows the entire meal, and lets out a tiny belch. He then greedily laps at the water and uses the tip of his tail to wipe his mouth, Oh, that hit the spot Sophia-San! After hearing Sophia speak about the library, Mojo shakes his head, No Sophia-San, you don't understand. The library had more than just interesting and rare tomes, it had the secrets of activating the Spirit Gates scattered all over Tian Xia. Surely you have seen them, the massive red gates? With the proper rites and relics, one could travel to any of them simply by walking under one. But let's worry about that for another time. He looks around for a moment, I am curious, who is here with you?
AHAHAHAHA! FINALLY SOMEONE GETS IT! Cookie for Seori! *Hands Cookie of Absolute Power, +7* *Claps for Ed!* http://jaderegent.peepersbog.org/chapter1/Brinewall-maps.pdf Also, the map is above. I will add it to Wu Fen's profile. Sorry about the bootleg version, but I can't get to a scanner at the moment.
Will post later, as I just got back from the party. Sorry I was absent, college is just being stupid with 'essay this', 'reading that'. Stupid social construct named and vilified as institutionalized education! Nothing like lazy societies where apprentice programs have been dead for decades or centuries, is there? The gall of people to say you need to pay thousands of dollars for a glorified strip of toilet paper to go on your wall! Sorry about the rant. On a lighter note, spicy beef teriyaki lo mein noodles with shiitake mushrooms, different types of capsecins (Spelled correctly?), and hot onions is delicious! Oh and we may have a monk joining the campaign, since my cousin's flighty mind drifted from the idea of Pathfinder. Edward Sorbel originally applied with his monk and wasn't chosen, but of all goes well, he will be able to join, so let's give a round of prelimary applause for him! :)
The fox creature looks bewildered for a moment, Wait... it's been centuries since I last went to sleep? I knew I would outlast them, but I didn't think it would be like this. Tell me, is the library still preserved? Please tell me the brutes you say occupy this castle at least have respect for literature! As Sophia introduces herself, the little creature seems to calm down somewhat, Your name is Sophia? How odd, I've never heard of a name such as that in our lands. Errr... not that it's a bad name! It's rather sophisticated actually! And here I am being rude. *AHEM* My name is unpronounceable in your tongue, but the late Emperor used to call me Mojoiin the Sagacious. You can call me Mojo, if you would like. At the mention of food or drink, Mojoiin perks up, Food and drink? Yes, Sophia-San, that would be lovely. A few hundred years of sleep can really give someone an appetite! Do you have any rice wine or glazed duck, by chance?
Letting everyone know the second round of ice storms this year are currently afflicting my state. I may be absent for 1-3 days possibly.
As Sophia picks up the pipe, a sheen momentarily catches her eye, an amber shimmer on the pipe. The tobacco reservoir of the pipe lengthens and squirms, rapidly changing shape and turning a pale golden color. As it twists and writhes, you feel the stem grow warm and furry in your hand. In a matter of moments, the pipe has turned into a golden-furred serpent with a fox head. The creature opens it's mouth and yawns, a vivid blue tongue lolling from it's mouth. After it's yawn, the creature observes you with wide red eyes. The creature opens it's mouth and... begins to speak? That's a rather rude way to handle me while I'm asleep. Ah well, at least it was by a rather... beautiful lady anyway. the fox purrs out, it's muzzle seemingly fixed into a grin. It looks around for a moment, Wait a second... this room doesn't look right. What's going on here? Were are all the servants? The minstrels? The petty little nobles? Our honored Emperor?
Sophia removes the bricks easily, the mortar powdery and crumbling. She looks into the empty space where the bricks where and spots a thin-stemmed smoking pipe made out of teak. Mamoru smashes the wall again and the whispers subside as the chunk of stone stained with blood falls to the ground. A blue wisp of energy coalesces from the blood and slowly fades away with a sighing noise.
Hey all, tonight's party night. Sorry about being silent on the boards yesterday. I'll try to post tonight but if not, I will tomorrow. Also, sorry about the testing. Showing my cousin how to post the other day.
As the demonic samurai nears the wall, tge whispers begin to rise. Before they can work their way into his head, Mamoru slams his spear into the wall, causing a massive, spidery rent to appear in the stone. The whispers grow quieter, but start to grow again. Mamoru holds on to his discipline and all he feels is a chill run across the nape of his neck. Sophia examines the wall where the magical emanations come from and notices the stone color is a much darker shade and unworked stone, as it someone tore a part of the wall down and bricked it back up.
POSTING TEXT FORMATTING TEST!
THINKING! REALLY?
Takeshi's lockpicks lift the last tumbler and a small CLICK is heard.
Sophia:
Your gaze lingers on the magical aura behind the wall. You focuse... a faint silver aura of conjuration laced with a green aura of transmutation. The aura is somewhat small, less than the length of a forearm.
As for the Elemental Paths, each path grants a set bonus, but I tailor the abilities to each character specifically. So Hiriko, no matter what you pick, I will make sure the abilities mesh well. Everyone's 1st level ability is offensive, that much is a given. No such thing as too much offensive abilities. Especially at low levels when it's easy to go squish and you need to wipe out enemies quick! Everyone added the blessing yet? Mamoru, have you added the embodiment yet?
Mamoru, glad to hear it! I try to make my campaigns as awesome as possible and try to include familiar yet alien themes. Sometimes it pays to be interested in extremely random concepts that I research on a whim! To explain ability scores being different: fire would have fit CHA extremely well, but it seems to fit INT just as well. Wood is WIS because although wisdom is timeless like many great trees, it is also similar in 'that which does not grow shall fall into decay'. Air embodies DEX more as a common sense sort of thing. And Water I chose as CHA because it directly opposes Fire, and in life, intellect and personality are two forces which are almost diametrically opposed (Some rare people such as myself and likely everyone here possess both in spades, but most conform to the 'socially awkward genius, Sheldon', 'ditzy font of charisma, Bryan Griffin's Girlfriend', or average categories,). On a related note, a campaign where people are embodiments of the 5 alchemical humors would be pretty awesome too! 5, you say? Some texts add ectoplasmic humor, as well as the classical choleric, phlegmatic, melancholic, and sanguine humors. As for my cousin, she's a great roleplayer but has a distinct bloodthirst in games. I mean, when I first told her about Skyrim when it first came out she asked, "Oooh, is the Dark Brotherhood back on it? Please, please, PLEASE!". Being the type that enjoys stealth-based games like Hitman, Metal Gear Solid, Deus Ex, ect., I can't fault her for that! She's definitely of above average intelligence, so she should pick up how to play pretty fast, as long as she doesn't look at the core book and stroke out at the number of pages! It was just a 2 hour read for me, but speed-reading isn't exactly common, so I'm giving her a week-ish to look things over. She recently has acquired an interest in 'bow sniping' on Skyrim, so she likely will play a similar concept. Also, sorry about the delay Mamoru, I just haven't had that much in the way of funds to mail those games out yet. I like having the extra space, but glad I decided to not go completely cold turkey on games! I may when I start volunteering as a human trafficking rescue worker (I already heard from my mother, 'It's dangerous!', but someone's got to do it. And my white knight complex [Hero complex, basically, in case no one knew what WKC is.] sort of makes it hard not to do.).
Everyone excited about the blessings yet? I hope so! Any ideas which ones you all will pick? Mamoru has chosen Earth. Takeshi has expressed interest in Air. And don't think because someone else has chosen it that it is off limits, because that is not the case. I would simply have to make each have different powers. On an unrelated note, I may see if my cousin wants to join this campaign. She is definitely a newbie at Pathfinder, but she loves RP'ing a lot and has expressed interest in playing. Any objections? I won't subject you to Death of 1,000 Cuts if you do object, I just want opinions. She'll probably be playing a slightly unhinged stealthy type. She and I just think she would get a good education in Pathfinder if she played in my campaign since I'm much more laid-back, spoil the players with awesome stuff, and throw challenging battles at them. This campaign, thus far, has been MUCH less deadly than a typical campaign I subject PCs to. But there is a reason for the elemental shrines and other crazy stuff wait for PCs to use. >:) Also, Mamoru, you only wanted Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem, correct? I have chosen to keep my PS3, but still getting rid of almost all else.
Oddly enough, the energy continues to coalesce around Mamoru , dropping the table to see exactly what is going on. Instead of sinking into flesh, the golden motes of light coalesce into the form of majestic dragon of stone that wraps around him and sinks into his skin. He drops to his knees, hands touching the stone floors. He grunts slightly as his body glows with orange light, which pulses in rhythm. Everyone's heartbeat seems to synch with the pulse. Without warning, he raises his harms and slams the ground, light exploding from his form as the very floor around him ripples and shatters.
Seori and any who succeed at DC 15 Knowledge: History or Royalty: ]Jyunitchi was one of the Seven Warriors of Heaven, the chief servants of Emperor Tengoku the First, also known as the Celestial Emperor as he was an Oracle of great power who lead Tian Xia into a golden age. Jyunitchi was once a farmer, but on a chance meeting with the Emperor on a road near his family's rice fields, shielded the royal with his body to prevent an assassin's arrow from reaching its mark. After a brief battle, the Emperor asked the man for a single boon. Jyunitchi replied "If you would but grant me a new life with which to protect yours, great one, it would be enough.". Moments later, the very earth of the road rose up and snaked into his wounds, turning into flesh and blood. "No more selfless boon could you ask, honored one. The gods have shown their favor and made you whole. Arise now, boon companion of the Warding Earth, and follow that you be armed and armored in flesh as you are in heart." the Emperor spoke.
As Sophia places the stone before the statue and finishes her prayer, the statue's eyes alight with a yellow glow and it's mouth moves, words coming out in a resonant baritone, "The earth, savage and unforgiving though it be, protects and shelters all things living. Air may lash the earth, fire may try to consume it, and water may smash against it, but ever shall the earth endure; shield, womb, and foundation all at once. Receive you now, supplicants, the blessings of the earth. May it protect you as you walk in accordance with the Will of Heaven." The stone spins into the air and explodes, sending golden glowing particles racing through the air. The particles drift towards each person and settle on them. The particles tingle as they fade into the skin, which momentarily takes on a stony appearance before returning to normal.
Sophia:
You retrieved the stone from the teakettle and continue concentrating on the statue. It shines faintly with an aura of abjuration. However, there is an undercurrent of some more powerful magic that lies dormant and seems to be a combination of abjuration and transmutation. Hiriko:
You examine the statue's script, ever eager to soak in new knowledge. You see the letters are a form of Celestial script. It reads 'Behold Hakano Jyunitchi, Warrior of Earth and protector of the Emperor. Here his body stands, still as the stone he commanded, until the Imperial Blade commands him from his sleep to serve anew. Pray to the Warding Earth with offerings of stone and receive his blessing, a share of his power to all within his gaze.' Mamoru hefts the dining table over his massive shoulder, going to give that wall some payback.
Mamoru looks around the room. His eyes alight on the two heaviest things in the room: the massive table everyone sat at and a large statue reminiscent of Hakano Jyunitchi, one of the '7 Warriors of Heaven', legendary guardians of the Tengoku Emperors said to be immortal. The massive armored stone statue stands eye to eye with him, sword planted in the base of the statue and head bowed in solemn contemplation. The base of the statue reads 'Hakano Jyunitchi, Warrior of the Warding Earth'. There is some strange script below this that you cannot quite make out, strange flowing runes forming what seems to be a short phrase. Sophia only!: Eyes now attuned to the arcane, you sweep around the room, looking for magical auras. There are currently three readings in this room, though the presence of others can be sensed in the other rooms on this floor. One reading comes from the teakettle Mr. Flatbelly poured the poisoned tea from, apparently the stone used to heat it with. The next comes from behind a wall, apparently something concealed behing the bricks. The last reading comes from the statue Mamoru is eyeing.
Takeshi's arrow plants in the spider and it falls the ground and twitches as ichor leaks out from it.
Awesome stuff Onitaru! Glad the website is finally up to stay this time, since it kept booting and redirecting for what, 2-3 days? Now we can get this campaign moving!
Seori maneuvers to flank the horrible verminoid and swings her blade with all her might to try to finish the fight. In her zeal, her swing does not hit the intended area, but sill manages to cut into the monster's flesh. Sophia fires her icicle, motioning like she is firing a dragonfire cannon, as the Tian lands call firearms. The icicle plants itself firmly in the Ettercap's emaciated gut, eliciting a pained shriek from him. Hiriko's bolt plops into Mr. Flatbelly's head, sending him to the ground, sickening ichor oozing from his head, but still breathing. Mamoru, determined to never have to look at the foul creature again, jabs the blade at the base of Mr. Flatbelly's neck, severing the spine with a loud *SNAP*. Mr. Flatbelly twitches for a moment, before letting out a gurgle and going limp, apparently dead. The wounded spider still limps down the main hallway, visible from the door. It moves in the direction of the front gate.
I used to know, but I forgot...
The problem is that if one player is abusing "broken" abilities or items and can handle twice the CR that the rest of the party can, a DM can't send baddies that would challenge the problem character without wiping the rest of the party out as an aside. I ran into that exact problem in a game I ran in 3.5... So saying "if they found loopholes and obscene power combos more power to them" isn't something I can or want to do.
Exactly. I am curious, Wraithstrike... how -did- you handle it in the end?
Oh my god! So it's so common they have a trope about it? *Facepalm* Wow... so I'd love to hear some of the absurdity you've all experienced at the hands of Chaotic Stupid characters at your tables.
Apologies if someone already did a thread like this one before, but I never saw it if there was one and I really want to discuss this. I'm sure we've all seen it... the player who thinks Chaotic Neutral is the best alignment because they don't have to do good things but they don't register as evil to Paladins and they can pretty much do whatever they want whenever they want without that pesky alignment system really bothering them, right? Right? I hate Chaotic Neutral to the extent that when a player wants to play a character as CN I immediately begin to suspect that they want to take it to avoid the alignment restrictions. I've seen everything from "I'm Chaotic Neutral because I'm insane!" to "I must be the embodiment of Chaos itself so you never know if I'm going to jump off a cliff, attack the party or dance a jig while the party is trying to do a stealth mission... because I have to do -everything- completely at random". It's enough to drive a (semi) sane gamer insane! What restrictions are there for a CN character? I'd like to hear what folks think Chaotic Neutral should truly be all about.
Wait...spell slots? Don't Sorcerer's cast spells spontaneously? Casting spontaneously has nothing to do with having spell slots or not. Metamagic feats work the same for both Sorcerers and Wizards... it's just that the Sorcerer doesn't have to prepare the spell slot with the metamagic feats on it beforehand like a Wizard would have to... but it still takes up higher spell slots if you tack on Metamagic. |
