hustonj's page

How about doing the math instead?

555/7 = 79.28 with 4 copper remaining.

Everybody gets the EQUIVALENT of 79 gold, 2 silver, and 8 copper, while the common share gets the equivalent of 79 gold, 3 silver, and 2 copper

Math really IS your friend!

72 G 65 S 78 C - 215 coins
72 G 65 S 78 C
72 G 65 S 78 C
71 G 76 S 68 C - 215 coins
71 G 76 S 68 C
71 G 76 S 68 C
71 G 77 S 62 C - 210 coins - Group share.

Why dice off when it can be split equitably?

- And somebody will have to carry Sunny's share, as well as the group share.

Working with the experts, the Aasimar provides overall guidance and is firm in his will to accomplish the reconstruction, but he allows the experts to BE the experts. He does beginning apprentice-level work for each of the experts, learning some aspect of their trade in order to contribute to every step of improving the ruin.

One of the unexpected directions from the experts was to take pickaxes and create a small, flattish field near the structure. The scree created during the work would be used as filler if needed, but also it would be used (after being further pulverized) to help make mortar for the stonework.

Helping lay the lines showing where the walls were to be built was one of the easiest tasks Dinenen helped with in the early stages. Moving stone to build those walls was probably the toughest.

Spent the weekend supporting my wife's desire to play the Diablo Open Beta, which meant I was watching the grandkids more than usual. Sorry.

Honestly, Dinenen wants to get to working on the tower. He's going where it seems he can contribute, because he believes he should. Continued exploration or the induction is simply about putting things along a timeline, as far as he can tell.

"Tell me this doesn't look like a room for the baddie to chase us out different paths, to split us up and make us easier prey. Not a spot to wait, really . . .."

How do the Silver Shields play in the market obviously dominated by the black-clad Mercenary League?

Trying to better understand the political situation.

"Of COURSE it matters who paid! Whether I am a slave or not, I have a significant debt. More if not, honestly. Would Abadar want me to ignore that debt, or to find a way to honor it?"

---

Drek lets Tacitus ramble on, as he's obviously excited. At the end of the day, though, all his ramblings and teaching is more about accepting information that Drek might need later. There's nointerest in Drek's thoughts to working towards being a "proper halfling." He eventually shakes his head as Tactus is running through the listof names. "No, I'm still me, even if I'm in . . . THIS. I have no reason to insult my parents by throwing away the name they gave me. Yes, I know, in many societies, it is normal to take different names when something significant happens in your life. That's not how I was raised. I am Drektan."

---

As for the question about how to approach the mines . . .. "I suppose we'll have to work the details once we see the condition of the equipment. The better shape the mining gear is in, the easier it should be to look around."

Survival: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"Really? Rat rats, or R.O.U.S.s?"

YES! 1 Resolve for Stamina! Absolutely.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22 Hyuck.

"If ya want, I cin help wit' tat." Pointing at the work Zephyr's laying out.

Mechanically I doubt there's a reason for me to roll an assist, but, hey.

Engineering assist: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 20 = 26

Honestly, other than PC magic twinkle, nobody's got a reason to get Drek Raised/reincarnated. That doesn't bother me. PC loss is supposed to be a real threat.

I'm good either way.

When I mentioned roles earlier, the one rely suggestedci wasn't understood. Some examples roles are healbot, knowledgebot, dps, wall, status clearing, buffer, battlefield control, blaster, and on and on.

Drek is a knowledgebot with some healing/buffing.

That's what I was talking about. With 1 primary role of that sort I have many options on how to get there.

But, again, I'm good with you working to restore Drek, or not. Either can be made to work.

1 DAY left until GM stated cut-off for submissions. Please note that the GM has expressed a preference for full builds over simply answering the questions.

All non-character aliases are listed by the account's primary handle.

Submissions with presented builds (alphabetic by character name):

Andrea1- Liz Ardoc - NG F Human Druid - Child of Kintargo - Staying up on Current Events
SqueezeMeNow - Tern Bismeth - NE M Human Fighter (Dragonheir Scion) - Child of Kintargo - Protest Government
hustonj - Kizzy Purrun - CG F Varisian Cleric (Hidden Priest) of Milani - Diva in Training - Protest government/Meeting a contact?
Louxman - Uli Sabaniero - CN M Varisian Bard (Archivist) - Gifted Satirist - Meeting a contact
Camris - Idril Ssethan - CG F Varisian Bard (Dervish Dancer) - Diva in Training - Looking for Idol
Mightypion- Kriemhild Stridsdottir - CN F Half-Orc Bloodrager (Steel Blood) - Fed up mercenary (citizen) - Not getting paid!
Malinor - Malinor Vashnarstil- N M Human Arcanist - Child of Kintargo (Vashnarstil) - ?
Critzible - Asmodia Voralius - NG F Tiefling Inquisitor (Living Grimoire Preacher) of Shelyn - Gifted Satirist - Keep up with current events

Submissions with questions answered but no alias/build that I see (by alias):

pinvendor - ? ? Human Vigilante (Magical Child) - Child of Kintargo - Looking for trouble
Rabscuttle - Halvarg Fersen - NG M Half-Orc Brawler - Pattern Seeker - Meeting a Contact/Staying up on current events
Smiles-a-lot - ? M Halfling Vigilante (Teisatsu) - Historian of the Rebellion - Meeting a contact
Snow_Tiger- ? M Half-Orc Rogue (Thug) - Starstruck - Looking for your Idol

Dots (by alias):

Ironperenti

Withdrawn (by alias):

Chapel36
Robert Henry

So, what do we have?

Reserved seats:

Magus
Rogue - Shathee - CG M Sylph Unchained Rogue
Warpriest

Submitted builds (alphabetic by character name):

Rabscuttle - Dashka - NG Female Sylph Oracle of Wind, with the Deaf curse
Daynen - Leylia Lucresh - NG F Human Witch
markofbane - Molasbar - CG M Elf Wizard (Diviner/Foresight)
Mokumurian the Great - Kondru Saagod - NG M Human Wizard
Torilgrey - Rheagar Stonewarden - LG M Dwarf Cleric of Iomedae
pinvendor - Rex Trulian - NG M Android Alchemist (Gun Chemist)
noral - unnamed - LG ? Ifrit Bard
Mightypion - Aurie de Valois - CG F Human Bloodrager (Urban)
hustonj - Yhato - ?G M Shoanti Archery Fighter

Dotted (alphabetic by primary account handle):

DoubleGold
Evindyl
friendly sauce
Saashaa
SqueezeMeNow

Withdrew (alphabetic by primary account handle):

Tazo
ZetaGilgamesh

1 week left until GM stated cut-off for submissions. Please note that the GM has not expressed whether answers only or full builds are required. I am drawing the distinction purely for comparison's sake, as I don't know for sure how much is desired, either!

All non-character aliases are listed by the account's primary handle.

Submissions with presented builds (alphabetic by character name):

Andrea1- Liz Ardoc - NG F Human Druid - Child of Kintargo - Staying up on Current Events
hustonj - Kizzy Purrun - CG F Varisian Cleric (Hidden Priest) of Milani - Diva in Training - Protest government/Meeting a contact?
Louxman - Uli Sabaniero - CN M Varisian Bard (Archivist) - Gifted Satarist - Meeting a contact - build not within limits
Camris - Idril Ssethan - CG F Varisian Bard (Dervish Dancer) - Diva in Training - Looking for Idol
Mightypion- Kriemhild Stridsottir - CN F Half-Orc Bloodrager (Steel Blood) - Fed up mercenary (citizen) - Not getting paid!

Submissions with questions answered but no alias/build that I see (by alias):

Critzible - ? F Tiefling Inquisitor (Living Grimoire Preacher) - Gifted Satirist - Keep up with current events
Malinor - ? M Human Arcanist - Child of Kintargo (Vashnerstil) - ?
pinvendor - ? ? Human Vigilante (Magical Child) - Child of Kintargo - Looking for trouble
Smiles-a-lot - ? M Halfling Vigilante (Teisatsu) - Historian of the Rebellion - Meeting a contact
Snow_Tiger- ? M Half-Orc Rogue (Thug) - Starstruck - Looking for your Idol
SqueezeMeNow - L?? M Human Fighter - Child of Kintargo -Protest Government

Dots (by alias):

Rabscuttle

Withdrawn (by alias):

Chapel36
Robert Henry

Anyone with combat training who has sparred is already confident that anything approaching a diplomacy attempt once the combat starts is wasting their time. I'm going to assume you are trying to distract me, to get me to let my guard down. I'm going to ignore you and try to get out of the fight with as little harm to me as I can manage.

And if we're fighting with lethal weaponry? Yeah. Diplomacy ended as soon as my life was threatened. Especially if a third party is still actively trying to do lethal damage to me while you're trying to talk. You are the only opponent, and your entire fighting stance/actions are defensive? Makes listening easier to accept, but the conversation will still be assumed a distraction.

So, I see mentioned:

teifling inquisitor
half-orc brawler - has not answered questions
human fighter
human/half-orc multiclass dip to Spirituaist (fractured soul)
human cleric (hidden priest)
human bard (dervish dancer)
halfling vigilante (teisatu)
? bard - has not answered questions
?human druid - has not answered questions
human cleric (hidden priest)

10 ideas
2 bards
2 clerics

Pretty good for basically 2 days of submissions with build rules this restrictive.

"Trying to make it clear, I think I am hearing several related courses of action. Forgive me for the over-simplification." He ticks off each count on a furred finger as he speaks. "1) Stay inside the fort and attempt to defend what's left of the caravan during the siege. 2) Attempt to assist in breaking the siege, keeping the caravan within the fort until we succeed, or not. 3) Attempt to assist in breaking the siege, sending the caravan through in an escape attempt while we have the attackers flummoxed. 4) Get some of the soldiers to attack the catapults instead of us, and upon signs of success, lead the caravan through enemy territory in an attempted break. 5) Just take the caravan and make a break for it."

He looks at his companions before continuing. "We have already agreed that 5) will fail. The captain here suggests that 1) will lead to failure as well, as he doesn't believe the fort can withstand this assault for long. If 4) was an option we wouldn't be having this conversation, it would have already been started. So, it appears our meaningful choices are to attempt to break the siege, and either keep the caravan behind these walls or have them make a break for it and hope we can catch up to them. Maybe I'm overly simple, but I think keeping the caravan as safe as we can until we can rejoin it is the better choice, so I would propose we attempt the guerilla action while the wagons and merchants remain here in slightly less immediate danger. But such decisions are never in my purview." He actually BOWS slightly as he moves away from the center of discussion and towards one of the walls.

Delay was the intent. I'll jump back in as a response to the light being unshuttered.

Ioca moves up to where Billi had been standing at the door. Seeing the man in front of him, club and all, he goes to squeeze around the rail of the stairs right there and then tries to stick the man with his blade. All of it in silence, not even baring his teeth. Just business.

either stride then stride or stride then step. Same net movement.

Rapier Strike: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Piercing: 1d6 ⇒ 3

:facepalm: Knew I would pay for the 20 init!

So, congratulate him on achieving a difficult goal, or harass him about being a lawyer . . .?

Glad to hear you're making your way into the business you've chosen!

Still running through ideas. Quick question, is vigilante considered a base class?

I have trouble finding that answer on Nethys (the official Paizo online resource), but there is a listing on PFSRD20 that is very clear on which class falls into which category.

Sorry- forgot to add the armor and encumbrance penalties to Conrad's acrobatic check earlier... That's the problem with switching between a rogue and a barbarian in between campaigns!

It should have been a -5 penalty (-3 for Medium Encumbrance, -1 for Buckler, -1 for Studded leather armor), so just a +1 bonus to his Acrobatics check.

He rolled really well anyway (that would have still been an 18), but don't hesitate to remind me if I forget again.

It should have been -3, taking the worse of either your encumbrance, or the combination of your armor and shield penalties.

And your selection should be about trying to maximize the amount of fun you're going to have. If the GM isn't having fun, the game will die.

Pick the group you want to pick. Don't let somebody else's conventional wisdom tell you that you have to pick differently.

No need to, but sometimes I use a Shadowrun translator for Elvish, and sometimes I use a Tolkien translator.

And sometimes I just put other languages in a spoiler without a translation. If I'm doing translator postings, I am always at home taking my time with the post.

But, yes, you should do what you think is entertaining and fun, not what we do (or do not).

Ioca looks shocked, but his response suggests it isn't by the interruption as much as the comments within the interruption. "Angry? I'm not angry. I'm frustrated by somebody who doesn't understand the world Lamm and I come from. People we care about are effectively invisible to most of the city. People like Lamm see these children as things, as animals to train and use up, not as people. The ones he does notice, that he does remember, will be ones he takes a more . . . personal interest in. I hope he doesn't remember my sister. She's too young for that sort of attention. Finding him has been handed to us. The demand put before us is that we have to then keep him alive once we know he doesn't have the answers we want. THAT's the frustration."

As a Cowboys fan, I agree and have more experience with the impact of turnover TDS than most. Jalen Hurts thought he was Dak Prescott for one play.

Some of us were raised to respect the memory of what Tom Landry gave us.

Among other things, he was the first coach to bring computer analysis of players to the professional league.

The link in the campaign header still points to the slides from the previous module. In gameplay, the link under the GM's name is the current one.

Lost a bet with Sharkbait? What do you think, 'Dreamer?

Went ashore for water and found ourselves deserted?

I believe I have adjusted Terry to 20 pt build, 2nd level, no EitR, with Background Skills, and 2 Traits only.

And I'm making a giant pot of red meatsauce. Gonna have spaghetti and meatballs tonight, and will make a Baked Ziti probably Thursday. We'll see how much sauce is left at that point. Normally we get 2 or 3 spaghetti nights and a ziti or massive lasagna out of one pot.

Once Emerald looks to take a break, Drektan will move to replace her.

"Good people, I believe that we have been blessed to hear such a performance tonight. As she is taking a well-deserved break, however, I would like to tell you an old story if I may?"

He goes into a story of a group of Abadarians attempting to protect a long trade route, and the difficulties they encounter, and goods the lose, to Caydenites once, Calistrians once, and simple brigands a third time. In the end, they manage to complete the trip with enough goods to secure a profit, but just.

"The point of the story being, of course, that those who will be opposing us on this trip believe that what they are doing is right, and must happen to serve their people and their gods. We should remember that their perspective is the enemy, not the people themselves."

Perform (oratory): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 :facepalm: Not the way I wanted that introduction to go . . ..

For the record: I'm not avoiding the ongoing role-play. I just don't see where Ica would be jumping in as you are all arriving and settling in. Depending on what you do/how it goes, he is likely to make an appearance in a bit . . ..

Your starting assumptions are bad, so your entire point is invalid. <grin> Controversial enough start to the reply?

The original version of the modern TTRPG was known as the Chainmail Supplements. Chainmail was an arena combat game, designed and intended for optimized dice chukin' with the concept of role-play basically non-existent.

The Chainmail Supplements were written to take the arena combatants into the larger world and is where roleplay (as we think of the hobby) was born. Everyone involved was still grossly optimizing, because to do otherwise meant losing the character, QUICKLY.

Optimizing munchkins are working with core concepts on which all systems are built. Some game designers will claim optimization is a violation of the rules system they created, but, it isn't. It can't be. The system provides advantages for using it a specific way. Every system does.

Story-telling is how I like to describe the other frame of reference for our hobby. While the mechanics are the tools we use to see what happens, to interact with the world being created, the entire reason ANYBODY does it instead of playing (say) Diablo is to experience the story that the group manages to create as they face the world and its challenges.

One frame of reference is very left-brained. The other is very right-brained. Thus, people fit somewhere on the spectrum, based on how they think, on what part of their brain they use more and easier.

At the end of the day, this entire hobby is an entertaining diversion. We should spend less time arguing about how to play, a little time finding people whose style is close enough to our own, and then just let everyone enjoy their entertaining diversion. Whether their play is heavily dominated by one lobe or another, or neither, is far less important than remembering that this is supposed to be leisurely fun, not something to get upset about.

Mechanics: 5' Step. Draw. Ready to stick anyone threatening who gets close enough (except MAYBE Bry).

Ionatan casually draws his rapier and examines the blade as the threats and conversation unfold. He sounds bored as he starts. "Yes, by all means, SAVE the Deverin! You never know how much his uncle will pay for him, by the PIECE." The last word sounded far more angry than might have been expected. Until you think about what was said.

"Now, as for your poorly conceived effort to delay us on our journey . . .. Caused by you being too stupid not to get caught, as we didn't do anything about it, THEN. You seem to have decided that you'll force us to do something now, though. And we'll oblige. We will spill blood until these fools realize they really didn't want to try to stop us in the first place." And he drones ON and ON about how pointless this is and how it won't end well, etc., until somebody actually triggers his readied action.

After taking his strike . . ..

"Now, didn't anyone tell you it isn't polite to interrupt a monologue? I don't CARE how boring it is, the interruption is STILL rude."

Readied Attack w/ Bless: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 1 = 21
Piercing: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Opportune Parry and Riposte (if required)
Opportune Parry w/ Bless: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 1 = 14 Yuck! Unlikely to help.
Riposte w/ Bless: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 = 18
Piercing: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

If that happens and lands (Yeah, right), he'll follow up with "Stay!"

If taken, will put me at 4 of 5 Panache.

I hope so! It'll be hard to make friends after one of puts steel in the other's belly.

As they ride towards Talon peak he asks, "Dinenen, what are your plans? Will you be working on the foundations, just want to check the area out, or will you be exploring with us?"

"Given that I have no building supplies with me, I was planning to take some measurements, see how the foundation was laid out, if it is still reasonably solid. I want to be able to talk to engineers about the condition of the site and what we need to do to get started making it a secure structure again. Find out what supplies we need, and which we will need first kind of thing. I had assumed I was supposed to be coming with on the exploration? It will take time to get the work on the tower properly started. I plan to be labor during the work, of course, as I don't know enough about engineering to plan the details of what to do, but there is time before that will begin."

The Aasimar chuckles. "Some pieces are easier than others. I was more concerned about the more scattered people who don't consider themselves of Varnhold, for instance. The family up-river who live off the land and send logs downriver in exchange for some goods received once or twice a year. The small community that formed around an inn catering to travelers, who think of themselves as a small, strong, independent people. The ones who do not associate themselves with the people you have already saved. The ones who normally ignore the very existence of someone claiming to rule over them. The normal people leading normal lives who aren't likely to directly feel the kind of assistance you've offered Varnhold. They don't see any of us as their heroes. They don't see any of what you have done as important to their lives. We are others they have to watch to be careful we don't accidentally hurt them, that they can happily forget after we leave. They are the actual people of the land."

HUZZAH!

HUZZAH!

HUZZAH!

Wait. Didn't these two messages just happen somewhere else?

Will be here, but there's likely to be a delay of a day or so from me on responses. A friend of mine who's been battling cancer for some time passed away today. Not a complete surprise, but still upsetting, obviously.

I'm not the GM, but I just want to say:

These games can never be as important as real life or the real people we keep around us. If the choice is between living your life and typing about a character living theirs, PLEASE choose living your life.

Even the parts no one likes, such as helping other friends deal with the loss of a common friend.

Our real lives have to take priority.

I agree with the group. Interested players are CHEAP and readily available. GMs are not.

You should pick the AP you are looking forward to the most. Running an AP on ANY forum is slow, cumbersome, and frustrating.

I would most like to see CotCT (never really seen the inside of that AP), RotR (group died painfully with a fight between the GM and a player and between a second player and the other 2), or JR.

Generally, interest threads last long enough for the GM to determine he can make a table. Recruitment threads vary wildly. Some do first who post get in and are VERY quick. Others open with a target end date and reserve the right to announce the date will be moving up if there are a bunch of good submissions.

Given your preference for a significant background, I would think you want to give players with full time jobs time to do the writing you are requesting. Up to you, though. Your game.

Typical points in a recruitment thread include:

Build points
# of traits
Alignment restrictions
Race restrictions
Class restrictions
Source material restrictions
Variant rules used or not (background skills, VMC, Elephant in the Room, gestalt, whatever else comes to mind)

Big build points will draw more interest.
Monster races will draw very focused interest.
Evil alignments will draw very focused interest.
3rd party material will draw more interest.
Variant rules can drive more interest.

Define the game you want to enjoy. There will be plenty of applicants.

Mumbling to himself about being the lantern bearer, the easiest target, in a house of horrors, Garl moves with the others, doing his best to make sure they can see. Whether he wants to think about it in detail again or not, he's already accepted that his bow is the least useful weapon in the group inside this house, and he's avoiding breaking the peacebonds on his others unless he really needs to.

I need to learn to tell the difference between oracle and inquisitor.

Oracles are generally squishy and tend to be all enigmatic and stand-offish.

Inquistors think that anyone who doesn't see the world their way can be beaten into compliance, and should. Generally.

I hope that helps. <grin>

"Are we looking to take any ethereal jaunts or other forms of special travel? If not, I'll be fine on foot. I've been getting less exercise since joining your efforts, and need to get back into better habits if I am going to work myself into a better me. Besides, elk aren't really THAT fast."

Low stress. Perri has the feats he does specifically to prevent lethal interactions with other people from home. The guy charged with keeping the peace would rather disarm, stop, and embarrass you than kill you. <grin>

But, you know, other than the unlucky save dropping Perri, there was no chance this was going to go anywhere but where it has.

As his bill skitters against the armor of the beetle, Perri frowns and grunts in frustration, remaining still for just a moment too long, as the beetle's spray of digestive juices squirts through Perri's visor and manages to do real harm to the young man before he collapses next to the creature.

Con check, DC11 to stabilize: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Well, what do you know!

The elfin aasimar looks confused for a second. "I don't fly. It is just a jump. If you were willing to spend the time, you could learn to jump as far . . .."

Dinenen can jump 38' forward on a Take 10, and 58' on a Take 10 by spending a Ki point (from a flat-footed start). That translates to his feet 9.5' off the ground for a simple high jump or 14.5' off the ground with the Ki point. We should forgive the baron for thinking he can fly. <wink>

Sometimes these discussion channels seem to exist only to remind me how relatively calm my life is at this point.

Remember this old statement is a Chinese CURSE: May you live in interesting times.

I'm sorry your current life is an interesting story.

Trying to bring a scared man to a safer spot, you don't do that by taking him through unknown spaces . . ..

And you don't go picking fights at less than half strength, either.

Swordlord Jamandi Aldori brought forth a war chest for Greenwatch, for their progress with the Nomen centaurs and other accomplishments, 10,000 gp and 5 BP worth of materials for a new tower's construction. She winks and points at Dinenen with that stated.

The young aasimar is unable to avoid recognizing the obvious gift.

This leaves him feeling obligated to seek out the benefactor.

Looking about, he spots some sweet crossed buns and grabs two. With those in hand, and a bad idea in his head, he goes looking to see if he can find Lady Jamandi again in the crowd. Eventually he does, of course.

Moving towards her through the crowd, once he's near 10' out, he'll loft one of the buns in an arc, aimed to come down on her shoulder, calling out "Jamandi, catch!"

He continues approaching, the second bun held out towards her as he moves.

I figure we have 4 variants. I miss/she moves. She misses/the bun hits her person. She draws and cuts it out of the air. She catches it.

"I thought perhaps something both unexpected and non-threatening would draw your attention. I have another bun if you would rather have one without the delivery method?" He smiles weakly as he offers the treat. "I find myself indebted to you and need to thank you for your generous gift towards establishing a place of contemplation and study. As weak an offering as a free treat in a faire makes, still, it seemed a better choice than showing up truly empty-handed as I try to express my gratitude. I hope that we will be able to expand your gift into more teachers, more educated people in the community, and helping people to improve themselves, even if they chose not to follow in The Master's shadow. Is there something you would like to see included? A physical feature, or focus of study, perhaps?"

There is no Ioney. There is only Zuul.

Evindyl - Run with what you think will be fun. Simple rule.