using the alternate possibility suggested of an all-Wizard partyThat suggestion exists? Yikes. Sounds about as difficult as the all white mages in the original Final Fantasy game.
Normally I'd agree. But in this adventure path, the PC get a free tank right in the begining, in the form of a half-fiend Ogre that kick ass. Then they get a few extra ones, like golems, onis, medusa, etc. If you add the fact that they can freely go for necromancy and undead bodyguards, they can easily overcome the natural difficulties of this kind of mage-only campaigns
Gustavo,
The short answer is that the PCs are not the only one interested in that hoard and what went down on that island. They will probably be too late to claim the treasure (they will be busy with Thorn's minions by then). But they won't be too late for some vengeance...
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
Gustavo,
** spoiler omitted **
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
Yep, I noticed it shortly after asking (rolled 1 in perception the first time :) ). Cambe back to delete the post but you already answered. Thank you :)
So... any word on book V?
... Or this new AP I saw mention of on your blog?
Dear Gary.
We've got Belinda Markadian as hostage. She is tied, and inside an Antimagic Shell. She's well fed, and healthy... for now.
We demand the immediate liberation of Book V, art preview from Book VI, and a few hints about Throne of Darkness. Oh, and chocolate icecream with peanut butter. Otherwise, the princess will die.
Yours sincerelly:
The Wicked Ones.
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Gary,
Question regarding Anton's Promise because I really do want to play this out...
Or, would it make more sense to go with the other open ended plot you had about the town, but nothing was done with, have the priest be a ghost and haunting the paranormal areas of the city after having been executed?
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Gustavo, I don't think Gary cares much about Belinda to start with... Otherwise, that's a brilliant tactic. Perhaps we can use the image of an army of bugbears plowing through Gary's front yard as a more effective threat. We seem to have a few spare bugbears nowadays.
No, that probably wouldn't work. You need to have them ransacking his liquor cabinet.
To kidnap a princess is such a classic plot I couldn't resist :)
To kidnap a princess is such a classic plot I couldn't resist :)True, but we all know that she's not really kidnapped. She's just waiting for the right moment for destroy us all.
Not inside the antimagic shell :p
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Not inside the antimagic shell :pTo kidnap a princess is such a classic plot I couldn't resist :)True, but we all know that she's not really kidnapped. She's just waiting for the right moment for destroy us all.
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No, that probably wouldn't work. You need to have them ransacking his liquor cabinet.
Ah, yes, that would work. But that would be a waste...Let's try an incentive?
-ahem-
Dear Gary, the sooner book 5 is out, the sooner we'll give you money, so you could buy one of these!...
** spoiler omitted **Not inside the antimagic shell :pTo kidnap a princess is such a classic plot I couldn't resist :)True, but we all know that she's not really kidnapped. She's just waiting for the right moment for destroy us all.
Where does it says she is a
EDIT: Actually in pathfinder half-dragons are magical experiments more than off-springs, and in any way, half-dragons have wings, which Belinda does not
Right now, she is a lvl 19 human sorceress. Seeing that
Gary has just announced in Facebook that the Book is finished, and should be out the day after tomorrow. So we can start to press F5 :)
I don't know Gary's plan for the future of Bellinda, but right now, she is NOT a half dragon. Half dragons have a much more bestial look, with scales (natural armor), wings (and fly movement) and claws and bite attack. Looking at Bellinda's picture, it doesn't seem her bite doesn't look that much dangerous... ;)
We don't know how half-dragons background is in Talingarde /firemountaingames world. Maybe it's a decision they make, like half-elves in Middle Earth, where they can choose to be elves or humans in life span. Or any other thing. But right now, Bellinda is not a half-dragon. A half dragon looks like a 4e dragonborn or 2e Dragonlance setting Draconic. They have wings, and claws, and jaws, and scales, while Belinda looks humanlike. A very beautiful human, indeed.
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Um, about needing those things... she does. At least two of them. And they're free actions to hide.
Wings (Su): At 15th level, leathery dragon wings grow from your back as a standard action, giving you a fly speed of 60 feet with average maneuverability. You can dismiss the wings as a free action.
Just saying. Technicalities.
Spoiler:Being the daughter of a dragon does not make you automatically a half dragon, just like being the daughter of a fiend does not make you automatically a half-fiend.
...wtf? Since when?
And this is the first time I've ever heard someone say "being the child of a dragon doesn't make you a half-dragon" without the implied consequence of "because you're a full dragon". WTH? And the whole line of "half-dragons tend to come from experiments" doesn't rule out half-dragons by breeding - just says they're less common, and that there are lots of half-dragons running around because wizards are crazy, not because dragons sleep with everything that moves.
RE: Half-Dragon appearance/aesthetics: there's really NEVER been a consensus on "half-dragons look like this". Sometimes they are, indeed, very bestial in appearance akin to 4e's Dragonborn. But sometimes they're drawn as nothing more than humanoids with wings and a few patches of scales, or a couple of horns, or claws, or other minor traits. Most are, at least in my experience, somewhere in the middle.
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About Bellinda...
The very brief stats given to her in Book IV (a human sorcerer 19) were Bellinda, unaware-her-full-destiny arcane teenage prodigy. In Book VI, she will get a full stat-block that will represent -- Bellinda, fully-awakened potential savior of Talingarde. Suffice to say, they will be different.
Bellinda is a unique sort of half-dragon.
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
Um, about needing those things... she does. At least two of them. And they're free actions to hide.
** spoiler omitted **
Just saying. Technicalities.
I'm aware of those, but another technicality is the word "can". A sorcerer "can" grow claws or wings. Bellinda is simply unaware that she can.
On the other hand
to Orthos:
No, a half-fiend has certain template, that a cambion does not.
and
Regarding Belinda
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Gary,
With all the Belinda talk, my original question got pushed back.
Question regarding Anton's Promise because I really do want to play this out...
Or, would it make more sense to go with the other open ended plot you had about the town, but nothing was done with, have the priest be a ghost and haunting the paranormal areas of the city after having been executed?
*press f5*
*wink*
*press f5*
*wink*
...
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Gary,
With all the Belinda talk, my original question got pushed back.
Question regarding Anton's Promise because I really do want to play this out...
** spoiler omitted **
Kevin,
Here's some random ideas. I also like yours. Use which ever you prefer.
I don't think it should be Thorn. Thorn already has PILES of backstory and made a deal with a pit fiend. Another deal would just clutter up his plot-central narrative arc.
Instead, Thorn is addressed by Naburus the Pit Fiend (see Book V) as High Priest in Talingarde. This temple was established by the PREVIOUS high priest, Moren Tyrath, a cousin of the current High Inquisitor Solomon Tyrath (who gets a full writeup and is a major enemy of the PCs in Book VI).
The devil is bound there because his contract states that he waits for the word of the High Priest of Asmodeus in Talingarde. Currently, that's Thorn. By the end of Book V, it could be one of the PCs. Then they can release the devil and gain his gratitude.
There is another Horned Devil in Book V -- Zaerabos, servant of Zaeros, who likely knows about the bound Gethran Hate. He could be another information source.
Hope that helps,
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
It's available now, right here.
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Hey Gary,
Just looking at Markadian (towards the idea of giving him a makeover) and I noticed an oddity in his stat block.Str 16 (20), Dex 18, etc.
And he has a Belt of Physical Might (Str, Dex) +2So I am think that he should have:
Str 16 (18), Dex 18 (20); or
Belt of Str +4John
The belt's already in the stats. That's not what the brackets are for. He's been buffed with Bull's Strength.
"Just before they teleport here, Quintus casts archon’s aura, prayer and holy aura on the entire party and bull’s strength on the king"
If anything, since Bull's Strength doesn't stack with itself (enhancement bonus) it should be Str 18.
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Hey Gary,
Just looking at Markadian (towards the idea of giving him a makeover) and I noticed an oddity in his stat block.Str 16 (20), Dex 18, etc.
And he has a Belt of Physical Might (Str, Dex) +2So I am think that he should have:
Str 16 (18), Dex 18 (20); or
Belt of Str +4John
The belt's already in the stats. That's not what the brackets are for. He's been buffed with Bull's Strength.
"Just before they teleport here, Quintus casts archon’s aura, prayer and holy aura on the entire party and bull’s strength on the king"
If anything, since Bull's Strength doesn't stack with itself (enhancement bonus) it should be Str 18.
Ah, missed the part about the buffs. Str is correct at 16 (20) [the +4 from the Bull's Str over rides that from the belt].
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Hmm, I think King Markadian's stats don't include his Toughness Feat.
While my PCs haven't gotten to Sir Balin yet (game on hold while I move), I concur with the idea that the King should be doing more damage, or at least something 'different' to make him more of a unique fight so that my players will find it a memorable encounter.
To that end, I decided to use the Two-Weapon Warrior archtype, but maintain the 'Shield' focus.
He isn't complete yet, but ideally the King will get into the midst of the PCs and whatever henchmen they brought to the fight and then unload.
To that end:
Whirlwind + Lunge + Shield Slam + Spiked Bashing Heavy Shield + Greater Bull Rush
Everyone within 10' gets a 2d6+7 shield in the face (+10 more with a Power Attack) and a free Bull Rush against everyone which if they get moved generates AoO for all the King's allies.
I suspect I'll only be able to pull this trick off once, but I think it would be very cool to have the villains being tossed away. :)
Now I just have to decide if it would be too much if I had the King drink a potion of Enlarge Person before arriving... :)
Go for the enlarge person-potion, but make sure to give the king's minions the same treatment, otherwise it's too easy to target the king, though the visual effect would sure be iconic....
That is VERY cool John Hare. Including potion of enlarge person. The king has been trained by the best. So he should know all tricks.
He's THE king after all. ^^
If you have complete stats I would be delighted to see it.
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That is VERY cool John Hare. Including potion of enlarge person. The king has been trained by the best. So he should know all tricks.
He's THE king after all. ^^If you have complete stats I would be delighted to see it.
I'm still working on the full stats. But yes, I'll post them here when I'm done.
One other thing I'll probably do is up the 'gear' on the king. The king seems to have approx 55,000gp worth of gear. Which to me seems a little on the low side, after all this is the king shouldn't he have some of the best gear available? Not sure if I'll go as high as the WBL value for a PC, but at least 1/2 value, especially as the other NPCs who accompany the king also seem undergeared. (the 4x lvl 10 cavaliers don't have magic armor or weapons)
That is VERY cool John Hare. Including potion of enlarge person. The king has been trained by the best. So he should know all tricks.
He's THE king after all. ^^If you have complete stats I would be delighted to see it.
I'm still working on the full stats. But yes, I'll post them here when I'm done.
One other thing I'll probably do is up the 'gear' on the king. The king seems to have approx 55,000gp worth of gear. Which to me seems a little on the low side, after all this is the king shouldn't he have some of the best gear available? Not sure if I'll go as high as the WBL value for a PC, but at least 1/2 value, especially as the other NPCs who accompany the king also seem undergeared. (the 4x lvl 10 cavaliers don't have magic armor or weapons)
They don't even have *decent* armor or weapons, let alone magic ones. They wear banded mails, wooden shields, and non-masterwork axes.
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He isn't 100% yet (still need to work in the Enlarge Person stats) but here is a rough draft of how I'm changing the king. Hopefully I haven't made too many errors... :)
King Markadian, the Brave
Male Human Fighter (Two-Wpn Warrior) 16, AL LG
Init +8, Senses Perception +0
Defense
AC 35 (+11 Armor, +6 Shield, +3 Dex, +1 Dodge, +2 Deflection, +2 Nat AC)
HP 172 (16d10+80)
Fort +16, Ref +11, Will +7 (base Fort +10, Ref +5, Will +5)
Defensive Abilities: Defensive Flurry (+4 dodge w/full attack with both wpns), Combat Expertise (-5 to hit, +5 to Dodge), Improved Shield Bash (keep shield AC when bashing), Mobility (+4 to Dodge when moving),
Offense
Speed 25ft
Melee: Standard Action (Sword & Shield Attack) Longsword +23 (1d8+7, +2d6 vs Evil, 17-20, x2) and Shield Bash +23 (2d6+4) w/ Free Bull Rush
Full Attack: Longsword +26/+21/+16/+11 (1d8+10, +2d6 vs Evil, 17-20, x2) and Shield Bash +26/+21/+16/+11 (2d6+7) [also gets +4 Dodge to AC] w/ Free Bull Rush
Full Attack Power Attack: Longsword +21/+16/+11/+6 (1d8+20, +2d6 vs Evil, 17-20, x2) and Shield Bash +21/+16/+11/+6 (2d6+12) [also gets +4 Dodge to AC] w/ Free Bull Rush
Whirlwind Attack (w/ Shield Bash & Power Attack): Shield Bash +21) 2d6+17 w/ Free Bull Rush
Ranged: Comp Longbow +22/+17/+12/+7 (1d8+4)
Offensive Abilities: Twin Blades (+3 hit/dmg w/full attack with both wpns), Equal Opportunity (AoOs he attacks with both weapons), Power Attack (-5 to hit, +10/+5 to dmg), Lunge (+5’ to reach, -2 AC), Whirlwind Attack (1 attack vs everyone in range), Shield Slam (free Bull Rush)
Statistics
Str 16 (20), Dex 16 (18), Con 18, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 14
BAB +16/+11/+6/+1, CMB +21 (Bull Rush +25), CMD +38 [42 vs Disarm/Sunder]
Feats: Improved Initiative, Toughness, Two Weapon Fighting, Power Attack, Improved Bull Rush, Shield Master, Spring Attack, Lunge, Greater Bull Rush, Dodge, Combat Expertise, Shield Focus, Improved Shield Bash, Shield Slam, Greater Shield Focus, Mobility, Whirlwind Attack, Combat Reflexes
Skills:
Class Features: Defensive Flurry, Twin Blades, Doublestrike, Improved Balance, Equal Opportunity, Perfect Balance
Gear: +2 Mithral Full Plate, ‘Victor’ +2 Longsword (Holy, Keen, Called, Impervious), +2 Composite Longbow (+2 Str), Belt of Physical Might +2 (Str/Dex), +2 Heavy Steel Spiked Shield of Bashing, Ring +2, Amulet of Natural AC +2, Cloak of Resistance +2, Gloves of Dueling, Potions of Cure Serious Wounds (x3)
Thoughts?
I should mention that I may have screwed up the 2 Wpn Fighting numbers from the Two-Weapon Warrior & the Shield Master combo. But that can be a quick fix.
I also like the flavor of giving the King a 'named' sword, in this case it can either be the Victor's original blade w/ upgrades, or it was forged to pay tribute to the Victor. Either way makes it more memorable I think.
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The main reason why everyone's not properly equipped is because of the rules for "treasure by encounter". If every NPC was maxed for wealth the PCs would be well beyond their WBL table. As such, I've been making all the enemies -1 CR due to being underequipped.
Apparently I left out the skills for King Markadian V... however since I wasn't changing them I guess it doesn't matter. :)
Any particular reason why he's got an impervious weapon? Or, no? BTW, took me a bit to realize where you'd found it (Ultimate Equipment).
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The main reason why everyone's not properly equipped is because of the rules for "treasure by encounter". If every NPC was maxed for wealth the PCs would be well beyond their WBL table. As such, I've been making all the enemies -1 CR due to being underequipped.
Apparently I left out the skills for King Markadian V... however since I wasn't changing them I guess it doesn't matter. :)Any particular reason why he's got an impervious weapon? Or, no? BTW, took me a bit to realize where you'd found it (Ultimate Equipment).
I just thought the Impervious quality kind of neat to add to the sword.
So either1) it was the Victor's sword and since it is an heirloom they don't want it to break; or
2) it is named for the Victor and as such they want it to be one of the finest weapons out there.
Actually the -1 CR for being underequipped is a good call (wish I'd thought of it).
Having said that, I probably will probably bump up the 'King's Party' up a bit in wealth, after all its the King! He should have good gear and I can't see him being willing to have bodyguards that don't have good gear as well.
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Actually the -1 CR for being underequipped is a good call (wish I'd thought of it).
Having said that, I probably will probably bump up the 'King's Party' up a bit in wealth, after all its the King! He should have good gear and I can't see him being willing to have bodyguards that don't have good gear as well.
That's the thing though. It doesn't even have to be good gear. Just give them tomes +X. The king's supposed to be this great and powerful leader. How'd he get that way? He's educated. Granted the textbooks were all tomes or manuals, but still. And the PCs don't get any of that. The same could be of his party. They too could be educated with inherent bonuses. And because they're so expensive, it adds up really quickly.
Nice John !
The king is mean (and soon dead I hope).
What is Impervious weapon since i don't have ultimate equipment ?