Mr. DM, squad 3 seems to be nautical themed. I have an idea for a dwarven alchemist/bard with a bagpipe under one arm and a mortar under the other.
The question is if you'd allow for some tweaking of the Alchemist concept to allow him to make his bombs into mortar rounds, both for stylish awesomeness and to increase their range. (added construction times/cost/whatever is fine by me)
That sounds like an awesome concept.
That sounds like an awesome concept.
Glad you like it.
I was thinking of multi-classing to bard so I could pick up bard performance stuff, but I'm wondering if I could just drop the Mutagen ability for it (or some version of it). It's hard to figure out power level equivalencies, but my gut tells me that they are close enough that it wouldn't be unbalancing.
What do you think, Mr. Gamesmaster?
Perhaps mutagen and either the poison related abilities or the swift alchemy abilities. The problem with just mutagen is that is does not automatically improve where bardic performance does, but both poison usage and swift alchemy does, though neither by themselves would be quite enough to balance it out.
I think perhaps overall, increase the "mortar" range to 50, same as a sling, make its action's economy similar to slings and crossbows, i.e. move to prepare, standard to attack, add bardic performance, remove mutagans and either all of the poison related abilities or the swift alchemy abilities.
Perhaps mutagen and either the poison related abilities or the swift alchemy abilities. The problem with just mutagen is that is does not automatically improve where bardic performance does, but both poison usage and swift alchemy does, though neither by themselves would be quite enough to balance it out.
I think perhaps overall, increase the "mortar" range to 50, same as a sling, make its action's economy similar to slings and crossbows, i.e. move to prepare, standard to attack, add bardic performance, remove mutagans and either all of the poison related abilities or the swift alchemy abilities.
That sounds fine to me. Given the choice I'd rather lose poison use. It's not something the character would probably ever use anyway. Swift alchemy, on the other hand, I'd like to keep.
Pentor, finally got my backstory up. I'm all ready to go!
Hey Pentor,
do you have an email/AIM SN I can reach you at?
The character concept has evolved a bit. No more need for the bardic stuff.
I also changed my character a little.
Finalized the profile. Switched up the feats and traits. Added the Fey Foundling feat from the Inner Sea Guide to emphasize his spirit connection. And the Ancestral Weapon feat from the Adventurer's Armory for his Katana (Bastard Sword).
History done. will be fully completed before the end of tonight.
Still need to get those 4 spells, and scribe with leftover cash.
@ Pentor - congratulations on the new addition to your extended family. Hope the newly parents are coping well and getting sleep.
Don't worry about being a bit late - The Crimson Kings have spent the time sharpening our teeth to points and baying at the moon :)
Hmm after reading over the Alchemist rules Doomed Hero, I'm going to let you run with it. Create your character and your proposed changes and I'll look it over. If there's anything really dodgy I'll get you to change it but otherwise you'll be ready to go.
Basic changes are listed in the offense section of the character sheet, as well as some things I'll need to collaborate with you on.
I think the weapon limitations and advantages are reasonable. Let me know if you feel different.
She's actually a pretty placid baby, but shes like three days old so it's early days yet. I'm just glad that I live all the way on the other side of the city from them!@ Pentor - congratulations on the new addition to your extended family. Hope the newly parents are coping well and getting sleep.
Don't worry about being a bit late - The Crimson Kings have spent the time sharpening our teeth to points and baying at the moon :)
Congrats on becoming an uncle man... am one myself - like you took the pressure off lol. Means you can spoil em, then give em back once the tears or tantrums start!
I don't have any immeadiately but I'm sure I will think of something after we get into the swing of things.
I would recommend that you take suggestions via spoiler from other squads for our squad and we can do the same for their missions, that way you get some collaboration but we don't know what it could be.
Ok basic sypnosis for your first adventure is finding the bandit stronghold and then either return to the camp or try and take it out yourself. Anybody got any suggestions to incorporate into the adventure?
Should probably move this over to 'The Crimson Kings' OOC thread rather than the main one?
I would recommend that you take suggestions via spoiler from other squads for our squad and we can do the same for their missions, that way you get some collaboration but we don't know what it could be.
Seconded. Perhaps rotate suggestions for which squad suggests for which squad?
Should probably move this over to 'The Crimson Kings' OOC thread rather than the main one?
Seconded. Set up a spoiler bank or pool of various ideas?
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In relation to the Hero Point suggestion, I can offer some insight. With Hero Points available, it seems player become more reckless because they have the safety net that is the Hero Point available at pretty much anytime. Thinking he was okay, one of my players ran in head first and attempted to Hero Point out of a bad situation. He's currently dead.
Do with that what you will.
Perhaps the best way to handle this is a sort of pool of suggestions. I don't think we need a new tread, but what we can do is just start tossin out ideas in a sort o general sense, and Pentor can then mix and match whatever works for each squad.
What's good about this approach is that we don't use spoilers, and we aren't making suggestions for any specific squad, this way nobody really has any idea which ideas get used where.
Doc you only start with the regular Bomb Shell, which is equivalent to the regular Alchemists Bomb, to start off with and then as you level up you can make new Discoveries increasing the different type of bombs you have available. Unless I'm missing something?
Unfortunately yes. What you're missing is the fact that none of the rest of the shells are actually based on alchemist class abilities. Bombs are the weird one, and if anything should be separated and treated differently, it's that one. The other shells are just things that can be made with craft checks.
Basically, what the mortar is, is a long range delivery system for the stuff Doc can already make.
It's not the rounds that are special. They're just normal alchemical items. I just put some metal around them and launch them into the air.
The thing with Alchemists is that they only have a few bombs per day, but they can stockpile alchemist fire as much as they want.
I could just take the feats necessary to throw them really far (Hurler barbarian, far shot) and get about the same distance without the extra materials cost, but this is more stylish. I'd rather not be penalized by making them into Discoveries. It would really cripple a character that is already very sub-optimal.
What's good about this approach is that we don't use spoilers, and we aren't making suggestions for any specific squad, this way nobody really has any idea which ideas get used where.
This is true.
Ok basic sypnosis for your first adventure is finding the bandit stronghold and then either return to the camp or try and take it out yourself. Anybody got any suggestions to incorporate into the adventure?
My suggestion for the game is that we don't split the quads up into different missions all over the place. This game has a unique ability to take on more complex goals.
It seems like we have three groups that naturally lend themselves toward certain types of operations. Having them operate like an actual military company, using different tactics in different places to meet a common end, would be really neat.
Picture this: Assault the bandit fortress (this is just an example, not at all about what we're currently going for)
The mission is to take out the leader of the bandits and his close knit group of pals, rescue the kidnapped noblewoman's daughter, and destroy the fortress and scatter the bandit lord's men to send a message to future brigands.
So, one squad sneaks in to find and rescue the princess while another sneaks in to assassinate the leadership. The third squad assaults the fortress.
This lets Pentor create a very dynamic three-pronged game. Squad one sets fire to the keep, a bit later squad two discovers that part of the building they're in are on fire. Squad two rescues the princess, but has to get her out through he mess that the other two squads have created. the squad casters have reason to invest in spells like message and whispering wind to communicate between groups.
It would even let us rearrange the squad rosters to suit the particulars of the mission, which would be a fun thing to discuss in the main camp IC thread.
To me, that's a lot more exciting than doing three separate missions at the same time in different places.
True, but the amount of coordination required by the squads to keep the time flow steady would be impressive, and the day that one squad is held up because one person cannot post will slow everyone. The DM can NPC a character, but if someone drops, that will be a good bit more work for the DM.
I like the idea, but am a bit wary of applying it, especially since everyone got started already. That would be a nice arc near the end, however, once the squads reunite.
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True, but the amount of coordination required by the squads to keep the time flow steady would be impressive, and the day that one squad is held up because one person cannot post will slow everyone. The DM can NPC a character, but if someone drops, that will be a good bit more work for the DM.
I like the idea, but am a bit wary of applying it, especially since everyone got started already. That would be a nice arc near the end, however, once the squads reunite.
I completely agree. I like the idea but in a PbP it's a logistical nightmare.
I could see maybe down the road as a one time deal, or all the squads are working on the same overall task, just from different angles and from different locations, but otherwise, the logistics would be a nightmare.
Yeah it might well be a logistical nightmare, but I heartily agree with Doc that this could be something very unique...
I mentioned the idea of inter-squad transfers when this pbp was mooted... if Squad 1 need a sapper and call up Squad 3's then it fits well into tactical scenarios and "arms" of the forces... might be that Squad 2 need some black-ops or decent cook ;)... Abi's sequestered to them for a while. Would also allow for more Company base camp roleplaying where the squads mix like oil and water lol.
I also like the potential idea of us grunts ranking up and being given a squad to command... say Fury through acts of sheer luck [;)] becomes a Corporal and we somehow "lose" River Running then Fury might "inherit" Squad 1... field commission son now go lead em.
Having us so spread out means that's unlikely to happen for a while, but eventually would be nice to fighting on different fronts of the same battle etc...
Having us so spread out means that's unlikely to happen for a while, but eventually would be nice to fighting on different fronts of the same battle etc...
Thats the beauty of Merc Companies though, they can change missions/sides/employer/etc at the drop of a hat.
also like the potential idea of us grunts ranking up and being given a squad to command... say Fury through acts of sheer luck [;)] becomes a Corporal and we somehow "lose" River Running then Fury might "inherit" Squad 1... field commission son now go lead em.
Shortest lived Commission EVER. I'd be Ganoes Paran, minus the influence of the Gods that managed to keep him alive after Sorry slit his throat. Haha! Oddly though I would love that to happen, RP wise!
I say lets stick with things the way they are and cross our fingers that this thing actually gets off the ground. Running 3 PBP's is a big task, I hope Pentor is really up for it.
What else can I do to improve the games?
You're doing fine so far Pentor - and no problem with only getting online once a day. The main thing I would say is to make sure that things keep progressing steadily. So when you are able to get online, sum up what has been said so far and collate that to move the storyline along.
If someone hasn't posted in the 24hr window, it just gets assumed that they are happy with what others are saying or NPC'd for that round of combat.
As for an eventual meet-up, I think that post Level 5 would be a good place to start thinking about it. Gives us time to really cement into the groups, and have some squad fun before starting to complicate things.
If you would, when you require passive rolls (initiative, saves, checks to notice something in passing, etc), I would recommend rolling a d20, and labeling each roll for the character, so when we see it, we can apply our modifiers and give you a total.. It will save us having the single post that is a roll for something that we have to wait to tell you.
What else can I do to improve the games?If someone hasn't posted in the 24hr window, it just gets assumed that they are happy with what others are saying or NPC'd for that round of combat.
To add to this statement, because there are three groups and they are so large, I suggest that everyone announce another party member to make their character's action if they do not post in 24 hours. For example, I know that Black Dow understands my characte and I feel comfortable with him posting actions for Hakon if I disappear for more than a day. This will keep you from having to add more to your plate and help the group keep the action moving.
No worries about only posting once a day. I think that'll actually work for some people until schedules get ironed out and we get into the flow of things. But it's going great so far! I know I'm having fun!
To add to this statement, because there are three groups and they are so large, I suggest that everyone announce another party member to make their character's action if they do not post in 24 hours. For example, I know that Black Dow understands my characte and I feel comfortable with him posting actions for Hakon if I disappear for more than a day. This will keep you from having to add more to your plate and help the group keep the action moving.What else can I do to improve the games?If someone hasn't posted in the 24hr window, it just gets assumed that they are happy with what others are saying or NPC'd for that round of combat.
This sounds like a good idea. I'd say Monkeygod could do mine, we play similar characters and I'm sure that'll work.
Krathock can announce for me, since we are playing simular characters.
This sounds like a good idea. I'd say Monkeygod could do mine, we play similar characters and I'm sure that'll work.To add to this statement, because there are three groups and they are so large, I suggest that everyone announce another party member to make their character's action if they do not post in 24 hours. For example, I know that Black Dow understands my characte and I feel comfortable with him posting actions for Hakon if I disappear for more than a day. This will keep you from having to add more to your plate and help the group keep the action moving.What else can I do to improve the games?If someone hasn't posted in the 24hr window, it just gets assumed that they are happy with what others are saying or NPC'd for that round of combat.
Funny, I was thinking the same thing about you :-) sounds like a plan. If ur missing, I'll announce ur actions and vice versa.
Funny, I was thinking the same thing about you :-) sounds like a plan. If ur missing, I'll announce ur actions and vice versa.This sounds like a good idea. I'd say Monkeygod could do mine, we play similar characters and I'm sure that'll work.snipWhat else can I do to improve the games?snippy
Awesomesauce, glad you trust me with Blaze *evil grin*
In regards to the maps being made, I can make up the general layout as a base, and if you have paint or any other image editing program, you can edit it as you see fit.
I'll buddy up with Hangman.
Hakon the Hoochmeister is my partner in crime.
Ryuko and I got each others backs.
I could help Co-GM, but I think any co-gms should not be helping with their game. I'm not so hot on running mass combat, but I could help run a few encounters when needed.
Freeform would be interesting, but its tricky in this style game, though it can be done. Honestly, I think extra GMs would work better.
I also strongly suggest getting your hands on an NPC book and a book on traps n such. This way u don't need to waste time on such things. Any book with built in encounters and stat blocks would be hella useful too
Second to what Monkeygod has said - I would be happy to stat up foes for either Squad 2 or Squad 3. All you'd need to do is send an email with some minor details and I can expand into a combat ready statlist.