Not me, sadly.
I will update my profile soon. I will keep all isle information there, such as what each location is. As you explore, I will reveal more of the map.
Me either. Not even sure what country it's in :)
Nice fog-of-war style map. Are we at point A or B?
Ah OK I see from the IC thread that we are at point A. Does point B represent anything visible that we have spotted so far?
Question to the group: Who of our characters is a natural leader? Sandboxy stuff like exploring the island will go much more easily and effectively if someone steps up and allocates tasks and organises people. I've got no problem as a player doing that kind of thing, but it would be bang out of character for Avarthiel. So does anyone else want their character to take that organising role?
In terms of objectives (building on Kythas' and Kystra's ideas, ranked in terms of urgency), I have:
- Find water (24 hours survival, or less as we're sick)
- Find any other survivors from the Jenevive
- Find food (3-4 days survival)
- Build shelter
- Scout for threats
- Discover any other inhabitants of the island
- Investigate the circumstances of the shipwreck
- Get off the island and back to civilisation
Any others?
Question to the group: Who of our characters is a natural leader? Sandboxy stuff like exploring the island will go much more easily and effectively if someone steps up and allocates tasks and organises people. I've got no problem as a player doing that kind of thing, but it would be bang out of character for Avarthiel. So does anyone else want their character to take that organising role?
In terms of objectives (building on Kythas' and Kystra's ideas, ranked in terms of urgency), I have:
- Find water (24 hours survival, or less as we're sick)
- Find any other survivors from the Jenevive
- Find food (3-4 days survival)
- Build shelter
- Scout for threats
- Discover any other inhabitants of the island
- Investigate the circumstances of the shipwreck
- Get off the island and back to civilisation
Any others?
Lilly could cast the Create Water cantrip indefinitely, which would get rid of the water problem.
I agree that getting a shelter constructed and checking out the Jenivere should be high on the list. Also food could be an issue, especially if everything onboard that might be edible has been poisoned or tainted.
I'd nominate Dantes for the role of leader myself, if he feels comfortable with it. Lawful, Monk, decent Wisdom, not a racist drunk, a crew-member (well, former crew-member), etc.
Although Kythas is from a tropical island much like this one and has the survival, nature and geography skills to keep himself alive and can/will offer advice, he just isn't the leader type. ;)
However, once we inevitably start exploring the jungle, I'll be happy to stay on point, probably stealthed and far enough ahead of the party so it's not important that everyone else be. Me and Lilly should probably work on some jungle bird calls to send quick messages back and forth like "There's some REALLY bad stuff up here.", "That's a BIG pile of dinosaur poo." and the ever popular "This isn't a bird call you guys, I just got carried off by a 30 foot Albatross!"
Ah, my bad. Lilly knows what the B is in-character - it's the Jenivere.
Also, the sickness has decayed.
Good point about the 'Create Water' spell. We can scratch that as a burning need. And good to know that we aren't sick any more.
Dantes as de-facto leader IC is a good suggestion, and we can all pitch in with ideas here. That way markofbane doesn't have to do all the heavy lifting.
Good to know we've got a stealth monkey :)
That 8 Charisma isn't going to do him any good with the Diplomacy checks on the NPCs should they arise. LOL.
Lilly wouldn't be a bad choice either, and she knows the jungle as well, if not better than anyone here.
Maybe we should have Dantes or Lilly direct the general course of action for us all, and have Kystra smooth things over with the NPCs if trouble arises there. (I'll try to keep Aerys distracted with rum if need be, hopefully she won't be too drunk to function.)
Good call on inventory taking too Avarthiel. I hates book-keeping.
I like the combination idea. As some of you know my posting schedule can be erratic. Weekends are usually limited, and some weeks I can post frequently, but some when I'm on business travel, are limited to after I check in the hotel at night, and we know how unreliable hotel internet can be...so I don't mind setting direction, but those are my limitations.
Well, I'm willing to help be a practical leader, but Dantes is really a low charisma character. And I'm not sure how well a lot of Chaotic characters would react to the declaration or designation of a single leader.
I won't be able to do GenCon; the only reason I was able to do Paizocon this year is that it was just across Lake Washington from where I live.
Well, Dantes, there's only one way to find out about that, isn't it? Leadership does require charisma, true, but common sense and wits is also important for survival.
Speaking of survival, building a shelter of some sorts requires a Survival check, and between 1 and 8 hours, depending on what you roll, and if you have tools.
Ship's wrecked on the beach.
Ship's wrecked on the beach.
Well, that solves the problem of getting to her!
Is her hull breached or broken enough so we can access her interior from the beach itself or do we get to climb up her side?
If it's safe enough (ie mostly intact and not in danger of being pulled back out to sea and sinking) Kythas will suggest using the wreck itself as a basecamp.
You'll have to actually get there before I can answer any questions like that...
You'll have to actually get there before I can answer any questions like that...
Re-did the last bit of my IC post to reflect him moving down to the beach and inspecting the wreck. ;)
I'm curious, how many of you are attending Gen Con this year?
My first year attending was last year. I had a great time, so I am planning to attend every second year, which means I will be going again in 2012. Its so dang expensive for me as I live in Western Canada.
I'm curious, how many of you are attending Gen Con this year?My first year attending was last year. I had a great time, so I am planning to attend every second year, which means I will be going again in 2012. Its so dang expensive for me as I live in Western Canada.
How far west? Is driving down to Paizocon an option?
Just so I'm understanding the description of the wreck correctly, the Stern, with the Captain's quarters and rapping sound is on the beach, but a short swim out? Open-end facing land and the closed end submerged?
Also, the other half of the ship is trapped on rocks farther out to sea?
If so, hopefully we will find what we need on the beached part and not have to reach the bow for further scavenging.
In addition to rope, hammers, canvas and poles, Kythas will be looking for a barrel of mustard dill pickles, a sack of dry pistachios and as many hand kegs of grog as he can fit into some net rigging and float back to shore!
Just so I'm understanding the description of the wreck correctly, the Stern, with the Captain's quarters and rapping sound is on the beach, but a short swim out? Open-end facing land and the closed end submerged?
Also, the other half of the ship is trapped on rocks farther out to sea?
If so, hopefully we will find what we need on the beached part and not have to reach the bow for further scavenging.
In addition to rope, hammers, canvas and poles, Kythas will be looking for a barrel of mustard dill pickles, a sack of dry pistachios and as many hand kegs of grog as he can fit into some net rigging and float back to shore!
Yes, that is correct.
@Lilly:
Next to Lilly, Eyeball seems to finally get to his senses - and while he is swaying, still a little sick, he looks to be fine.
He's awake, he's fine, I stated this last night.
Well, we'll just have to make sacrifices in the noble cause of 'Dantes not getting his head pounded by two giant bugs at once'. Agree it's a shame though ;)
Well, we'll just have to make sacrifices in the noble cause of 'Dantes not getting his head pounded by two giant bugs at once'. Agree it's a shame though ;)
Ah, yes. That would be great. Dantes saying Let's withdraw to the beach..., and Kythas disappearing like a Looney Tunes character leaving behind a ball of dust.
Um, maybe a little more strategically than that...
That was a bit hasty on my part. *whistles innocently*
I was hoping we could drop one between our party's attacks and the NPCs to make it a 10 vs. 1 fight at the start of the next round and didn't want to provide accidental cover for any additional missile/ray fire. (Not a lot of room for moving)
But yeah, F9 would have probably been a better tactical option to lessen the potential hurt of our favorite dwarf.
No worries! I was just trying to impose Dantes between Kystra and the critter. Not that he could take a hit a whole lot better, but it is in his nature. I did choose to attack the further creature rather than the one Kythas already engaged because of the throwing into melee penalties.
*sigh*
No OOC-only posts in the IC thread...
*sigh*
No OOC-only posts in the IC thread...
I apologize. I have removed mine.
I apologise as well - It's a massive peeve of mine, s'all..
Quick question Patcher.
How do you want to handle arrows and similar ammunition when fired?
I figure they're history if you miss and maybe 50/50 recoverable on hits?
I'll likely grab the bowyer/fletcher craft skill on level up anyhoot, but for now... :)
Also that was a total non-sexual wink at Gelik!!
...Well as non-sexual as it could be coming from an elf in his undies. :D
If 50/50, under 50 is a good arrow.
I don't think there are any rules for recovering arrows - and yet this is one of the campaigns where ammunition is actually scarce.
I think we can go with your suggestion.
I have a houserule suggestion I wish for you to comment upon.
ALTERNATIVE LEVEL ADVANCEMENT: THE STEP SYSTEM
The reason I suggest this is: instead of one big and drastic advancement every level, you gradually level up - so instead of two months (or what have you) between each visible character power increase, you get more visible results more often.
What do you think? Yes? No? If we do try it out, and end up hating it, we can abolish it.
Sounds interesting and I'm willing to give it a go.
Saw it in a few of the other PbPs I've been following and it looks like it will give our characters some much needed extra mileage, especially for the first few levels.
Me Likey!
I read that once a while ago and was intrigued. I'm game if everyone else is.
Makes sense, looks well thought out, and I can't see it breaking anything. Let's do it!
Then we shall officially adopt the Steps Progression levelling system for this Serpent's Skull Campaign.
Awesome. I'm interested to see how it turns out. I guess that means that you won't need to award XP, and will use your judgement as to when a 'step' makes sense? Will make it easier for you to adjust progression to match the AP requirements too.
Actually makes a lot of sense :)
This sounds good. I've never been a fan of accumulating trivial experience points and its also nice to see a character gradually progress. Looking forward to using this.
Just popping in to say that I'm having a blast so far in this adventure Patcher (and everyone else!).
Can't wait to interact more with the survivors (esp Aerys) and start exploring!
@Dantes: Only the supply room left in that part of the wreck.
Need a strength check or a disable device check to get through the hatch, by the way. Or plain ol' damage.
Yes, I'm enjoying the scenario too. Particularly the mystery aspect...
Heads up that I am heading off snowboarding after work today for the weekend, and will have reduced posting opportunities this weekend. There should be internet access at the lodge, but probably not on the mountain :)
Yes, I'm enjoying the scenario too. Particularly the mystery aspect...
Heads up that I am heading off snowboarding after work today for the weekend, and will have reduced posting opportunities this weekend. There should be internet access at the lodge, but probably not on the mountain :)
That's awesome! Have a nice trip and try not to break anything important. =)
I'll also likely be posting a bit less than my normal amount too. Celebrating a pair of birthdays, attending a work reunion at the local bar and helping a friend move over the weekend! (starting tonight)
I feel as though I should explain a little more about myself: why I'm running so many campaigns, how I find time, why my posting schedule can be a little sporadic, ect.
I'm unemployed. I'm diagnosed with BPD, a diagnosis I first got this spring. I've struggled psychologically with angst, existentialism, mood swings, confidence, emotional instability, compulsions, obsessions, social phobia, agoraphobia, trust, self-harm and suicidal thoughts for most of my childhood and adolescence, which caused me to drop out of high school, to be institutionalised in a mental hospital, ect.
I'm currently 22 and coping with life a lot better than I thought I ever would - though there are mornings when I wake up and I can't draw motivation to do much, and sometimes there are periods of time where I'm essentially catatonic and unable to do much with any enthuse. I recently had such a period.
Having said that, I ask that we don't put too much focus on my mental health, or that you don't worry too much. I'm getting somewhere in life and am for the most part content and happy. Still, I am in charge of this game, and the more you know and understand about my sometimes sporadic nature, the better we can communicate.
As mentioned, I also struggle with agoraphobia - something I combat as often as I can. I often get invited for board games or roleplaying games at a friend's place, usually spontaneously - and because it is usually in my best self-interest to get out of my apartment and socialise, I often do so. This is part of why I sometimes may vanish for several hours during hours I usually post.
In two-and-a-half weeks, my studies begin. I will be attending university. Depending on how rough the courses are, and how often I have class, this may affect the campaigns - but I will still try my best to post daily.
Having come to the Paizo forums and taken on the task of being a DM has done me wonders. It makes me content, it gives me purpose, and most of all, it keeps me busy. I am stressed - the positive kind of stress. I feel grateful too, for having found such great people and players to write and tell a story with. So I wish to thank you all.
I apologise if me divulging this makes you feel uncomfortable.
I think it's always best to get out and socialize under almost any circumstance. I know I vastly prefer being with friends in real life as opposed to sitting in front of a computer when given the chance.
(Not that I don't enjoy that too!)
I'm definitely not uncomfortable with anything you wrote either.
It sounds like you have a pretty good grasp on your troubles and that's the biggest (sometimes only) thing you can do to alleviate them.
I often wondered how you could juggle 4 games as a DM and then want to add a fifth... and a SIXTH!!!
If it's any comfort at all, you're doing a great job in this AP as well as the Kingmaker one. (probably the others too, but I haven't read them so as to not spoil the AP in case I run them later)
...now if I could only convince you to include a Jade Rhino figurine of wondrous power in our first treasure pile to aid us in smashing stuff...
I'm glad you're enjoying this outlet as well. For years and years (decades, actually) I ran the weekly table top games for my RL group and I know how much work it can be, even with modules. And I recognize that doing it in PbP is even more work than that, so I appreciate the time and effort that you are putting into this for us. If I recall correctly, you are in a Scandinavian country? I expect that means you are getting the support you need to make progess with your health.
Best of luck at the university! It took me nine years to get my degree (I was working my way through and typically couldn't take full class loads). Don't be reluctant to pop in and say you need a day, or week or whatever off to focus on papers or tests. You run a great game, and a short hiatus is a small price to pay for us to be able to continue on.
Yeah, I'm from Norway. Free health care certainly helps, though I do question the overall competency of the system. Having said that, though, I have an excellent doctor and have had wonderful therapists, so I won't complain about the last couple of years.
Dantes: When you do your actions out-of-combat, could you add an OOC note, so I can more easily understand what action you are doing? Something as simple as "Take 20 on attacking hatch to death." (or something in those veins)
Thanks for being open and honest, Patcher. It hadn't occurred to me to question your posting schedule, or your involvement on the boards as more than passing thoughts. I am just happy that you can invest the time in giving us such compelling games to play. For what it's worth, I'm 32, have suffered from clinical depression before, and these days... am doing pretty damn fantastic. Life can be very good, and telling stories with friends is a real part of that.
Thank you. I'm glad that you are finding value in what we all do here.
We should come up with a way to divide our loot. I'm all for doling it out evenly as far as monetary loot is concerned, including our NPCs in events such as the discovery of 400g where they're actually present (and in Ishorou's case, responsible) for the acquisition of said loot. (not that we're going to find a nice tropical bar or itinerant tradesman on the island anyway. *wink*)
Healing potions should probably be handed out also so they don't all go *poof* should the one carrying them all accidentally get pushed off a cliff or swept out to sea or whatnot.
Kythas isn't interested in either of Alton's belongings. He's a tad superstitious regarding taking things off dead he has no kinship with or didn't kill himself and would figure the nice leather didn't prevent the First Mate from getting himself killed, and the sword, shiny and pretty may it be, proved equally useless.
Yeah I'm not sure that money is going to be very useful for the next wee while. Avarthiel would probably only blow it all on rare inks, spell components, and scrolls anyway.
Fair enough about the armor and shortsword. Seems a shame not to get any use out of our first stash of loots, but if we can't use 'em then that's just how it is.
Also, good work taking the lead and freeing Jask. Avarthiel was all tied up in 'Lawful' vs 'Good'...
Good call Kystra!
Keep the brandy away from the wild elf that gets belligerent when he's drunk. ;)
Might want to keep it safe from Aerys too! (I suspect once she finishes the bottle she stole from the pile, she'll start eyeing my remaining rum)