Are we getting one or two caravan reincarnations? I'm happy to chip in. I'll cover the entire price (of one) if necessary. If we get enough money together, two full Restorations would also be good to have to get rid of the permanent negative levels, though I guess that's less critical than the Reincarnation itself.
I am considering the Caravan changes finalized at this time. Those what keep the sheets please:
1) Add the Scavengers feat
2) Change the covered wagon to a prisoner wagon, presumably named something more appealing (+2 Security, -2 storage).
3) Treasure now takes up an additional storage space.
4) Add the Sashimono of Comfort and its effects (including +2 Security vs. severe weather-related problems).
5) Fill whatever storage space remains with Repair Materials, and subtract an appropriate amount from the Caravan Fund.
6) Note that there are now two additional draft animals being kept, which adds +2 to Consumption. Liothonae has been casting one more daily Goodberry spell each day than she used to in order to compensate, bringing effective Consumption to exactly 0.
Given the extreme situation, Hrunndalf will sacrifice as many 3rd level spell slots for Create Food and Water as it takes (up to his total of 5).
Given the importance of Security checks, and the reduced efficiency of scouting, he suggests only using a minimum number of Scouts (maybe three, one for each shot of Resist Cold from Suishen?) and maximizing the Guards instead.
Hrunndalf does not have access to Resist Elements, but can cast Lesser Restoration up to 7 times a day to temporarily remove altitude sickness.
(Quick note on the quiver thing - due to some information that came out IC, Liothonae decided to buy back the quiver. Essentially, she spent her own money to buy it after it had "already been sold" by the group. So the group money distribution does not need to be readjusted.)
Alaric can add up to 4 Resist Energies and 2 more Create Food and Waters as well.
Lio can adjust her spell list as well, and will do so, to the point of contributing as much as she can. She could contribute both of her 4th lvl spells and cast Grove of Respite, to feed 16 people, although she only has 2 4th lvl spells total, and that might weaken her in a fight, she's willing to do it for group survival if necessary. She can also cast goodberries 5 a day (all of her 1st lvl spell slots. She also has some of the energy spells, i don't have time to look them up right now, but will post an accurate list after work tonight.
Well, if everyone used all the spells that have been mentioned so far, it would reduce Consumption by 44, not counting whatever Resist Energy spells Lio might add to the total. So, not all of those are needed.
Right now, before modification, we have the following spells dedicated to the Caravan:
Hrunndalf: 1 Endure Elements, 2 Create Food and Water
Alaric: 2 Create Food and Water
Liothonae: 3 Goodberries
(Koya: 4 Endure Elements. Spivey: 4 Endure Elements.)
With no scouting, that leaves a consumption of +12 (not +16 as I had originally thought; I forgot that two scouts are already on Security duty. Could that be made more clear on the Caravan sheet, by the way? I had to deduce it working backwards from the Security bonus. No big deal, but it'd be nice if it were indicated who's doing what.)
So, some suggestions for getting it down 12+ more could be:
1) Four more Create Food and Waters (2 each from Hrunndalf and Alaric)
2) One Grove of Respite (from Liothonae), two more Create Food and Waters (one each from Hrunndalf and Alaric)
3) One Grove of Respite (from Liothonae), one more Create Food and Water (from Hrunndalf or Alaric), 1 Scout on Food gathering duty (using one of Suishen's spells)
4) One Grove of Respite, 2 Scouts on Food Gathering duty (using two of Suishen's spells)
5) Two more Create Food and Water, 3 Scouts on Food Gathering duty (using all three of Suishen's spells, or two of Suishen's and two more from PCs)
The more food-creating spells that are used, the more scouts can be put on Security detail. So, for example, options (1) and (2) would allow you to increase Security by 6 at the cost of those spell slots being taken up for the forseeable future. Option (5) would still allow you to increase Security by 3.
2 and 3 are probably my favorite options, but any one of the five is fine. 1 just means no 3rd level spell, which in practice probably means Dispel Magic.
I will note that both 2 and 3 overcompensate a little (option 2 brings you to -2 Consumption, and option 3 brings you to -1 consumption), so in those cases Liothonae could stop dedicating a Goodberry or two in exchange for burning one of her fourth level spell slots.
I like the idea of switching most of the scouts over to security detail... Esp given the DCs that we just saw of said security checks. So I would lean toward 2 probably or 3...
Suishen is also using 2 daylights while the caravan is moving, both for the sunlight no-craziness and so that we can see where we are going. Right now, I'm holding one back so that if we get jumped while we are stopped Suishin can throw that up and it won't take a combat action from anyone for a lighted battlefield.
I also like 2 and 3. Personally, I'm not sure any of the scouts are eager to go out in this weather, and would be fine sticking around the caravan. I know Kalimac would be.
I would think that Kalimac would replace one of the drivers, though, since he has by far the best Handle Animal skill of the group. But mechanically it wouldn't make a difference.
I have a question about the use of one of Kalimac's abilities, given the nature of PBP.
Strategy (Ex)
At 8th level, the cavalier can spend a standard action to grant one of a number of bonuses to all allies within 30 feet (including himself ). The allies must be able to see or hear the cavalier to receive this bonus. The cavalier can grant a +2 dodge bonus to AC for 1 round, a +2 morale bonus on all attack rolls for 1 round, or the ability to move up to their speed as an immediate action once. The cavalier can grant a different bonus to each ally within range, but allies can only benefit from this ability once per combat.
It sounds like I can take a standard action, and give myself a +2 to attack, Melinda +2 to AC, and Rhost the extra move thing. Now, in a table-top setting I can see a quick discussion happening to find out what works best for everyone. But in PBP, especially with Fog of War, I'm not sure how this would work.
The way I see it, either I have to give a blanket "everyone gets AC +2"; or I just make my best guess and assign my bonuses as I see fit; or perhaps I just make it know that I used the Strategy ability and then let everyone affected pick what works.
Of course, there's also the possibility that I'm reading this wrong and making some unsupported assumptions here.
I think you have read how it works correctly.
I would request as GM, simply assign bonuses as you see fit, don't consult. It's your power, they can take what you give them and like it.
You're welcome to have an IC strategy discussion of what might be useful for various folks as you travel, but during combat isn't the place for that in this game, I would say. When in battle, Just Do.
(I will note that the morale bonus to attack will stack with bardic music but not with bless; the dodge bonus to AC will stack with everything, including other dodge bonuses. An immediate action can be taken "out of turn", i.e., not on your normal initiative.)
I think you have read how it works correctly.
I would request as GM, simply assign bonuses as you see fit, don't consult. It's your power, they can take what you give them and like it.
You're welcome to have an IC strategy discussion of what might be useful for various folks as you travel, but during combat isn't the place for that in this game, I would say. When in battle, Just Do.
(I will note that the morale bonus to attack will stack with bardic music but not with bless; the dodge bonus to AC will stack with everything, including other dodge bonuses. An immediate action can be taken "out of turn", i.e., not on your normal initiative.)
OK, that makes sense.
I think from a common sense point of view, not leaving the caravan under such brutal conditions is a Good Idea, and therefore the no-hunting solutions look tempting. And seeing how annoying it is to fail a Security check, it seems a good idea to max that bonus in any case.
I can still use a 4th-level spellslot to cast Magic Circle if I'm out of 3rd-level ones, right?
The Strategy ability sounds very nice. Note that in particular Rhost and Hrunndalf can profit from the immediate move to close with enemies and full-attack in the same round. Likewise, the archers could use that movement to get behind the defensive lines before loosing full volleys.
But in order to decide how to use that free movement, we'd need to know we're getting it... or then trust in the DM to use it to best effect (possibly turning single attack declarations into full attacks).
I can still use a 4th-level spellslot to cast Magic Circle if I'm out of 3rd-level ones, right?
Yes. "A spellcaster always has the option to fill a higher-level spell slot with a lower-level spell."
Does the fatigue for the damaged caravan "stack" somehow with the altitude sickness fatigue?
This is merely a point of curiosity, as I am suggesting we stop for a day to repair the 6 HP in order to avoid the week's worth of half-movement.
Unless someone can offer a good reason not to.
Your fatigue and the Caravan's fatigue are separate and not mechanically related.
If the Caravan becomes fatigued twice, then, just like characters, it becomes exhausted.
However, the Caravan's "altitude sickness" does not confer the fatigued condition on it.
The Caravan penalties from being fatigued (the minus 2's) do stack with the similar Caravan penalties for high altitude.
This is merely a point of curiosity, as I am suggesting we stop for a day to repair the 6 HP in order to avoid the week's worth of half-movement.
Agreed.
I would rather stop whenever we have to in order to make repairs rather than waiting for things to fully break. We knew getting to the North Pole was going to be a tough slog. This is just the price of doing business up here.
It currently sounds like the party is leaning a bit towards option (2). But I will wait until everyone has had a chance to weigh in before calling that the definite answer.
In terms of Spell Slots allocated, I believe option (2) would be:
Hrunndalf: 1 Endure Elements, 3 Create Food and Water
Alaric: 3 Create Food and Water
Liothonae: 1 Grove of Respite, 1 Goodberry
(Koya: 4 Endure Elements. Spivey: 4 Endure Elements.)
All scouts moved to Security detail.
Yes, I think option 2.
I also like 2 and 3. Personally, I'm not sure any of the scouts are eager to go out in this weather, and would be fine sticking around the caravan. I know Kalimac would be.
I would think that Kalimac would replace one of the drivers, though, since he has by far the best Handle Animal skill of the group. But mechanically it wouldn't make a difference.
Actually...
If Kalimac replaces Kelda has a driver (since I think Kelda can act as a scout, we would reduce consumption by 1, since the cavalier halfling has a ring of sustenance. (And if Kelda acts as a scout then she no longer adds 1 to consumption.)
(I know Uksahkka could also scout but that would cost us a raise in her wages AND she doesn't have boots of winterlands.)
Which means.... If Kalimac is switched to driver and Kelda to scout, Lio would only need to cast the grove of respite. (No goodberry spells)
The caravan would have zero consumption and we would have a base security roll of 20.
There is one ability on base kitty that I've seen argued both ways on the boards and I honestly don't know which on is more supported RAW.
There is a line in the familiar shtick that for all effects dependent on HD the familiar has the same HD as his master.
Kitty has a lay on hands ability that is based on it's HD. (Base kitty has 2 HD and the ability is as paladin of level 2.)
Now I've seen this argued as kitty should have lay on hands as paladin of level (master HD) ~ is this true?
No rush on figuring it out, but I wanted to ask well before leveling.
i like 2.
Although Myriana has yet to weigh in, I now feel it's likely enough to be option (2) to at least use those numbers in the Ice Hunters encounter.
However, I get 18 as the base Security (the current 12 plus 6 more from scouts, no?)
And Kelda can indeed serve as a Scout, if Kalimac wishes to switch roles.
Although Myriana has yet to weigh in, I now feel it's likely enough to be option (2) to at least use those numbers in the Ice Hunters encounter.
However, I get 18 as the base Security (the current 12 plus 6 more from scouts, no?)
Security:
5 mobility + 8 scouts + 1 guide + 2 prisoner wagon + 4 heroes = 20I think the new wagon was left out of your calculation.
You are correct. Forgot the new wagon.
However... When I upgraded the formulas in the 7th-level caravan... I somehow lost the -2 consumption from Efficient Consumption.
With the spell layout that Kyrademon suggested:
Hrunndalf: 3 CF&D, 1 Endure Elements (-9 consumption)
Alaric: 3 CF&D (-9 consumption)
Lio: 1 grove of respite, 1 goodberry (-9 consumption)
Spivey/Koya: 4 Endure Elements each
We have a magical -27 consumption.
We have 25 travelers: 8 scouts and 2 rings of sustenance and Spivey = +14 consumption
Our wagons have +15 consumption
We have a cook which is -2 consumption
AND we have efficient consumption for another -2 consumption
Which means we have a -2 consumption... Or -3 consumption (if Kalimac chooses to drive).... Which would let Alaric/Hrunndalf have one CF&D spell slot back.
Unless we are stopped for repairs... then we need that extra 3 consumption.
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All characters (and the Caravan fund) receive 300 gp in the form of fur pelts, gold and silver nuggets, crude bracelets, scrimshaw, or polished semiprecious stones.
Then I suggest Alaric reduce his load by one CF&D, given that he relies more on spellcasting than Hrunndalf does. He'd have to sacrifice that slot only while we're making repairs.
Ouch. Trolls. Good thing we know how to make Security checks these days!
One question: Shouldn't our wagons already be circled if we've made camp? Or are they upon us the instant we slow down?
Anyway. Grease monkey time. :P
"Circling the Wagons" is a standard action made during combat. It is never automatically active when you are camped.
Think of it as being a maneuver made based on where your foes are.
I think the only real remaining open question with regards to the Caravan is whether Kalimac wishes to switch to a Driver position. The rest seems pretty well taken care of, since Hrunndalf has volunteered to keep casting the "odd" CF&W.
Incidentally, I would say that taking the Scavengers feat just paid off big time.
So, as things are looking, I don't think you will have quite reached the Storm Tower when I head out for the weekend. That actually works out reasonably well; as you have probably guessed, the Storm Tower itself will likely involve some combat, and combat has gotten more complicated than when you were back in the Churlwood fighting Ogrekin at 2nd level. So doing combat updates while on vacation is trickier for me.
So I will keep things going as normal for now, and for the couple of days I am away I will probably simply let any current and flextime conversations continue to play out, responding when I can (most likely a once-a-day set of updates.) When I get back we will proceed on to the Storm Tower, although depending on where we leave off that could be anywhere from still a significant bit of travel away at that point, to a One Day Trip to finish getting there.
I think the only real remaining open question with regards to the Caravan is whether Kalimac wishes to switch to a Driver position. The rest seems pretty well taken care of, since Hrunndalf has volunteered to keep casting the "odd" CF&W.
Kalimac will indeed wish to swap places with Kelda and do that driving thang. It makes the most sense for him to be doing that, what with his Ring of Sustenance and skills.
Incidentally, I would say that taking the Scavengers feat just paid off big time.
[Teal'c]Indeed.[/Teal'c]
Then I suggest Alaric reduce his load by one CF&D, given that he relies more on spellcasting than Hrunndalf does. He'd have to sacrifice that slot only while we're making repairs.
Cool, done.
After much debate over which 1st level spell I was willing to lose to gain feather fall... Mel is leveled.
And HERE is the Level 8 caravan all healed post ice troll and post scavenging supplies (so a net -1 repair materials).
Looks like you need to select another language for Xanderghul, other than that Melinda is APPROVED.
(I haven't forgotten your question, I'll get back to you on it soon.)
And HERE is the Level 8 caravan all healed post ice troll and post scavenging supplies (so a net -1 repair materials).
The alias is likewise updated to match Mel's work.
Bad Mel...
Kalimac, would you mind tossing the repair mode notes in their own spoiler so it is easier for Kyrademon to find.
And our security decreases by 1 and morale increases by 1 (for +19 security, +17 morale) when we are in a repair mode. (I noticed that line hadn't printed into the pdf after I uploaded it.)
And thank you for maintaining the more easily read version :)
- Picnic equipment: Some durable good-quality alcohol, preferably in 3 different forms (brennivín, sake, kumis?) to keep it interesting. Some durable good-quality foodstuffs to go with it (like the dried hare meat, or cheese — though Ameiko might not eat cheese, I'd probably know).
- For Koya: A small hardened metal chisel (wouldn't mind mithral or adamantine) and maybe something like a polished basalt stone to use as a hammer, for leaving foundmarks.
- For Shalelu: Hmmm... I'm thinking of a bonsai tree to commemorate her cute treant story. Now, such a thing will certainly not be available in Iqaliat. A seed or sapling from a suitable tree might be available though, as well as someone who knows enough about bonsais to write down some instructions for me. Maybe even Ameiko possesses that particular piece of lore?
However, if you do change your mind, let me know. :)