Welcome to the Jade Regent OOC and Discussion thread!
To recap, this Jade Regent adventure path will follow the adventures of:
Anen Elaradre, Half-Elf Bard;
Kili Klippenshell, Gnome Oracle;
Ceru, Gnome Rogue;
Jasper Lind, Varisian Monk;
Parsifal Foghain, Half-Elf Paladin;
Thaddeus Pruitt, Human Magus.
I have a couple of PbP-habits that you should be aware of. Feel free to contest them or ask questions if necessary:
First of all, in regards of skill checks, if you wish to use a skill, declare that you are using it, and do the necessary roll. As an example, if you decide to go carefully through the jungle, simply roll the perception check, instead of asking if you need to roll one. I will roll secret checks when necessary, and ask you if you have to do a roll, but help me save time by declaring and rolling as necessary.
Secondly, I ask that you follow this thread as much as the other one. This thread is named the OOC thread for a reason - please refrain from OOC-only posts in the IC thread.
Thirdly, whenever combat occurs, I will roll your initiatives, calculate the average of your values, and compare it to the enemies' initiative. Because PbP combat easily gets confusing, there won't be individual turns. Instead, you act on a group initiative, and when you post, you act (with "I wait for X to do his/her move before I do Y" if necessary for your actions to make sense). When all five of you have done your actions, the enemy acts as a group, round over, new round. Does this make sense?
In regards of skill checks and take 10s: the rules specify that the only skill you cannot Take 10 with is Use Magic Device. I, however, feel that this can break immersion in regards of Knowledge skills (since the DC is 10 for a large quantity of information - such as being able to identify every stone, mineral or metal; or identify every single dangerous construction; or identify somebody's ethnicity or accent; or know historically significant events...which means everybody with a 10 in int knows all of that...) and as such, you also cannot take 10 on Knowledge skills unless you have a rank in the knowledge skill.
Take 20 rules apply as usual.
For levelling, we will be utilising the The Step System.
Lastly, I may add other rules for how I wish you do certain things in regards of skill checks and the like. This will not be sprung on you without warning, however. Your opinions do matter to me, and I am here to make this an enjoyable experience.
The adventure will start on Monday, so let us spend the weekend to discuss the path ahead of us.
Jasper bows
Greetings fellow travelers. Thank you for having me here.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to adjust fire and join the game. My profile is almost finished with the change. Just spells and class features left to switch over, all my numbers are done.
EDIT: Have a rules question about my Noble Scion of Lore feat. Do I get a total +3 to Knowledge Nobility, or +2? The SRD doesn't label the bonuses, so are they two feat bonuses, and not stack, or is one unnamed or special?
Welcome.
Admittedly, I can't find anywhere mentioning feat bonuses do not stack in the first place - skill focus doesn't attach a type to its bonus, for instance, nor do twofer skills like Deceitful or Acrobatics. I may simply be poor at searching in this case - but unless I see a ruling saying that bonuses received from feats are, in fact, "feat bonuses", I would say they're untyped and therefore stack.
Having said that, one of my older character generation programs did stack the bonuses from skill focus and Deceitful (for 14 bluff at level 1, hurr hurr), and it did stay relatively consistent throughout the time I used it.
Thanks for having me (again), Patcher. Looking forward to it.
Always wanted to RP an Impulsive Paladin. Wheee! ;)
Profile finished
I found this feat (Iomedaean sword oath) while changing over and it is perfect for my new build. I guess it was great for my old one, I just missed it.
Also, planning on going Bladebound Magus if that's alright?
Bladebound is fine with me - I will warn you of its drawbacks, though. You get a lower arcane pool - and you cannot take the Extra Arcana feat until 6th level, per the RAW rules. I may houserule that away.
Though keep in mind, everything from Core, APG, UC, UM and ISWG is automatically allowed. This includes archetypes (including those from UC). I just ask that you give me a heads-up.
The Iomedaean Sword Oath feat looks fine with me.
I'm not Patcher, but I think that a "White Blade" merely flavored differently from the Black Blade would be awesome for a magus who venerates Iomedae.
Also, I'll have plenty of time this weekend to get my character sheet in line, so no worries there.
Looking forward to the journey! I love new AP's.
*whistles* That is a very restrictive feat. Other than Weapon Specialization what does it give you access to?
Re-reading it, I should point out that Magi do get the Fighter Training class ability that essentially give you the advantage of the feat for free - 5 levels later, admittedly, but still.
Yeah, looking through the feats, I guess it only applies to one. They make it sound as if there's a whole chunk of Long sword fighter feats. Since I wouldn't meet the reqs until 6th, my next feat would be at 7th, and I would have to wait until 9 to take specialization. So, I would only be 1 level away from the class feature by the time I got it. It was great flavor, but it doesn't do anything for me.
I do think a white blade would be more representative of Thaddeus' ideals. I hadn't read much into it beyond it basically being a sword familiar. I have always loved familiars, even in 1 and 2E, where they were much more dangerous to have.
Thanks for inviting me, I very much look forward to this.
I AM going to change Ceru's feat to Weapon Finesse -- beyond the obvious practical reasons, I realized Breadth of Experience requires the character to be 100+ years old, which is middle aged for a gnome, and she is a youthful 50-something. While I still love the idea of Ceru being a dabbler in different professions and areas of education, I can still RP that without the feat (also keeps me from stepping on the bard's toes).
Note: I'm going away to a retreat tomorrow through Sunday evening, so I will not be chiming in often (but I should be able to check in on my phone if anything comes up in the pregame discussion). I will be back and ready to go Monday when the game starts full on.
You're welcome, Ceru.
I'll start working on the introduction today (but we won't start until Monday).
After some clarification on how the bonus feats work, is there any chance I can trade Panther Style for Elemental Fist?
After some clarification on how the bonus feats work, is there any chance I can trade Panther Style for Elemental Fist?
Context, please. Is there anything about your archetype or bonus feats that suggests you can't swap around?
The description of bonus feats wasn't clear to me before, I didn't realize I could take Elemental Fist at first level. Reading it again it looks like I can take Elemental Fist at first level and need it to qualify for the Shaitan Style feat chain, which is why I would like to swap it. It looks like it's definitely allowed in the rules for me to take it, but I didn't want to do so without clearing it with you first.
You're a Master of Many Styles, right?
It's rather weird. Here's the first part of the Bonus Feat section for Master of Many Styles.
Bonus Feat: At 1st level, 2nd level, and every four levels thereafter, a master of many styles may select a bonus style feat or the Elemental Fist feat (Advanced Player’s Guide 158). He does not have to meet the prerequisites of that feat, except the Elemental Fist feat.
This section explicitly says you don't need to meet the prerequisites for any Style bonus feats - only for the Elemental Fist bonus feat.
Here is the Elemental Fist feat.
The +8 BAB requirement for Elemental Fist unfortunately means you cannot take it. However, because of your archetype, you don't need Elemental Fist take the Shaitan Style feats, because of this clause:"He does not have to meet the prerequisites of that feat".
So you can't change Panther style for Elemental Fist. You can change it for Shaitan Style, though.
That's my interpretation.
The first level of Shaitan Style grants an extra use of Elemental Fist and allows you to do acid damage even if you miss. That's the only reason I can think you would be able to take Elemental Fist and you can't ignore the prerequisite for Shaitan Style, or any of the Genie Styles.
I double-checked the Genie Styles - They are really, really weird. The entire Shaitan Style focuses on Elemental Fist in the first place. Without Elemental Fist, Shaitan Style does nothing for you.
I don't know what they were thinking with this. Shaitan Style looks to be really, really powerful at low levels, though. The fact that you deal damage even on a miss - and that's damage modified by your Wis for damage - with a sufficiently high Wisdom score, goblins would die the instant you made an attack roll.
I don't know what to think. On one hand, the Genie style feats are full of flavour - and you are aspiring to be a master of "Many Styles", after all. On the other hand, balance-wise, it also comes off as very strong at first level...
They are powerful, now that I read through them (I'd only read through the synopsis in the table before). I will defer to your judgement on the matter without complaint. In favor of me taking them I should point out that I've lost access to Flurry of Blows, and that I can only use Elemental Fist once per level per day.
Because of that limitiation - the level/day for Elemental Fist and loss of Flurry - I think it's balanced enough. Go ahead and go for it.
Gracias sir, profile updated.
Big day tomorrow, adventure will start and everything.
Could you recap quickly for me: where does your character live / stay in Sandpoint, and what is your character's relationship/standing with the 3 other NPCs?
Jasper would live in the same home as Sandru, probably in a small guest house if such a thing is possible. If there is a small cell at the local temple he could stay there instead, not sure how Sandpoint is setup.
Sandru is Jasper's big brother, he looks up to him and follows his lead in the social situations where Jasper lacks ability. Sometimes Sandru's outgoing nature causes Jasper to withdraw, in an effort to avoid being the center of attention.
Shalelu has trained Jasper to survive in the wild and fight. Although he has learned his own method of combat he respects her abilities. He is sad for her, living as a functional immortal amongst such short lived races.
He would find Koya's wisdom to be worth listening to, but is too young to hold her in awe, believing he can find his own path. Overall I do not think Jasper would interact with her much, keeping his distance out of respect for her age and wisdom.
Ameiko he finds attractive, but he attempts to submerge these feelings through his training. If anything other than friendship were to develop he would avoid acknowledging it.
And what does Jasper think of Koya and Ameiko?
I want to know your characters opinions on all 4 NPCs.
Thaddeus lives in his parent's manor, not far from the church.
His thoughts on the four NPC's are as follows:
Ameiko: She is nice and appears responsible, with managing her own inn and all. She is friends with Shalelu, so he spends a fair amount of his time away from work and training at the Rusty Dragon. He enjoys her tales of adventure and excitement, but he would prefer that she not make all her dishes so spicy. There is just something to be said for a soothing, mellow-flavored meal.
Koya: He respects Koya, as both an elder and a priestess. She has age and wisdom on her side, and one can learn many things from someone like her. She may be the follower of a different diety, but the gods do not act and exist alone. As long as she follows one of the gods of good, she is acting for the good of humanity. Beyond this he doesn't interact with her often.
Sandru: He doesn't like Sandru, not that he dislikes him, just does not like him. He finds that his acceptance of his older brother's shenanigans, as well as his frivolous demeanor, makes him appear to be an irresponsible vagabond. He is not concerned with how Sandru is connected to Ameiko, but he thinks if she spends too much time with him, he may be a bad influence on her.
Shalelu: He has a secret crush on her, and to him she is a beautiful mystery. He is too nervous to approach her, or initiate much in the way of conversation with her. He is sadly semi-content with seeing her whenever she happens upon one of the patrols he's on, or when she stays at the Rusty Dragon. Despite there being nothing between them, he will quickly leap in the defense of her or her honor.
Big day tomorrow, adventure will start and everything.
Could you recap quickly for me: where does your character live / stay in Sandpoint, and what is your character's relationship/standing with the 3 other NPCs?
Assuming this question is for everyone:
Parsifal's been living in the barracks as he was/is a part of the militia since being recruited back during the "goblin troubles" of Runlelords. However, since he's done almost nothing useful (other than "parading around", in his terms) since showing up (which is one of the reasons he's willing to leave -- He figures the call that brought him here must have been for *something*).
In terms of my opinions of the NPCs, well, as per my trait, based on Shalelu's role in the whole goblin thing, when Parsifal thought he wa called to do that, he's pretty impressed -- add in additional contact based on her association with the Sheriff, and well, Hero Worship and a bit of a crush.
Parsifal, from time spent at the Dragon, thinks Ameiko is a beautiful and lovely person, but he also thinks that she's very strong as a result of her dealing with the issues with her family and becoming one of the "nobles" of Sandpoint (despite the mayor). The fact that she's done so without losing herself and has ruffled a few feathers along the way only makes him more impressed (as he's not got a terribly wondeful view of the ruling families based on what happened to his mother -- and what she told him about it).
As someone who is clearly responding to the call of her goddess, Parsifal will greatly respect Koya and her desire to travel. As someone who is impulsive, but intelligent enough to know it, he puts much stock in her wisdom (though he may ignore it anyway, as he's impulsive). However, as time goes by, assuming she gives good advice and is somewhat motherly, this will probably strike a deep chord with Parisfal, considering his lack of a mother figure.
Parsifal is somewhat wary of Sandru, based on his position as one of the "nobles" of Sandpoint (based on his mother's troubles). Having said that, despite his nervousness, he does respects the man -- though this is due primarily to his successful caravanning (important to a paldin of the Lord of Trade), but even more importantly, because Ameiko seems to hold him in high regard.
Big day tomorrow, adventure will start and everything.
Could you recap quickly for me: where does your character live / stay in Sandpoint, and what is your character's relationship/standing with the 3 other NPCs?
Ceru probably rents a room somewhere not far from the Rusty Dragon.
Koya: Ceru is drawn to the Desnan faith, being so curious and drawn to exploration herself, and she both respects Koya's knowledge and her particular brand of "ministry." She's also fascinated by the fortune telling.
Sandru: Ceru is fond of him, as she is of that whole group in general. She respects his business savvy and his charm, but doesn't feel as close to him as to more creative souls like Ameiko or Koya. She has probably badgered him as to why he and Ameiko abandoned the adventuring life, with as little success to an answer as she had with Ameiko.
Shalelu: Ceru appreciates and respects what Shalelu has done for the town, but finds her aloofness off putting, and hasn't tried to get to know her better (possibly after a failed attempt or two).
Anen lives with her parents, in a lovely manse by the shore. Her life is relatively strife-free, and the insulation she's experienced thanks to her father's relative wealth has made her all the more curious about the world beyond Sandpoint.
As for relationships with the NPCs:
Ameiko is a very close friend to Anen, someone she would take an arrow for should the situation require it. Although she would be unlikely to publicly admit it, the reason Anen has scorned the frequent suitors that have sought her attention actually comes down to Ameiko. She has feelings for this exotic woman that she cannot precisely sum up or even comprehend. She does value Ameiko's friendship above all else, though, and will do nothing to jeopardize that.
Koya: While Anen feels badly for Koya as regards the passing of her mother, Koya otherwise is an unknown to Anen. Anen is aware that Koya is adoptive mother to Sandru, but beyond that has not had much interaction with the older woman directly, and as such has no concrete opinion of her.
Sandru: Ah, Sandru. Anen doesn't care for Sandru at all. She resents the relationship that he has with Ameiko, and sees him (rightly or wrongly) as a rival for her attention. She sees in him many of the qualities she finds the least desireable in men: arrogance, superiority, cockiness. (Whether she is right or wrong to perceive him this way is immaterial, she does nonetheless).
Shalelu: Anen admires Shalelu as a longtime defender of Sandpoint, having been told that the woman is a sort of guardian angel by her father. Anen wistfully dreams of disappearing and seeing the world as she suspects Shalelu is doing when she's gone, and hopes to one day find time to speak with the enigmatic elf.
I decided that you were all grouped together at the Rusty Dragon for whatever reason - you all should know one another, if only somewhat.
I ask that you refrain from OOC-only posts in the thread - this topic is for those.
I apologise for my delay. Unexpected circumstances occurred.
Let us create an epic.
Kili has only recently arrived in Sandpoint and is staying at the Rusty Dragon Inn. She knows Shalelu well having been saved from certain death by her and seeing her several more times over the years. She does not know the other NPCs and has not yet even met Ameiko at the Rusty Dragon.
I expect that she will be fascinated by Ameiko and very interested in learning more about her. She hasn't met a Tian before and would love to learn samisen. Dodging questions about her past will only make Kili want to learn more and make her intensely curious.
Kili has a healthy respect for Desna, but the think that will probably cause her the most interest in Koya is the tales she'll be able to tell about Niska and her journeys.
There's not much about Sandru to attract her attention initially, but if he proves to be a way to learn more about Ameiko, she'll be all over that.
If you'd like her to know all four, its not a problem. She easily could have met most of them on trips through Varisia and those opinions could have already started to form.
Thank you, and welcome Kili. I do expect active participation from all of you - the 1/day posting requirement is in full effect, and I ask that you inform me if you are unable to follow.
Also, I shouldn't have to say this, but please read the posts properly before you reply.
I apologise for my slow replies - the introductory stage of any PbPs, I find, rely heavily on character interaction. Whenever Ameiko, Sandru, Koya or Shalelu are present, I will try to post as actively as I can - as I would if I were a player.
Do you want me to make separate profiles for the NPCs, so you can more easily keep track on who says what, or is it fine with a general DM profile?
Also, while you won't be staying too long in Sandpoint, here is a guide to Sandpoint. I believe it is relatively spoiler-free.
I must admit I was a little hasty in my introduction of the campaign - and I could have done a better effort to determine how and why you all know each other, instead of simply saying "you know each other." Please bear with me. Take this time to develop a repertoire with one another, in the very least. You don't have to be best friends, but first-name (or formal last-name) basis would be preferable.
I apologise for my slow replies - the introductory stage of any PbPs, I find, rely heavily on character interaction. Whenever Ameiko, Sandru, Koya or Shalelu are present, I will try to post as actively as I can - as I would if I were a player.
Do you want me to make separate profiles for the NPCs, so you can more easily keep track on who says what, or is it fine with a general DM profile?
Also, while you won't be staying too long in Sandpoint, here is a guide to Sandpoint. I believe it is relatively spoiler-free.
I must admit I was a little hasty in my introduction of the campaign - and I could have done a better effort to determine how and why you all know each other, instead of simply saying "you know each other." Please bear with me. Take this time to develop a repertoire with one another, in the very least. You don't have to be best friends, but first-name (or formal last-name) basis would be preferable.
It's fine with me if you post all the NPCs under your GM banner, but if you're posting dialogue from multiple people in one post, please be very clear as to who is speaking. Maybe put headers and then what each NPC is doing/saying, like...
Sandru bites into the apple.
...
As for us knowing each other, I was assuming the Rusty Dragon scene in the recruiting thread was "canon" and we have at least been introduced to each other through that if not by other means (and of course folks with ties to the same NPC should know each other, etc.). Is that okay?
Noted. I'll try to mark clearly who's speaking when it's an NPC.
I always treat the recruitment topics as non-canon, really - but in this case, I think treating it as canon (or semi-canon) could work just fine.
I agree on the NPC posts, as long as it's clear who is speaking I am fine with one profile, multiples seem to clutter the thread.
I was going on the bar scene in the recruiting thread as taking place on a previous night, with some of us gathering back at the Rusty Dragon.
I agree that the recruitment thread let us get a jump start on the introduction aspect of a beginning campaign. I know Parsifal and Jasper from working in the militia with them. Ceru as the gambler, and Anen from her performances. It did make it much easier to initiate discussions now that we've started, and set the basis for our connections.
I see no need for multiple profiles either, as others said, as long as it's clear who's saying what. It might be worth, if you're posting completely *as* one of them just putting a heading at the top of the post -- which I see someone else has already suggested. No new ideas here, I guess.
And yes, I agree -- between the semi-cannon recruitment thread, and the fact that three of us are militia, I think we're pretty good in terms of introduction.. Parsifal would know Ceru and Anen from spending time at the Dragon, as well, so I think it's all golden. In fact, he's just foolish enough to play cards with Ceru weekly. :)
Quick reminder, unless it was an intentional misunderstanding of my powers, I am no longer a cleric. I am a Magus who acts like a paladin in a sense. In fact all the spells in my spellbook are written as prayers/hymns to Iomedae, instead of mysterious arcane sigils. Kind of the idea, that Thaddeus doesn't realize that his arcana is not powered by divine will.
Also, please keep in mind that Untrained Knowledge checks can never exceed DC 10.
At least some of you'd also know Ceru sometimes pitches in as cook at the Rusty Dragon on the rare occasion when Bethana is otherwise occupied (hence the recipe cards). (As long as that's okay with the GM--Ceru's supposed to be one of Ameiko's best friends, so she probably helps out.)
I have to say--everyone ELSE decided Ceru's a fabulous winner at cards, which amuses me (she does have that Eternal Hope reroll ability...). I just set her up to be fascinated with playing them. :) It's always interesting to see what gets shaped out of roleplaying.
ETA: Also--Ceru is from Whistledown, originally (though she left many years ago)--would she have known Kili as one of the town priests?
Also, please keep in mind that Untrained Knowledge checks can never exceed DC 10.
Unless you have access to a library that would have material on the subject, then it takes 1d4 hours, and can exceed 10. Just a tidbit I learned in another game, where I thought I would be useless for research.
Ah, I forgot. Yes, research is the exception - but you're not wont to do library research, are you? Of course, you can...
Ceru, I am fine with you having a background of helping Bethana and Ameiko in the kitchen, no worries.
I wish I could squeeze more skill points out of my monk levels, there are so many useful skills. I didn't think I'd get more than general knowledge out of my attempts, but with no take 10s on untrained knowledge rolls I wasn't sure if you wanted to roll those for us or have us roll them on any general DC 10 knowledge checks.
As I mentioned in my intro post, I prefer that you declare and do the roll yourself. And yes, the lack of skill points can be a right pain in the... at low levels. But to quote Ciretose: you're first level. You can't do everything ... yet.
Quick reminder, unless it was an intentional misunderstanding of my powers, I am no longer a cleric. I am a Magus who acts like a paladin in a sense. In fact all the spells in my spellbook are written as prayers/hymns to Iomedae, instead of mysterious arcane sigils. Kind of the idea, that Thaddeus doesn't realize that his arcana is not powered by divine will.
It was an accident in the forgetting of the reflavour -- and then an attempt to make the IC thing work out. :) We can hand-wave it all away if you'd prefer and pretend that Parsifal would remember silly little details about the people he works with, like what they can do. :)
No, it worked out IC pretty well, and added a little more insight to my character than I hadn't thought of yet.
I'm good with you posting them all from the DM Patcher alias too. In most dialog its not hard to follow who is speaking. Just in more complex cutscenes like the one at the start.
As I mentioned in my intro post, I prefer that you declare and do the roll yourself. And yes, the lack of skill points can be a right pain in the... at low levels. But to quote Ciretose: you're first level. You can't do everything ... yet.
And since we're rolling ahead of time without asking first (and thus without knowing the DC of the check :) ) ... there is a chance I *might* post an untrained knowledge check if I think a DC 10 result might net something. If the DC is higher, then I'm fine with the roll not producing anything (even if I roll high).
Generally speaking, with EVERY character I play, be it a high Int skill monkey or wizard or a low int 2 skill per level class, I ALWAYS want more skill points. But I know generally I have to make do with what I've got. :) At least with Pathfinder the favored class skill point adds an option.
You should be aware that I rarely inform my players of what DC they have to beat. Simply preference from my side.