This is where we can have normal conversations
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:04, Tue 09 May 2023.

Hello all, I'll be your Ratfolk Arcanist for this adventure!

Hello! Human cleric of Milani here.

Uh-oh. So much for not getting in trouble with the Hellknights! XD

Hello everyone! I'll be playing an Android Magus; this might end up being a very quirky character (I'm still discussing details with the GM), so I'm really looking forward to see how it will work out.

Just from the race/class combos alone this is looking like it'll be an interesting team; hopefully we'll mesh well together! ^_^
This message was last edited by the player at 18:03, Tue 09 May 2023.

And Monkey Goblin Unchained Rogue (counterfeit Mage) here. Guess me and the magus are frontliners.

I would think so. And I'm already feeling happier about my decision to go for a Strength build with my character - it will help make sure we don't step on each other's toes, since I doubt I could compete with a Monkey Goblin in the niche of "Dexterity fighter". ;)

I do wonder if this will leave me or Nethi as the one best suited to draw enemy fire - I think Milani as a goddess has something of a defense focus, right?

She can grant the protection domain, but I was planning on healing and liberation.

I see! That makes a lot of sense, considering the whole Hellknights situation.

I'm going to have some self-healing options, myself, so it seems like there should be some good synergy there, even if my primary focus with my magic will need to be on offense and mobility, obviously.

Not that we should have much to worry about on the magical resources front; Cleric + Arcanist should cover pretty much every possible magical need of the party extremely easily.

I plan to make Heal my first Signature skill.

Hello, everyone.  I'll be your fire support.

In reply to Greb (msg # 10):

Same. I plan on taking Healer's Hands as one of my two feats to start with, so I'll be leaning on the heal skill and my channels to back up magic healing. The medicine subdomain would be better than the base healing domain, but Milani doesn't grant it, and it usually costs a trait to take anyway.

That's a lot of healing!

And one left...

So far

Android Female Magus (Hex Crafter)
Android Male Gunslinger
Human Female Cleric of Milani
Monkey Goblin Rogue (Counterfeit Mage)
Ratfolk Arcanist

I'm the only human? Muaha! Gaze upon my two feats and weep!

_{Is it dark in here, I can't see? Help? Somebody?}

=P

In other news, I don't have edit privileges on my character sheet yet.

Fixed

Oh, so there's two Androids? That's interesting; Magus and Gunslinger have a very different playstyle, so I don't imagine there'll be much overlap, but I'm curious to see how that plays out.

And yeah, as Nethi says, this is a very weird team we're putting together... although I've seen weirder, so I'm confident we'll make it work. :)

Last player in


The party at this point

Android Female Magus (Hex Crafter)
Android Male Gunslinger
Human Female Cleric of Milani
Monkey Goblin Rogue (Counterfeit Mage)
Ratfolk Arcanist
Dwarf Monk

In reply to Verdra (msg # 17):

I'm leaning toward standing somewhere behind whomever is tanking and near the healer.

Hello everyone, I'll be your dwarven monk.  I guess I'm the nearest thing to a tank.

Then I imagine we will be sharing frontline duties together! Monk and Magus are both less sturdy classes than the traditional melee types, but hopefully magic and mobility will make up the difference there.

Out of curiosity, without spoiling anything that'd be better revealed in game, would any of you say that your origin story is especially weird? Because the team is really varied, but personally, if we ignore I'm an Android, my backstory is very much a traditional fantasy origin; not too cliche, but I'd not qualify it as too strange.

Hessum was born in the five kings mountains by he became a servant by choice. The step from there to monk is much smaller and much easier than the step from mountain to temple.

I'll have to actually sit down and read through the background material before settling on much of anything.    Going Gun Tank, btw.

Born in the Shackles, shipwrecked on the mainland. Captured and put into slavery. Escaped and joined the Sczarni. Now trying to survive and thrive

We're a bit far from Varisia!

Emok is a street rat turned burglar turned prisoner turned slave turned mage's apprentice. Not as exciting as it might sound; being born in the slums, trying to steal from rich people's houses, getting caught, and being sentenced to serve the whims of an aristocrat.

Can I ask what everyone else is taking for campaign traits?   I'm  having trouble picking one, honestly.

Aspiring Crusader for the Knowledge Planes as Class Skill.

I'd really like to avoid picking something that conflicts with someone else's backstory.

They're a good guide for creating a character which fits into the region and adventure. I took/designed my concept around Sage's Apprentice even though I don't need the Arcana bump and can't find a decent Transmutation spell which has a DC. XD

Former slave for flavor. Going all in as a freedom fighter.

Reduce Person, maybe? It'd also make thematic sense for your race, since you're small sized, right?

A lot of former slaves in this team - I do think Emok is correct that we won't be having a good relationship with the Hellknights. As for backstory, I was just found and adopted by the Wolfmane tribe, meaning that I have the Savage trait, although it's not really a big part of my character - it was just the most fitting for her story.

Greg is switching to Campaign trait Darklands Delver. It occurs to me that Healer's Hands only needs Ranks in Know:Planes. The Knowledge as a Class Skill is unnecessary.

In reply to Greb (msg # 32):

I'm leaning in that direction myself, actually.  None of them jump out at me as fitting my initial character concept.

Got an interesting thought on Hellknight Armiger.

It says less 1 ACP on worn armor. Does that mean it applies to Bucklers? They are Worn, not carried.

Are we first or second edition pathfinder? I thought we were second but now not sure.

I'm torn between Golden Attendant, Echo Wood Native and Azlanti Historian. I'll have to change Hessum's background depending... Servant, Bounty Hunter and Archaeologist

Pathfinder 1e

AHH, that makes more sense.

Why would I buff our enemies? You big folk think size is an advantage?! :P

I went with Baleful Polymorph. I'm sure I'll be thanking myself in 10 years when I'm turning dragons into sloths. :D

In reply to Greb (msg # 34):

I think where it becomes disqualified for the ACP reduction is because it falls under The Shield classification and not under The Armor classification

You'll get access to darkwood or mithral shields soon enough, I bet.

I don't see Greb as a Hellknight-in-training. XD

It is for maneuvers, and we have a monk, so it seemed like a good pick to me - but I'll admit it really depends on what sort of approach to combat we decide to take.

Taking it for Baleful Polimorph does seems like you'll need to wait a long while before you can use your bonus, but I suppose I can admire the positive thinking! ^_^

In case you do want to look for options to use your bonus before you reach level 10, here's a handful of other options for offensive transmutations; they might not all be great, but at least it gives you a chance to decide what sort of focus you'd prefer to have, right?

Spell Level 1 - Snapdragon Fireworks, Touch of Gracelessness

Spell Level 2 - Diminish Resistance, Pyrotechnics, Steal Breath

Spell Level 3 - Hostile Levitation, Slow

Spell Level 4 - Calcific Touch, Firefall, Obsidian Flow, Rigor Mortis

As I said, they're not all good (certainly nothing other than Slow and Pyrotechnics is anywhere near as powerful-for-its-level as Baleful Polimorph), but hopefully they might give you ideas? Although I still think that Reduce Person isn't bad, in the right circumstances. :)

You know who's really easy to perform maneuvers against?

Sleeping, stunned, paralyzed, blind people! :D

Haha...and drinks
...don't forget drunks.

A couple notes

I am using regional languages , but I've always given the regional language free.

So whatever region you spent your early years living in...you'll get that regional language and common (Taldan) for free.


In some campaigns I put in a personal thread for each character in the game threads for each character to keep information in or discuss things privately...would you prefer that over pms?

Oh, as an Hexcrafter, I know that very well indeed. Debuffing is fun. :)

In reply to GM Dread (msg # 44):

I tend to use PMs when communicating with the GM.  It's easy for me to find and saves headaches later when you're trying to hammer stuff out.

I'm going to bow out, everyone.   I hope the game goes well.  :D

Aww, sorry to see you go. :(

Good luck with any future endeavors!

I think I'm complete now. We are first level aren't we?

Azlanti scholar by background, which is why I came to Echo Wood in the first place. I met a monk along the way and she became my mentor, which is why I'm a monk.

Hey, Hey, we're the Monkees...... Goblin

But we're too busy singing to put anybody down.

Oh yes I should have mentioned. I'm probably the weakest and least charismatic front liner in history, so I'll be shooting first and asking questions after.

Hah, I probably have you beat in that department. But people expect goblins to be obnoxious twerps, so maybe the title DOES go to you.....

I think my character is ready.

I would be very surprised if I wasn't the one to take the "least charismatic" award in this team. Hard to be charismatic when you don't understand what charisma even is. :)

What are these human emotions you speak about? Are they edible, or otherwise usable in some practical application?

Speaking of speaking, are we going to follow some convention for spoken lines? Most people seem to prefer keeping one color for OOC lines (generally orange) and for each person to have a personal color they use for their dialogue, but I'm open to anything the GM thinks would work best.

Well I'm sorry to see Alphonse Go.

But fortunately we picked up

 Zail Gailen our Aasimar Swashbuckler


As for conventions.

Yes I'd like speech in color. I use ooc with orange. If you want to use that too that will be helpful. If you choose another ...just put it at the end of your post and put ooc in front of it.

I will use different colors for some you talk to depending on how think their  speech should be colored.


I would ask everyone to carefully read all posts before and not skim as some do...especially in combat with how I run games . It will become apparent first combat.

Will do!

So then, if we should all choose speaking colors, I think I'll be taking Seagreen, unless somebody else wants it. What about the rest of the team, what are you all going to take?

Also, are we without a ranged specialist now? It seems like that from the team's distribution.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:29, Thu 11 May 2023.

Welcome Zail!

I feel like Emok is royal red or blue, but I’ll also probably forget and switch colors eventually. With so few colors I’m against calling dibs.

And maybe we can avoid aqua? That one’s hard to read.

Interesting background you wrote up, Nethi. It’s a shame I didn’t go with my Hellknight concept … that’d make things extra interesting. :D

Hello everyone.  Looks like I will be a frontliner. I am at work right now and limited to posting on a tablet, so my posting is before and after work.

I will use blue for posting.

I'll go with "Rose" for my dialogue color, considering Milani's holy symbol.

As for charisma...I have a 12. :/

In reply to Emok (msg # 58):

Thank you! ^_^
Going Hellknight (hiss) would have made things interesting...

Hi Zail, welcome to the game!

And Nethi, from where I sit, 12 Charisma looks positively gargantuan. :D

I imagine that Emok will be the team's face, if we need one. Speaking of which, Emok, if you feel uncertain, then just take Red for your color - it's the first in the list, you won't get confused that way.

Also, the Seagreen color which I picked is very similar to Aqua - can you read it? If not, say so and I'll pick Periwinkle or Lavender instead.

I shall use coral because it matches my beard colour more or less.  And if you have a Charisma of 12, Nethi, you may be the most charismatic.

Oh yes, All Hail Zail and welcome Zail.

Yes, welcome Zail!

How does one make one's images appear to the right?

Remove the *:

<*img src="https://i.ibb.co/VLJkjHZ/ratfolk-wizard-by-maximum993-delhhu5-fullview.jpg" align=Right>

Not with 8 Charisma and no points in social skills, he won't! XD


Red is for villains!

No one is likely to remember each others' colors anyway, so it's really just an affectation to separate speech from action--hopefully in addition to quotation marks. I like it, but the actual color anyone uses doesn't matter to me.


Actually I take it back; Aqua's not as bad as I remember. Lavender's probably worse, almost the same color as my background, and it's still easy enough to read. So never mind me.

...that's surprising; last I checked, Arcanists use CHA as a secondary stat, don't they?

They use Charisma for one class ability ... a uses/day ability with a minimum of 1.  So it's either 14 or nothing there.

They then have some exploits which use Charisma for uses/day ... which are unremarkable ... and some exploits which force a Save with a DC keyed off Charisma.
I'm sure I'll miss the extra offense at early levels, but they're largely avoidable.

So he's more of a very flexible wizard than a sorcerer. Or he will be at level 3 or 5.

Edit: So it's either a secondary stat or a dump stat.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:08, Thu 11 May 2023.

Hahaha...so we have NOONE with the personality to be the leader? ...a bunch of folks who are unrecognizable in a crowd?...good thing they want to go into a dungeon then...can't work in normal society lol

I can rearrange skills a bit to put a rank in diplomacy.

I'm sure that'll make for an interesting team - and indeed, it's the perfect arrangement for a group of dungeon delvers.

Also, Nethi's 12 CHA is looking even more amazing than before. :)

In reply to Emok (msg # 67):

THank you very kindly.

Maybe I should re-arrange my spell selection and include Charm Person...

There, that'll do although obviously Hessum doesn't wear sunglasses and nor does he smoke, but, were this a movie, he would definitely be played by Basil Rathbone.

Well, I had three ranks in background skills anyway, so I took the one out of craft and put it in diplomacy. Nethi now has a +5 diplomacy. :P

That seems fine for first level, doesn't it?

I might take Clever Wordplay (by means of Additional Traits when I next get a feat) if we really need it, but I'm sure we won't be in too much trouble from lacking social grace - there's way to work around that.

I tend to use purple for my speech, Orange for OOC, and Red and Blue for die rolls.

Cha 5. But ai did take Pragmatic Activator for UMD to key off Int

Think I'm all finished now. Unfortunately I'm at medium encumbrance, even with 12 Str and a masterwork backpack. :'(

Tell me about it.  With a Str of 10 in order to keep within my weight limit, I've ended up having spent around half of my 40gp budget.

Ah, Strength; the other most common dump stat. I'm willing to bet I win this one; I have 16. As long as it's reasonable, I'll probably be able to carry a lot of stuff for anybody who needs it.

Oh no, it's not so much a dump stat.  I have a Cha of 8 as well.  Which is still slightly better than my R/L cha (probably)

No judgment here - my CHA is 5 like Greb, so I'm not throwing any stones. :)

Dang, I guess I went boring with my point buy. Wis 16, and 12 everything else.

With 16 CHA for Zail, you might put the points into something else.  As the background skills take care of two of my three prerequisites for the prestige class I am looking to take, I can put a point into Diplomacy and bring it to +9.

I do have to look closer towards strength if I want to wear a chain shirt rather than leather armor.

Ah! Right, Swashbuckler also has CHA as a secondary, doesn't it? Well, it's nice to know we'll have a specialist to bail us out when our team of misfits inevitably offends someone! ^_^


I wouldn't say that's boring at all. I'd have gone for something similar if I wasn't playing a class with two primary stats (STR and INT) which necessitated me to sacrifice something to have at least decent CON and WIS. In fact, I generally prefer going for a "12 all around" or at least "nothing below 10" build, but not all classes work well with that approach, sadly.

Taking a -2 hit on Wis hurts when Perception, Sense Motive, and Heal are an intrinsic part of your character. But the +Dex helps for all the other Rogue skills.

Awesome, Zail. I can either leave the rank there or maybe drop diplomacy and move my favored class bonus to an HP instead.

Damn. Need more gold for Boline and Surgeons tools.

At 1st level, the bonus hit point can make a difference, except when you get hit with a crit. Had that happen to a 1st level Cleric in 3.0 with an Orc using a great axe. :(

Tell me about it. I could only afford one healer's kit -- I needed that boline. 0_0  And, yeah, the HP will bring me from 9 to 10.

Also, GM, I think I'm gonna take another crack at equipment. If I'm going to be at med encumbrance anyway, I probable don't need the 50gp masterwork backpack. :P

It's all your choices... :)

When you're done with your character build please find your name in the combat summary.

As this is a very extensive Dungeon Crawl, though you may go back to Fort Inevitable...or any other settlement...at will; I'm tracking encumbrance for what you can take out...supplies for food and water and ammo in case you run out.

In most games I wouldn't...but after all that does play a factor in a dungeon crawl ;)




Combat Summary

Emok AC:??(T:??/FF:??) CMD:?? HP:??/?? Saves-FO:?? RE:?? WL:??
Level Class (archetype) (diety) m/f race (subrace) Defenses: ?? Hero Points:1
Enc:C ??/L:??-??/M:??-??/H:??-?? Water: ?? Food: ?? Ammunition: ?? Expendables: ??

Greb AC:??(T:??/FF:??) CMD:?? HP:??/?? Saves-FO:?? RE:?? WL:??
Level Class (archetype) (diety) m/f race (subrace) Defenses: ?? Hero Points:1
Enc:C ??/L:??-??/M:??-??/H:??-?? Water: ?? Food: ?? Ammunition: ?? Expendables: ??

Hessum AC:??(T:??/FF:??) CMD:?? HP:??/?? Saves-FO:?? RE:?? WL:??
Level Class (archetype) (diety) m/f race (subrace) Defenses: ?? Hero Points:1
Enc:C ??/L:??-??/M:??-??/H:??-?? Water: ?? Food: ?? Ammunition: ?? Expendables: ??

Nethi AC:??(T:??/FF:??) CMD:?? HP:??/?? Saves-FO:?? RE:?? WL:??
Level Class (archetype) (diety) m/f race (subrace) Defenses: ?? Hero Points:1
Enc:C ??/L:??-??/M:??-??/H:??-?? Water: ?? Food: ?? Ammunition: ?? Expendables: ??

Verdra AC:??(T:??/FF:??) CMD:?? HP:??/?? Saves-FO:?? RE:?? WL:??
Level Class (archetype) (diety) m/f race (subrace) Defenses: ?? Hero Points:1
Enc:C ??/L:??-??/M:??-??/H:??-?? Water: ?? Food: ?? Ammunition: ?? Expendables: ??

Zail AC:??(T:??/FF:??) CMD:?? HP:??/?? Saves-FO:?? RE:?? WL:??
Level Class (archetype) (diety) m/f race (subrace) Defenses: ?? Hero Points:1
Enc:C ??/L:??-??/M:??-??/H:??-?? Water: ?? Food: ?? Ammunition: ?? Expendables: ??

Hey, Nethi. How about a collaboration? Maybe someone brought me to you as a likely student of the Healer's Art? Since you are a cleric and I am a rogue, I suspect your skill is higher.

You buy the healers kit. I buy the Boline and the surgeon's tools. I think I can make the Aid another DC check of 10 to give you a +2. The surgeon kit boosts the +2 to +3 for Healers kit vs Deadly Wounds.

Greb being an ex slave from a far off land, that Cheliax does travel to...perhaps she helped him escape...and then you could have a joint background and a reason to do that

In reply to GM Dread (msg # 94):

What do you mean by Defenses?
Should Senses or Initiative be among the Combat stats data?
How many days of water does a full water skin hold?

Emok AC:13(T:12/FF:12) CMD:8 HP:8/8 Saves-FO:+2 RE:+1 WL:+3
1 Arcanist(Brown-Fur Transmuter) (none) m Humanoid(Ratfolk) Defenses: ?? Hero Points:1
Enc:C 13.625/L:0-15/M:16-30/H:30-45 Water: 1 Food: 2 Ammunition: xx Expendables: SCroll of Enlarge Person, Scroll of Monkey Fish

Like that?

Hessum also has 16 WIS he's a monk and it contributes to his AC as does DEX, he also needed high CON and (as an Azlanti historian) INT as well.

Hessum AC:15(T:15/FF:13) CMD:12 HP:14/14 Saves-FO:+5 RE:+3 WL:+5
Level 1 Class Monk (diety)Torag m race Dwarf Defenses: ?? Hero Points:1
Enc:C 31.5/L:0-33/M:34-66/H:67-120 Water: 00 Food: 10 days Ammunition: 10 bolts Expendables: ??
This message was last edited by the player at 13:23, Fri 12 May 2023.

Zail AC:17(T:15/FF:12) CMD:16 HP:13/13 Saves-FO:+2 RE:+6 WL:-1 Init +4
Level 1 Class Swashbuckler(No archetype) (Shelyn) M Aasimar (Asata) Defenses: Combat Expertise
Hero Points:1 Enc:C 38.78 /L:0-43/M:44-86/H:87-130 Water: Wineskin Food: 4 days Ammunition: ?? Expendables: 2x alchemist fire.

Note:Combat expertise -1 to attack for a +1 Dodge bonus with the Threatening Defender trait negating the -1 to the attack.

Note:Opportune Parry and Riposte (Ex)  At 1st level, when an opponent makes a melee attack against the swashbuckler, she can spend 1 panache point and expend a use of an attack of opportunity to attempt to parry that attack. The swashbuckler makes an attack roll as if she were making an attack of opportunity; for each size category the attacking creature is larger than the swashbuckler, the swashbuckler takes a -2 penalty on this roll. If her result is greater than the attacking creature's result, the creature's attack automatically misses. The swashbuckler must declare the use of this ability after the creature's attack is announced, but before its attack roll is made. Upon performing a successful parry and if she has at least 1 panache point, the swashbuckler can as an immediate action make an attack against the creature whose attack she parried, provided that creature is within her reach. This deed's cost cannot be reduced by any ability or effect that reduces the number of panache points a deed costs.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:16, Sat 13 May 2023.

And now I'm thinking of replacing Hessum's Heavy Crossbow with a quarterstaff, some caltrops and some shuriken for a slightly reduced encumbrance, although it won't be reduced enough for him to carry water so I hope there's a cleric around who can create water.

In reply to Greb (msg # 95):

We can Collab! I did rearrange my equipment, no more masterwork backpack or surgeon's tools, though I had enough to keep the boline AND buy a second healer's kit. My second fear after healer's hands is now Improvisational Healer, so I don't have a penalty without a kit, and the bonus for using a kit is two higher. If that stacks with surgeons tools, that would be a +5 before the aid another. We got this!



Nethi AC:14(T:11/FF:13) CMD:12 HP:9/9 Saves-FO:+5 RE:+2 WL:+4
Level 1 Cleric (Milani) f humanoid (human), Defenses: Liberation 1 round/day, 1/1; Hero Points:1
Enc:C 71.5/L:0-43/M:44-86/H:87-130 Water: 1 Food: 10 Ammunition: 10 Expendables: Healer's kit 10/10; Healer's kit 10/10. Deflection aura 1/day, 1/1; Channel energy 4/day, 4/4
This message was last edited by the player at 17:17, Fri 12 May 2023.

So you have a boline yourself? Cool.

In reply to Greb (msg # 97):

Defenses are things like bonus for certain save, resistances, immunities, the swashbucklers parry riposte. Using..anything I might need to know during combats.

A waterskin is one day of water.

In reply to Emok (msg # 98):
Yes

Got it, fixed my defenses section to just the liberation ability. It isn't super useful at level 1, but 1 free round of freedom of movement that auto kicks in when I need it is still good.

And I do have create water and purify food+drink memorized. I also went with the Defense Subdomain of protection instead of the Healing domain; once per day I can put up a 20' aura that grants all allies +2 deflection AC/CMD, for only one round right now.

So now that is...
Hessum AC:15(T:15/FF:13) CMD:12 HP:14/14 Saves-FO:+5 RE:+3 WL:+5
Level 1 Class Monk (deity)Torag male race Dwarf Defenses: +4 v creatures of Giant type.  +4 v Bull Rush or Trip when standing on the ground Hero Points:1 Enc:C 32.5/L:0-33/M:34-66/H:67-120 Water: 1 Food: 10 days Ammunition: - Expendables: 10 Shuriken

Greb AC:18(T:16/FF:13) CMD:15 HP:9/9 Saves-FO:+1 RE:+7 WL:+1 Senses: Low-Light;
L1 Unchained Rogue (Counterfeit Mage) (deity) Sarenrae, m Monkey Goblin (Goblin) Defenses: +2 vs Fear;  Hero Points:1 Init:5/6(underground)
Enc:C 25/L:00-32/M:33-65/H:66-98 Water: 3 waterskin Food: 5 days Ammunition: 10 sling bullets Expendables: Healer kit 10 ch


I suppose I should also mention
Move 20'
Climb 30'

I think everyones on roll20 except Verdra. see if you can all make out the map of Fort Inevitable and if you are ok with the Token Ive chosen for you.

Nethi...I picked one before I saw the one you had on the cast log that used the colors of Milani's priestess' So let me know if youd rather use that or what you had on the cast long. Im ok either way.

Uh... Is being on roll20 a prerequisite for playing? I missed it if that was said anywhere. I think that takes some form of subscription, isn't it? Or am I remembering wrong?

You're wrong.lol I'm the only needs to subscribe ...

You just join the game and look at maps and move your character or tell me where you move to...it just helps with the visuals
This message was last updated by the GM at 21:32, Fri 12 May 2023.

...GM? I think you made a post as me?

Lol cause I have an npc so I have to choose who to post as and didn't look closely ...fixed

In reply to GM Dread (msg # 111):

I think I like mine a little better if that's okay. :)

It's absolutely your choice

Okay, Nethi. By taking a lesser armor I was able to afford a Healer's kit and a boline. The surgeon tools will have to wait, as well as better arms and armor.

You are welcome to set me up on roll20 GM Dread. I have been on there since 2015 and do not really use it as my internet out here is two cans and a string.

I can't get there on this can and string but tomorrow I shall be on my laptop and we shall see

For those that can have difficulty moving characters on roll 20...if you can see it, then describe what you do and I'll
 Move characters.

If you can't even see it, then it'll have to be theater of the mind and I'll do my best for good descriptions and handle the movement based on your posts.

I honestly don't even know what d20 is and have never used it in my life.

I've moved my character on the map, just because I can

In reply to Greb (msg # 118):

I'll wrangle a way to get the surgeon's tools even if I have to drop back to 1 healer's kit. I feel like we'll have a much higher chance of finding healer's kits for sale and as loot than we will surgeons tools. :P

Also worth noting that the heal skill doesn't do much right now unless we hit a 25+, which would heal like 5hp right now.

Question to everyone.  Would it be sensible for me to sacrifice one skill and a skillpoint in a few more for a +1 damage to every hit and an increase in the amount I can carry of 5lbs?  Hmm now I look at it, it is isn't it?

You'll like that it. I'll tell you that.

Especially in dungeons it makes it awesome
 Characters can only see what they can  based on vision.

And now - Psycho Hessum question.  How much damage does a grappling hook do if used as an improvised weapon whether ranged or melee?

Hessum AC:15(T:15/FF:13) CMD:12 HP:14/14 Saves-FO:+5 RE:+3 WL:+5
Level 1 Class Monk (deity)Torag male race Dwarf Defenses: +4 v creatures of Giant type.  +4 v Bull Rush or Trip when standing on the ground Hero Points:1 Enc:C 42.5/L:0-43/M:44-86/H:87-130 Water: 1 Food: 10 days Ammunition: - Expendables: 10 Shuriken and 1 torch

In reply to Hessum Thunderhide (msg # 127):

D6 plus change of tripping or disarming if you choose

In reply to Hessum Thunderhide (msg # 127):

I mean, if you want to use a grappling hook as your weapon, there's a feat for that.

https://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats...hook-fighter-combat/

That's one of the great things about Pathfinder (and 3.5) - if you look around enough, there tends to be a feat for everything. Not always a good one, but one.

And I definitely agree that extra damage and extra carrying capacity is worth losing a skill point, unless the skill is extremely important for your character to have - which seems unlikely to be the case for every single skill you picked.

In reply to Verdra (msg # 130):

Dang, that's a nice feat. Like a Dorn-Dergar but with 15' reach and trip and disarm. Hessum could be our 'ranged' specialist with that.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:16, Sun 14 May 2023.

Maybe at third level. For first level he needed weapon finesse and catch aware

Yeah, the game allows too few feats. I've at least five I wanted to take at first level, and it's a bit annoying having to wait ten levels to get a build functioning properly, but that's just how the system works - unlimited options, nearly no space to try them out.

It's why I decided against my Bull-rushing Paladin. Would have been level 9 before he could really come on-line!

In reply to Emok (msg # 134):

Well, if you ever find yourself in a game that allows for third party material, you might want to check this:

http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/brute

The link leads the free srd for the Sphere of Might & Power system. It's basically a collection of feats, only they are gained on a separate track from normal feats (although you can spend feats to get them) and every character get four of them at level one, not to mention most of them are better than feats and have minimal prerequisites, (in that abilities under one "sphere" only have the base sphere they are under as prerequisites and nothing else, but they improve each others if you have multiples), which allows things like having the equivalent of Shield Mastery at level 1 and generally lets most build have at least their core elements active by level 3 at the latest, while still allowing for interesting progress at higher levels.

Sorry for the shilling, but I really love this system so I'm always trying to make people try it out! ^_^

In reply to Verdra (msg # 135):

My brain's been on 3.x for 23 years so I'm slow to pick up big changes and new systems. XD

Maybe Spheres would be fun if everyone's using it, but I was in a game where only one player was using it and the power difference just disgusted me and turned me off from even trying it. >.<

---

How is everyone coming along with their character sheets? Are we about ready to start up? Anything I can help anyone with?

It appears all character sheets are done. Ill start a game thread. Just need Verdra's combat summary.



Combat Summary

Emok AC:13(T:12/FF:12) CMD:8 HP:8/8 Saves-FO:+2 RE:+1 WL:+3
1 Arcanist(Brown-Fur Transmuter) (none) m Humanoid(Ratfolk) Defenses: ?? Hero Points:1
Enc:C 13.625/L:0-15/M:16-30/H:30-45 Water: 1 Food: 2 Ammunition: xx Expendables: SCroll of Enlarge Person, Scroll of Monkey Fish

Greb AC:18(T:16/FF:13) CMD:15 HP:9/9 Saves-FO:+1 RE:+7 WL:+1 Senses: Low-Light;
L1 Unchained Rogue (Counterfeit Mage) (deity) Sarenrae, m Monkey Goblin (Goblin) Defenses: +2 vs Fear;  Hero Points:1 Init:5/6(underground)
Enc:C 25/L:00-32/M:33-65/H:66-98 Water: 3 waterskin Food: 5 days Ammunition: 10 sling bullets Expendables: Healer kit 10 ch

Hessum AC:15(T:15/FF:13) CMD:12 HP:14/14 Saves-FO:+5 RE:+3 WL:+5
Level 1 Class Monk (deity)Torag male race Dwarf Defenses: +4 v creatures of Giant type.  +4 v Bull Rush or Trip when standing on the ground Hero Points:1 Enc:C 42.5/L:0-43/M:44-86/H:87-130 Water: 1 Food: 10 days Ammunition: - Expendables: 10 Shuriken and 1 torch

Nethi AC:14(T:11/FF:13) CMD:12 HP:9/9 Saves-FO:+5 RE:+2 WL:+4
Level 1 Cleric (Milani) f humanoid (human), Defenses: Liberation 1 round/day, 1/1; Hero Points:1
Enc:C 71.5/L:0-43/M:44-86/H:87-130 Water: 1 Food: 10 Ammunition: 10 Expendables: Healer's kit 10/10; Healer's kit 10/10. Deflection aura 1/day, 1/1; Channel energy 4/day, 4/4

Verdra AC:??(T:??/FF:??) CMD:?? HP:??/?? Saves-FO:?? RE:?? WL:??
Level Class (archetype) (diety) m/f race (subrace) Defenses: ?? Hero Points:1
Enc:C ??/L:??-??/M:??-??/H:??-?? Water: ?? Food: ?? Ammunition: ?? Expendables: ??

Zail AC:17(T:15/FF:12) CMD:16 HP:13/13 Saves-FO:+2 RE:+6 WL:-1 Init +4
Level 1 Class Swashbuckler(No archetype) (Shelyn) M Aasimar (Asata) Defenses: Combat Expertise, Parry nd riposte. Panache points:
Hero Points:1 Enc:C 38.78 /L:0-43/M:44-86/H:87-130 Water: Wineskin Food: 4 days Ammunition: ?? Expendables: 2x alchemist fire.

Really? Sphere isn't a substantial gain in power compared to standard PF - Martial get to do a lot more fun things, but damage-wise, I think a full-attacking martial with proper optimization would still win it; and the magical side of it is certainly less powerful than Vancian. Are you sure it wasn't Path of War? That's the other super-popular Pathfinder supplement for martial, and the one that truly turns them into genuine monsters.

In either case, I'd be really curious to hear in more details about your experience! I like learning about how things turned out in play where interesting circumstances are involved.



Uh, I thought you were building those yourself out of the data in the sheet. Sure, let me fill that up.

Verdra AC: 14 (T: 10/FF: 14) CMD: 13 HP: 10/10 Saves-FO: +3(+7) RE: +0 WL: +3(+7)
Level 1 Magus (Hexcrafter) F Android (Humanoid & Construct)
Defenses: Immunity to Morale bonuses, Immunity to Fear and Emotion-based effects
Hero Points: 1 Enc: C 65 / L: 0-76 / M: 77-153 / H: 154-230
Water: 4 lb Food: 5 days rations Ammunition: 20 Shortbow Arrows / Expendables: Torches 10

Does that works?

Yes it does

Thank you

Currently using Spheres in a Serpent's Skull game, and enjoying it thoroughly.

And as it's said...The Game is Afoot

Combat Summary

Emok AC:13(T:12/FF:12) CMD:8 HP:8/8 Saves-FO:+2 RE:+1 WL:+3
1 Arcanist(Brown-Fur Transmuter) (none) m Humanoid(Ratfolk) Defenses: ?? Hero Points:1
Enc:C 13.625/L:0-15/M:16-30/H:30-45 Water: 1 Food: 2 Ammunition: xx Expendables: SCroll of Enlarge Person, Scroll of Monkey Fish

Greb AC:18(T:16/FF:13) CMD:15 HP:9/9 Saves-FO:+1 RE:+7 WL:+1 Senses: Low-Light;
L1 Unchained Rogue (Counterfeit Mage) (deity) Sarenrae, m Monkey Goblin (Goblin) Defenses: +2 vs Fear;  Hero Points:1 Init:5/6(underground)
Enc:C 25/L:00-32/M:33-65/H:66-98 Water: 3 waterskin Food: 5 days Ammunition: 10 sling bullets Expendables: Healer kit 10 ch

Hessum AC:15(T:15/FF:13) CMD:12 HP:14/14 Saves-FO:+5 RE:+3 WL:+5
Level 1 Class Monk (deity)Torag male race Dwarf Defenses: +4 v creatures of Giant type.  +4 v Bull Rush or Trip when standing on the ground Hero Points:1 Enc:C 42.5/L:0-43/M:44-86/H:87-130 Water: 1 Food: 10 days Ammunition: - Expendables: 10 Shuriken and 1 torch

Nethi AC:14(T:11/FF:13) CMD:12 HP:9/9 Saves-FO:+5 RE:+2 WL:+4
Level 1 Cleric (Milani) f humanoid (human), Defenses: Liberation 1 round/day, 1/1; Hero Points:1
Enc:C 71.5/L:0-43/M:44-86/H:87-130 Water: 1 Food: 10 Ammunition: 10 Expendables: Healer's kit 10/10; Healer's kit 10/10. Deflection aura 1/day, 1/1; Channel energy 4/day, 4/4


Verdra AC: 14 (T: 10/FF: 14) CMD: 13 HP: 10/10 Saves-FO: +3(+7) RE: +0 WL: +3(+7)
Level 1 Magus (Hexcrafter) F Android (Humanoid & Construct)
Defenses: Immunity to Morale bonuses, Immunity to Fear and Emotion-based effects
Hero Points: 1 Enc: C 65 / L: 0-76 / M: 77-153 / H: 154-230
Water: 4 lb Food: 5 days rations Ammunition: 20 Shortbow Arrows / Expendables: Torches 10


Zail AC:17(T:15/FF:12) CMD:16 HP:13/13 Saves-FO:+2 RE:+6 WL:-1 Init +4
Level 1 Class Swashbuckler(No archetype) (Shelyn) M Aasimar (Asata) Defenses: Combat Expertise, Parry nd riposte. Panache points:
Hero Points:1 Enc:C 38.78 /L:0-43/M:44-86/H:87-130 Water: Wineskin Food: 4 days Ammunition: ?? Expendables: 2x alchemist fire

I'd be curious to hear how that's going! Any interesting things about the system you found out through play?

Also, just to make sure there's no bad blood, Verdra isn't annoyed or looking for a fight when she answered Greb's inquiry over her being inhuman, she's just trying to understand how he came to that conclusion, because nothing about her looks anything other than human. Well, except the golden eyes, but in a word with elves, half-elves and gnomes which have eyes, hair and skin in all the colors of the rainbow and a few more, I think that would barely rate. And her own skin is very much soft human one and, while Greb would not have had the chance to physically test that, it also looks like it. She's an Android, so she looks physically human on the outside.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:01, Wed 17 May 2023.

But does not Sound human, is the point.


As regards Serpents, we are all level 1 still. A bit more character flexibility early on, and a lot of Sphere techniques substitute for existing Feats.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:41, Wed 17 May 2023.

That's my experience as well - level 1 isn't very different but it does gives you the chance to build a lot of bases.

As for Verdra... she might just be neurodivergent; in a sense, that's basically what she is, really.

Just to clarify: my reading is that two of the stones say ‘power’ and one says ‘passage?’

...really? My reading was that one rune was "power" and the second "passage", while what was written on the third was in a different language that I couldn't read. Is that a misunderstanding?

The message said Runes 2 "power"
                 Rune 1 "passage"


I read that 2 Power 1 Passage runes

Yes there were 2 stones of Power and 2 passage. Sorry that wasn't clear.

Does anyone NOT speak Azlanti? XD

Nethi doesn't.

Did I miss something? There is nothing in the Bard's related tale that connects the Construct to the emerald Spire, is there?

Yes. The crystal stones are the same material and color as the spire

Just to speed up IC planning of what gear we need, this is what Emok has:
Caltrops x1
Candles x20
Scroll of Enlarge Person
Scroll of Monkey Fish
Waterskin, Rations x2
5.8 GP to contribute towards anything we purchase.

Suggested items:
Cart and Mule, 15 GP and 8 GP
Chalk, 1 CP each
Rope, 1 or 10 GP per 50'
Crowbar, 2 GP
Surgeon's Tools, 20 GP
Mwk Thieves Tools, 100 GP
This message was last edited by the player at 01:40, Thu 25 May 2023.

I'm personally fine in terms of equipment, at least so far as non-magical stuff is concerned. And very glad that we do have a mapmaker. :)

What about anybody else? If Emok is the only one that needs to buy extra supplies, it seems like the rest of us shouldn't have much to add, but I got the impression Greb and Nethi at least wanted to buy medical equipment?

I have: a hammer, 10 days rations, a waterskin, a flint and steel, a grappling hook, 50' of silk rope, and a torch, plus 7GP, 3sp and 9cp to contribute to the pot.  I also have a monk's outfit and a bedroll, but I don't think I'll need to share those.

In reply to Verdra (msg # 154):

It's not about Emok "needing to buy extra supplies."

No *one* of us needs a mule and cart, but the party might. Coordinating what we bring also helps avoid bringing several of a heavy item which we'd only need one of, like a crowbar.


Don't discount having a good time already!

I'm doubtful a mule will be able to move through a dungeon that is likely to be very vertical.

However, aside from that, I don't disagree that making sure nobody is doubling up on the heaviest pieces of equipment is a good idea. And indeed, if you need help to carry things, mention it to Verdra and she won't have too much of a problem with it; I'm 10 lb under my light load capacity at the moment, so I have some room to spare.

I just meant that I had nothing to add to that list. Which I don't. I also already have rope of my own, but that's something where having more of it won't hurt either way.

The surgeon's tools aren't absolutely essential. They're really just a +1 to heal right now when used with a kit (and Nethi doesn't take penalties for not using a kit), and by level 5 it will just be 1 extra HP recovered when she treats you. Getting them now was more about making sure we had them later, since they're kind of obscure and not likely to be found in random dungeon loot.

And, if we did find them in a dungeon, you wouldn't want us using those surgeon's tools. :P

Bottom line, not a necessity. We can buy some later.

Ok finalize a list of items and if I think I need to check availability I will otherwise probably need to move towards getting your warrant...which of like to roleplay

Somebody going to take point on going to the Chancery for the Warrant. That I want roleplayed.

For the rest. Just each character post what they picked up and we can handwaved the purchase role play

Done! And I drew a little arrow on the roll 20 map from the Juliver Arms to the Chancery, I hope that's alright.

For equipment, the surgeon's tools can wait. Extra food is always good. I can cast Create Water to refill waterskins. For my encumbrance... It's the 32 lb. cleric kit that's killing me. I'm going to revisit what's actually in the kit and see what I can lose to lighten up a bit. :P

I made it pretty clear, repeatedly, that Emok was trying to get everyone to head out.

My apologies I noted the post, but took it that you were trying to get them to leave, and was waiting for confirmation.
Sorry I didn't take it that you were heading out.

In reply to GM Dread (msg # 160):

Greb picked up a set of Masterwork thieves tools, and a surgeons tool kit. He had the capacity to carry them, just not the coin... Until now.

Given his background in archaeology, does Hessum recognise the woman behind the counter?

Did any of you have any questions for Ilara before I wrap her meeting up?

I have nothing more to ask - I already asked what she wanted to share, I don't think asking it twice will change the answer.

Nothing thanks

In reply to Verdra (msg # 167):

She replied what questions do you have?
She will gladly share but wants specific questions so she doesn't just inundate you with things you don't care about...she does have info...just ask a question

...I'm confused now.

I asked if she wanted to share things and if she was contacting us for that reason, and she said she doesn't know very much and that she was contacting us because she wanted us to do something for her (look for her associates), not to share information. She did say that she would tell us what she knew in order to help find these people, but I don't really know how I would go about asking any specific questions.

I'm not sure how to explain it, but the fact is, at least as far as I'm concerned, I don't know what details it makes sense to ask about. Do I ask her about the spyre's layout, or the creature within? She has done nothing to indicate she knows these things. It would be like throwing darts blindfolded, which is not a very productive activity. If she can't volunteer anything herself after being asked if she had information, I am naturally inclined to assume she doesn't know anything she think is worth sharing, or she would have on her own.

To be clear, this isn't an attempt to be dismissive or anything of the sort; I genuinely thought "uh, she didn't provide any information, she must think she has nothing to offer or be unwilling to share with us", either of which is a fine character beat for an NPC to follow. I perceived her as a wall, and didn't see how one would go for getting through it, nor did it look easy, so I decided it was better not to waste the effort. Cold android logic and nothing more, in character.


Being told that she's an open book, except the index and chapter headers are hidden, so we need to open at random page and hope that we find something interesting in there... is something that I am not very good at, and luckily in character I already let it to other people to make their inquiries, if they had any, so overall, my position remains unchanged - if my first question wasn't good enough, then I don't have any good follow-up to it, so I'm content with getting nothing more and moving forward.

Just my personal opinion; if the team has other ideas on questions to ask, I won't object to them, I just don't have any such idea myself.

Ilara said she knows Royst and Macdugal so she probably doesn’t actually need the runestone we have … but we might. Emok and I see no reason then to part with it.

But if it’ll get things moving I’ll agree to most anything… XD

Although I did suggest collateral that would help us.....

A fine idea; OOC I'd wager whatever collateral would actually be more useful than keeping the runestone ... but I'd also wager it's a bit off-script for a minimal AP dressing up a dungeon crawl.

I was just hoping to push things along, but now I realize the DM hasn't logged in since his last post so it's not just a lull...

While that's likely the case, I do think that showing a presence isn't bad - it makes it clear we're still around and interested in playing.

*waves*...



...then starts digging a hole

But when should we call it? That's the question

I mean, to me it costs nothing to keep the game in my active list; it's not like there's limited spots. If the GM shows up again, the people who still want to play it can speak up then, and we make an headcount. And if not, just leave it there? I've a couple games in my "playing" list that haven't seen a post from the GM in four years, so it hardly changes much.

A bit sad that the game will probably never go live again, but it happens.

Hi everyone. I'm sorry I haven't been around. I had internal bleeding and was hospitalized. Then out and put back in with gall bladder issues...they took it out. Then out and on pain meds. Just getting a clear head. Diagnosed with knee auto immune hepatitis.

Ie I'm not well. My lactic acid climbs and I get fuzzy brained. No energy.it pains me to say this, I don't know how I can continue, feeling like I do. I'm terrible sorry. I miss running games and playing just unsure how to continue.

Sorry about your troubles, GM. Do what's best for you and your health; these are just games.

Same here, really sad to hear you're feeling that badly; you have my best wishes for things to get as better as medically possible as soon as possible. Worry about getting better first, and if you ever feel like you can run a game again you can let us know; as I said, waiting is no chore, and as Emok says, games are of no matter compared to one's own health. Take care of yourself and don't feel guilty about it, it's the right thing to do!

GM Dread Sir, take care of yourself.  wake the game when you're better or don't.  You might prefer to start a new one and call your existing games.  Your health is more important in the scheme of things.

Yep, sorry to hear that you are not feeling well. You can always start a new game when things settle down but your health takes priority.

Yep. RL issues are more important. Playing here is just a release valve from time to time.

Thank you all for understanding and for the well wishes