Thanks for the update. Certainly, any of us could have real-life priorities that take over. Completely understood.

All I would ask is that when this happens, please post a message on this forum to let everyone know. Especially while we are playing the adventure. That way, we can decide together whether to wait for a player to resume, or carry-on without. The Judge can NPC a character for a short time if necessary (and the player says ok) or the group can take time off. But everyone knows the deal and other players/Judge aren't left hanging and wondering.

A quick "slammed by work, be back on the weekend" or "on vacation, back in 7 days" goes a long way. It only takes a minute to log in and post that. Agreed?

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #25):

I agree.

'Greed.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #25):

Speaking of which...

Diane's uncle passed away yesterday.  We'll be on the road to Ohio soon and I won't be able to post (probably) until wednesday.

Sorry to hear about Diane's uncle. Thanks for the note.

As it happens, I'm taking Dirk to Kansas tomorrow. And then I go to Memphis Wednesday-Friday. I still expect to log in once/day, but FYI . . .

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #25):

'Greed. 'Greed is good, or so I've always heard. Might not hurt to shoot the Judge (bastard that he is) a one line message with general directions in your absence.

Shootin' the Judge would be a bad idea, I figure.

Speaking of which, I'm off on vacation until the 24th. I don't know if I will have access to the Internet, but if I do I'll post.

Thanks for the notice. Fortunately, Cole is ready to play and we're still waiting for other players to get their characters set up, so it's likely to be somewhere between a couple of weeks and November before we start playing.

Another cowpoke has joined the round-up. Silas Walker. Not one of the original 6 that were emailed, but another good pard who knows more than a little about S:R. I'll keep the feller's identity a mystery for a little while, as he gets things going.

We still need Johnny to resume. I left a voice mail.

Do I know him (or her)?

I reckon so.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #36):

I'm back in the saddle pards...

Glad to see you Silas.  Looking forward to the big reveal.

One of the major changes in 4th edition is the character classes.  For the two reasons I mentioned earlier, improved pick up play through standardization and the use of miniatures in combat, the classes were built a certain way.

First say good bye to the druid, barbarian and bard.  Next replace sorcerer with warlock.  Then add the warlord class.

Next take each class and divide it into two.  Two flavors of each class.  For example two weapon style ranger vs archer ranger.  Warlord is definitely a miniature addition.  He fights like a fighter but instead of gaining insane fighting abilities he gains he bards inspiration abilities.  Think Maximus from Gladiator.

More on classes tomorrow.

Howdy gents, glad to be in the saddle riding along with you fellas. Working on my character sheet today, will be good to get things moseying along.

Well Silas, if you are who I think you are... great to see you again.  If you aren't that person, welcome to our little group.

Well dad-gummit pardner, if that ain't the most confounded statement I ever did read.

Please note that I edited the "Rules and Standards" to include a note about the use of the two Bio lines that appear in all of your posts. Please read that (#7) and set up your Bio line #1 and #2 appropriately.

FYI, that Travis feller has his set already--you can see mine and his in this here thread.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #20):

Daily post...

Skills have been revamped and they are certainly easier.  3.5 has a great opportunity to fine tune your character and if you're a wizard you'll be a renaissance man before you reach high levels.

That said, the new skill rules are easier to understand. In some ways they are an improvement and in other ways they are not.

First, there are only 17 skills.  Each character class allows for a certain number to begin with and they must be chosen from a specified list.  For example a Warlock gets 4 skills from a list of eight.  A paladin is trained in religion and gets three more skills from a list of 7.

That's it with one exception.  You can get cross-class skills with the skill training feat.

So the negative is lack of flexibility no more gain a level and pick up a language learn to be a baker and increase your spellcraft skill.

On the other hand these skills can really help define your character. I think some of the missing classes can be rebuilt based on the skills you choose.  A Bard reflects a warlord or rogue with insight, perception and arcana.  A druid could be a cleric with Nature skill. A monk is a rogue with acrobatics, stealth and athletics.  If you are the only one in your party with a specific skill you will be called upon to use it, frequently.  I never once made a Profession (cooking) roll.  Additionally, the skills are bigger and better.  Take thievery skill and you get Disable trap, open lock and pick pocket.  Take Arcana and you get arcane knowledge, monster knowledge and detect magic.  Athletics gives you climb, jump and escape from grasp.  Heal..first aid and treat disease.  Nature... Forage, handle animal, nature knowledge Monster Knowledge (natural).  You get the point.

Some skills can only be used if they are trained.  Any other skill can be attempted but training gives you +5 which I think is a big deal in the 4th ed.

Good news is other characters know about monsters.  I hated being a 15th level dwarven fighter and looking to the 10th level wizard to tell me about my sworn racial enemy the giant.

Also you get a skill modifier that improves with your level (add half your level rounded down).  The more experience, the greater chance you know what you're doing.  A 20th level Battlemaster will have a better untrained chance to "intimidate" an opponent than the first level trained rogue.

Last thing, using this method its easier to do the pick up game and for a DM to quickly understand your character and his role.  Dwarf fighter with endurance, dungeoneering, and Intimidate.  "Got it."  Rogue with streetwise, thievery, stealth and bluff.  "I understand."  Elf Ranger with Nature, athletics and stealth.  "Sure."

Lack of training in a skill means no +5 bonus.  Not the end of the world for the unskilled but that's 10 levels of experience to make up and a show stopper for trained skill attempts (like reduce falling damage... which is a part of acrobatics and shows how you can help you build a monk off of a core character class).

So skills...more playable, stronger usage, more impact on your characters "archtype," but way less flexibility.

Just sayin' pardners.

Yeppers

Left a private message for the whole posse.

I'll be headed to Cozumel next Thursday for a loooong weekend of diving, will be returning on Monday the 4th at which point I promptly turn around and fly to Kansas City for work for the 5th & 6th.

I will absolutely ZERO internet access while in Cozumel but should be able to catch up once I return.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #23):

No surprises but I like the new magic system.  You get spells which are gained like feats and represent your on demand innate magic.  Things that need to be at your fingertips.  Things that don't need study or spell memorization.  Things that are daily, encounter or at will.  Things like fireball, feather fall, web, and Bigby's spells.

Next they have rituals.  Spells from scrolls and books.   Spells involving incense and chanting.  Taking time not for combat or routine use.  Cure disease, enchant magic items, Commune with god or nature, raise dead, portal, view location.

This seems to be a fair balance.  Rituals are tied to the skills nature, arcana, heal and religion.  So again there's more character development that appears on the surface.   You're not going to raise dead without a healing skill check.  You can't commune with nature without a nature skill check.  Rituals have material components.  Spells do not.

Another improvement is that no wizard ever needs to buy a crossbow or pull his dagger against a fighter.  His on-demand spells will allow him to throw spellfire around every single round.  Bigger spells you can access once per encounter or per day.

Easier to role play a low-level wizard as a useful party member if you can cast more than one spell per day.

More later...

Okay, I just HAD to say this, but the first thing that him my brain when seeing Cole Trayne's first post was Roscoe P. Coltrane from the Dukes! Better watch out for that General Lee and Boss Hog!

In reply to Silas Walker (msg #47):

I think this is the true origin...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6WwuxqXPOg

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg #48):

I think I prefer your "true" origin.

Listening to it right now, in fact...