Okay, time for a new thread.

Yay's for new thread.

Thank you, Book of Vile Darkness! You saved me again!

Hehe, sacrifices are fun as evil cultist :). But I wonder would Lady Maria anyway learn about this. I could think Finshay Sturnhold could somepoint chat with Lady Maria and perhaps slip and tell about dark occultic practices in her group which disturps her (after all Lady Maria is a aasimar also and so she could open up to her to ease her troubled half).

Really? :)

In reply to Glasenter (msg #5):

Up to you :).

Who knows? :)

Moving on, anyone want to do anything in the deserted city.  Lady Maria will need a place to perform the spell to remove the negative levels, like the nice, defensible temple.

Ok, Lady Maria goes search temple somekind or highly defensive building both for her ritual and baptizing his new recruit as follower of Zarus.

Anyways in present thread she moves to the spot where she saw movement with her soldiers.

Aeron would serach the deserted town for surovirs/enemy/infomation with any other soilders who are willing to follow

how is everyone?

I am doing fine, plan play starts wars: Old Republic.

I am great, thank you. I hope our GM is fine too.

Worldmaster?
I know that the dudes in (3.5e) Versus the Hordes of the Abyss are a good bunch, you said so, and that DnD3.5 (Gestalt) Forgotten Realms - Savage Tide must be a great game to play, but can you take a moment to remember us?

Sorry, been busy and this game has been a little low on my priority list.  Been thinking, I'll get to it tomorrow, but that never happened.

Actually, I'm not all that keen on Savage Tide.  Been thinking about dropping it.

Today, I took the day off from school, so if anyone posts today, I'll reply to it.

Welcome again!

I say; a battle map would be lot helpful right now.

Yes it would and it's going to be big.  I'm working on it.  You have about 200 ghouls coming down on you.

200 ghouls? Nice, how much XP per each :D

Anyways did we go towards Pale or did we go towards crossroads? Just wondering we would face mountains while heading towards Pale or did we go seek get a boat and ride down river to side and then travel to Pale?

There was a pass through the mountains that was easy enough to go through.  At the moment, you would be just past the mountains marching towards Pale.  And the ghouls aren't worth that much.  The ghasts mixed in there are worth a little more.

Koryu, I will put a building near you that you can go into, but the ones here won't provide that much protection.

To make things easier on me and the map making, I will have the bridgeburners off map, holding one of the streets.  I'm thinking they could take a pair of buildings, one on either side of the street and shoot down at the ghouls below.  Half of them would guard the ground floor to prevent ghouls for entering.  Unless you have a different idea, Glasenter.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:42, Fri 04 May 2012.

I was hoping that me and the Bridgeburners could stay outside the town, and make Volley of Arrows, with the aid of my Clairvoyant sense, to the undeads till we get bored.

Oh, I thought you had gone into town with Maria and the others.  If you didn't, then that will make the battle map easier.

Okay, rough battle map is done.  I have Maria down an alley where she killed the ghoul.  Glasenter, if you are not in the city, then you are 20 squared south of the map.  The temple you saw is to the north east.

Who all is mounted?
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:33, Sat 05 May 2012.

Lady Maria is not mounted but all her soldiers are. Her soldiers spread out when we chased the ghoul (trying move ahead the ghoul to block passage).

Okay, updated that.

Maria, please be aware that Koryu has just arrived, so you have not had a chance to use the restoration scroll.

All the Bridgeburners has mounts from the previous town. Right now we are on foot, though.

Huh? What? I assumed Koryu arrived back to the group before we entered the city?! He posted earlier his arrival and stuff.

Yes he posted his arrival.  In game time it's only been a few minutes though.  You were on your way to the temple to perform the restoration.  If you scroll up in this thread a little, we discussed it earlier.

I assumed the cleansing in temple was in bastion than in present location?

There was no temple in bastion.  There wasn't much of bastion left.  You had marched south while Koryu went to get the scroll.  You both arrived at the current town at the same time.

This just means you get extra xp.

*sigh* Ok, I do not mind XP and do not mind so long we face ghouls but it makes pain to keep count for towards adding -1 pen to my attack rolls and so on.

I thought I mentioned in a PM making a character sheet with the negative levels worked in, if not, my bad.  You could just work up on with the penalties of the negative levels to work from.  That way you won't have to remember every attack.  Also was it 1 or 2 levels you were down?  I haven't gone back to check.

I will go ahead and place the monsters.  You have a round to buff.

Lady Marie was drained 2 levels and she recovered 1 level back but second roll failed. The greater restoration scroll heals negative level back egual to CL/week from since level was drained. I had not made the changes once it was confirmed we can get the scroll and assumed I got used it back in Bastion.

If I recall correctly, you guys set out the next morning towards Pale.  I flew up to buy the scroll and caught up to you a couple days into your march.

Glasenter waited till at least the second day after the battle. I pressume that Lady Maria too, she wondered what would happen if she met with Sturnhold.

Also, what is Tr, Ti and the various Sx?

Tr is Trina, Ti is Titus, and the x's are walls.

That is right, you did spend another day in Bastion.  However, let's keep moving.  You are here now and could have gotten to the temple safely to do the restoration (an you would have been trapped in the temple by the undead) if someone hadn't provoked the undead.

But what about the S<insert number>?

Ah, those, sorry, those are Lady Maria's soldiers.

Is the town walled or have some other defenses or gates?

It has a wall, but the gates are broken open.

How tall are the walls? I need to know so I can place the bridgeburners to get maximum possible range.

Not particularly tall, we'll say 15' high.

Sorry for slacking guys, seriously my bad >_< .

I would had commanded my crew cover alley ways and leave bigger street open for heroes but oh well. She froze likely and tried over analyzed situation as she did not see ghouls until they were up to her.

The soldiers are covering a couple alley ways, they just didn't have time to spread out before hitting the ghouls.

Maria, you could rally your forces and push north to the shelter of the temple.  Once inside, you can perform the restoration and let everyone heal up before fighting your way out.  Once while in there, maybe Glasenter can thin the undead's numbers.

Hmmm, that sounds like a plan. So we push through main street then towards north of the map?

aeron cant fit to attack the enemy right?

Soldier 2 moved this round, so you can move up and attack the ghoul.

Hmmm...only up to 65 of the 200 undead.

Oh, in case anyone looks closely, not all of these guys are ghouls.  There are two more advanced undead on the map (GH1 and WH1).  I'll be nice, that's a ghast and a wight.  I'm was going to toss in an entomber, but I'm not so sure.  Maria is losing a few men.

I do have something else coming to entertain you.  It should appear next round.

Well, my guards are not exactly in most favorable positions to participate considering they got only +2 fort saves and are only 2th level warriors. Also overall poor rolling in their part.

OK, next time I want to make something cool, I WON'T make a Concentrated Volley.

Yes, Glasenter, you are about 40' away from the map.  That's where the wall around the city is.

Oh, thanks God for the broken gates then.
Also, I forgot to put in my post the ghouls that are damaged. It is already fixed.

How flammable is this place?

As in, would Mitran burn the whole town down if he were to drop a 120'-long Wall of Fire on some undead?

Mostly stone and brick.  A little wood, thatch roofs, etc, but you wouldn't set the city of on fire.

Wooden cages are for PCs only. We get it :D
Where did the dog come from? If it is charging from the town, then I guess that it would hit Glasenter first since he is leading. Also, was it invisible? We didn't get a spot check.

It was hiding outside the town, in a part of the wall.  It was some distance away, but it has a good speed.

Poor Tordek. Is there any chance that we can use glue/Cure Light Wounds on him?

He took over 30 damage.  I don't think Cure light would be enough.

Mitran, Maria is trying to push north, so you might want to consider putting the wall behind the group.  Cut off some of the side streets.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:02, Sun 20 May 2012.

Yeah, kind of make 'U' shaped firewall which blocks our rears and sides but leaves front clean and open.

In reply to Lady Maria Brightmane (msg #60):

I can do a straight line down column K, or I could do a much smaller ring of fire, but my reading of the spell does not permit a U shape.

Well, I advice then K column filled with wall but Koryu ends up to other side of the wall :P. Or you can go with also L shape deal (line down from K and then cut it). But take note Siraref is in K column so best would be perhaps cut a somesort a box or L letter to cut east and south forces off from us.

Worldmaster, is there a door or window or something to get into this building?

Koryu, Aeron, and Siraref would need to pull back east first.

I don't read Wall of Fire as permitting anything other than a straight line or a circle; are you aware of a rules clarification somewhere that makes U's or L's possible?

I will allow walls to be shaped like an L or U.  Its been done in other games, but I don't see any rules.

Koryu, I'll say there is a window right now to you.  It'll take a move action to climb through, but it will provoke an attack of opportunity from everyone around you.

Mitran, don't worry about me.  I'm going inside and want to see how many undead I can kill.  Go with everyone else to the temple and pick me up tomorrow.  This might be fun, if everything goes according to plan.

Well, that changes things!  Thanks for the ruling.  This will have to wait until next round, but I'll see how many side streets I can cut off.

It looks like S3 and Lady Maria would be in the line of fire if I tried to wrap a U down K and then back up N.  Is there any way to get S3 back?
This message was last edited by the player at 20:51, Sun 20 May 2012.

Is Doggy destroyed or still undead?

Mitran, Maria moved on her initiative, so that alley is clear.  Soldiers 1 and 3 might not survive this turn, but I guess you should wait and see.  The fiery blast should help clear a path north.

Glasenter, the dog is still standing, but is badly wounded.

I have given up hope IC wise for S1 and S3, as they both are paralyzed.

I seem to have lost track of the map a bit.  What are

Tr
Ti
Wh1

What is the status of ghouls G62, G10, and G12?  Did Aeron take any of them out?

Does Mitran have access to a 5'-step that takes him out of the threat range of all hostiles?

Tr=Trina (NPC sorceress)
Ti=Titus (NPC cleric/figther archer guy)
Wh1= Wight

Solder 2 stepped forward, so you should have room.

I'm thinking that Aeron cut down the ghouls in front of him, not the ones attack you.

GM, did you take account for firewall around the group and main street for damage and harm purposes?

If you're thinkingof the firewall that Mitran's casting, he hasn't done it yet.  Mitran goes last on init, and I thought it was important this time to make sure the others moved, especially Koryu.

Then I noticed that I was in danger of provoking AOOs as I was plotting the actual course of the firewall, and trying to figure out where everyone was now.

I assume that if Mitran kills things, that will affect the damage calculations for attacks that happened after.  But I can't manage such a complicated spell  on this device. Now that the GM's clarified positioning, I'll post my Wall of Fire spell once I'm back on my
PC in a little while.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:00, Fri 01 June 2012.

can someone hit me with a restore?

I have scroll but I have preserved it for myself :P.

Aeron, in 24 hours you can make a fort save to remove the negative level.  It's a basic wight, so I think it's DC 14.

Damn it, Lion's Roar would had been damn useful now! Wight would had been dead already but despite 3 people focusing on him it still stands :P. Also pathetic rolls on ride checks to spur heavy warhorses to act. But overall we got 2 ghouls less worry about and wigth needs 5pts dmg to disappear.

Where IS Glasenter?

Glasenter is somewhere below the map.  I'd have to check how far.

Okay, I have better things to do than argue with certain players.  So, I am resigning as DM.  I have promoted other people to GM status so that they can keep the game going if they want.

Okay....this explains at least why this game suddenly turned to game I own :P.

Well, geez, that was abrupt. Anyone know the details behind this?

I don't know, but I will ask worldmaster.
In the meantime, if any of you think that talked a little too much, or made Worldmaster upset about something, or felt that something wasn't right in the game, please contact me by PM or Rmail.
People do understand each other by talking :)
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:40, Wed 06 June 2012.

OK. I have asked Worldmaster and he has been pointing me the problematic player.
I have already talked to him, and by that, I mean to lay on my bed and begin to think because I was the problematic player.
With luck, we will have him again soon.

Well, after receiving some begging, I guess I will consider coming back.  I think we have come to a solution.

Do you all want me to come back?

You know what, I'm just going to drop out.

I would welcome you back Worldmaster, I hope any arguments/problems got solved now.

i like you dming

Maria, feel free to make me owner again and I'll start things going again.

Ok, your back being owner Worldmaster.

This is just a little too quiet.

By the way, are Brightmane and me still GMs for a reason?
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:46, Thu 28 June 2012.

I wonder same. Also sorry my bad, I should post soonish but busy. Feel free skip me doing just full attack and push group to north.

I've been busy too.  I figured that everyone had just abandoned ship since no one replied to my post except Glasenter.  I was thinking about opening the game up for new players, but the semester in coming to an end, so I have various project, and I recently got married, so the wife is demanding some of my time.

Congratulations dude!

I for one am rather confused about the current tactical situation; I didn't understand how the text of the GM's last post reconciled with the map. I remember deciding to wait on a post from someone who understood what was going on better than I did.

That's because it doesn't.  I took care of everyone's actions, then said "screw it, let's speed this up, we can skip the fighting and get you to the temple or we can keep going, it's up to you."  So, right now the map is frozen at the start of the ghouls' action.  We can skip ahead or keep up the mindless slaughter.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:31, Fri 29 June 2012.

I am fine with skip up, Lady Maria broke through the northern line with leading soldiers and we managed rush to a temple and barricade ourselves in.

im ok with the skip

I'm fine with the skip; I just want to know what we're moving into.

Okay, I got a few RTJs, so some new people will be joining the game shortly.

Now I just have a few questions.  Is everyone at least lvl 7?  I know I tried to get everyone to the same level before, not sure how successful I was.

Do I just wait?

Give me a minute Glasenter, I haven't forgotten about you.  I just need to type up something for you.

Well, Lady Maria was 6th level char before level drain she became 5th level but is now back 6th level. She needs 21,000 XP to be 7th level char.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:34, Sat 14 July 2012.

Hola!
Glad to meet you all. My job will be to heal you.

Same as my job! lol.

Two healers? Very nice :). Any of you clerics? Rebuke or Turn Undead would do wonders in vs undead situations.

Mitran is 7th level.

Welcome, newcomers!  I'm your transmuter.

Divine Bard/Ardent here actually.
I focus more on moving the damage around with share pain etc. and bursts of high volume self healing.

Ezourer is starting with the Bridgeburners.  Diooum, you're hiding the temple.  The only survivor of the undead assault on the town.

I would appreciate it if someone could give us a quick catch-up on the plot.

You are marching south to the source of the undead army to make sure that there isn't a second invasion.  Right now you are resting the remains of a town that the undead passed through on their way to the village where you fought the long, bloody battle.

Sorry Mitran, that reply was to Glasenter who is still outside.

No, you don't find access to the roof.

Glasenter, your other friend has joined the game and is one of the bridgeburners.

Everyone can rest for the night and then try to break out of the temple tomorrow.

Is the ceiling of the top level made of stone?  (That is, would it seem feasible that a stone shape might be able to open an access to the roof?)

Yes, it's a stone cieling.  Stoneshape or passwall or any spell like that would allow you on to the roof.

Greetings all,

i'll be joining shortly.  Just need to convert my char sheet to the standard layout :-)

ok cool. So I just rest with the others?
Anyone in the church group still need healing?

aeron is a lvl 7

In reply to Diooum (msg # 118):

no thx

I was going to offer my apologies for not being able to log in in a long time, but I see now that the game has been rather slow.

Mitran was talking about getting up on the roof, I was wondering if he was planning on blasting the undead from up there, so I was kind of waiting to see what happens.  I know Glasenter was thinking of making his way to the church, too.  That, and I'm sucking at keeping up with RPOL.net even though finals are over.

I'm just waiting for the others to post.  I dislike posting to fast as it doesn't give others a chance to do so.

Glasenter is not thinking, he is on his way to the church :D

Getting up to the roof was Lady Maria's idea; I was trying to support her tactics.

Been busy with work/study/kids. I'll post tomorrow. :)

arent we in a building

Most of us are in the building, including Aeron.

Yep, you are inside and the Bridgeburners are outside.

X'norgun, did you forgot to post? I see that you have rolled initiative.

i did a quick check so i rolled initiative already.  Couldn't post then due to time constraints.  Sorry it took me this long!

Note that since we only rolled initiative i took my cue from Glasenter and didn't post my combat actions yet.  Are we all posting in initiative order for the combat?
This message was last edited by the player at 12:58, Tue 31 July 2012.

I just casted a spell to prepare us for the battle while we were walking to the undead.
What are the effects of the ritual you performed?

By the way, Worldmaster, do we also need to choose our place in the grid?

Yes, you can choose your starting position on the grid.  One of the bottom rows, you are coming up from the south.

No, you don't have to post in initiative order.  When I saw post, you post your action, then I will organize them in my summery post.

BTW, I will be out of the country for 9 days.  I might be able to post during that time.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:26, Wed 01 Aug 2012.

In reply to Ezourer (msg # 132):

It gives you the benefit of an endure elements spell (no more cold or heat) AND it shields you from my breath weapon (all effects of it).

It lasts for 24 hours ;-)
This message was last edited by the player at 09:15, Wed 01 Aug 2012.

Sorry folks, got my charsheet updated just now and making post.

Question; where are the doors located compared to fire wall what Glasenter created?

so the rest of us are just waiting?

The energy wall is over the door, going outside will cause you to pass through it.

for the moment, Aeron, you are waiting, unless you want to help open the door.  Lady Maria has removed the barracade (I think that is what I said before), it's another action to open the door.

That case lady Maria is not going step out if it asks to walk through wall of fire spell :P. I do have resistance but my reflex save is not much at all.

*coughs*

Does anyone dispel the firewall in front of the building which inside I and others went?

What for? The wall isn't harming any of us. Dispelling it would be a spell wasted.

We were going to come out and help fight, but we're blocked in.

I, of course, have zero moral standing to complain about such things :).

In reply to Glasenter (msg # 142):

It does harms us if we try cross it. And anyone inside the building for that matter and there is no zombies, ghouls or undead for that matter near by in open. So instead aiting several rounds can you dispel the wall?

You can dispel it without a spell, as conjurer can dispel any duration area effects with standard action.

Then don't cross it.

I can dispell the wall, but it would be a waste of PPs. I also could dispel Mitran's firewall but it too would be a waste of PPs and I prefered to wait some rounds. It is not a big deal.

I am no conjurer but I am pretty sure that no conjurer can dispel area effects as a standard action without feats, PrCs, or substitution levels, just because.

How it is waste of PP's to dispel something what you created? It will stand there doing nothing (most likely) for several rounds and pin group inside the building.

I do not bother search it now but I am 100% sure there is ruling in spellcasting section somewhere where person can dismiss continous area effects so long they have duration somekind and are not permament nor instant in category.

I agree, it would be on for several rounds. It won't be even for a minute. If I dispel it, I would waste precious PPs in dispelling something that just stand there doing nothing, and if I find another good undead doggie I will miss them terribly. And so everyone else will.

I will wait too till you bother to search the ruling you say. In the meantime, I am sure we can use our own in game time in a useful fashion.

To solve this quickly:



from this link: http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/S...on_(Spell_Descriptor)

So the question is: does the duration line end wit (D)?  The only energy wall i found googling is concentration + 1 round in duration.  Dunno which power you are using, so up to Glasenter to reply.

Aren't there windows though?  If nothing else, i'll can come on through to cast endure exposure on you all.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:57, Mon 20 Aug 2012.

The windows were barricaded, it would take same amount of time break one open as to wait firewall to end. Anyways thanks from quoting X'norgun, as I was sure about ending duration of spells pre-maturely by the caster (as it would be adventure killer if mage casts long duration spell and party cannot progress until spell runs it's course).

note that it's only dismissable if the duration mentions the (D).  And from what i can glean, that's not at all the case for all spells/powers with a long duration.  So we still need Glasenter to look whether his power is dismissable or not.

It is annoying though, but i'm assuming we're outside of combat time right now, so just stating that you can go outside once the wall is gone would work.

Yeah, still I do not understand how it is waste of PP to dispel the wall when combat is already over and dog needs to be pretty stupid to enter range of fire wall spell. Most likely dog would appear once wall is down if it's planning attack anything inside the temple or something in front of it.

So I got feeling Glasenter is just trolling around with having fire wall there and us rest unable do anything about it without crossing it and getting burned. Kind sameway how trap someone inside wall of force to protect from some attack and then leave wall of force there just keep person cubed inside.

Power points are limited.  You only have so many to spend per day.  So if the effect isn't dismissable then i do agree that it's a waste of power points to use one (or more) to dismiss the effect when there is no combat time and thus no pressing reason to do so.  Even if it's 10 rounds that it'll rage on still, that's only 1 minute.  Outside of combat, that's an amount of time which is inconsequential in all but the rarest of circumstances.

Similar circumstance would be a sorcerer using a dispel magic to dispel an energy wall he created himself, a couple of rounds before it runs out.  Given the amount of spells at his/her disposal every day, it's just a waste of a spell.  Both for the sorcerer personally and for the group he ventures with.  That's a spell they might need in an upcoming battle, the lack of which might mean the difference between grave losses and possibly defeat on the one hand and (easy) victory on the other.

And yah, no undead will enter that area unless he's bone-dead stupid (<== look at me making an undead pun there, weeee).

I checked in D&D Wiki; Energy Wall has no (d) at end of listing it's duration. So he cannot dismiss it before duration is out.

That case it is indeed waste of PP to use dispel psionics against the self-created wall instead wait it fades away.

I can't believe the discussion on this matter and even less the accusation of trolling when the same person didn't present any problems when Mitran's firewall not only cut the Bridgeburner's way into the town but he continued to concentrate on it, making me wait even longer in the outsides waiting for the attack of another giant dog.

Thank you for having explained the situation to someone who just didn't want to believe me, X'norgun

The wall would have only lasted a few rounds after the combat ended.

Now everyone can go inside and rest, regaining PP and spells.

I was not aware that your team was exposed to further attack by that decision. You guys were completely off the map, and
I thought you were engaged against a set number of opponents.  I apparenly had a very unclear picture of what was happening with you guys.  This probably made for more accurate role-playing, since Mitran probably wouldn't have known what was happening to your team either.  At any rate, my understanding of  the situation was that I was inconveniencing your crew, not endangering them, while keeping the interior team from being overwhelmed.  If I had realized that your team was being placed at risk, I would have factored that into my calculations of things like whether to concentrate.  I don't know that I would have changed my mind, because I thought the interior team was in real trouble, but I would have factored it into my thinking.

I certainly don't have any problem with your subsequent use of similar tactics.

Mitran, it is OK.  You just did the best use of your spells at hand to help the interior team and that is OK.
What I didn't expect is someone making such a fuss (and even an accusation of trolling) for, as you had pointed out, an inconvenience.

In any roleplaying game i have found people can get quite protective of their characters.  Take a deep breath, relax and realise it's just because they enjoy the game so much.  It's not meant as an attack, but as a defense ;-)

Once you did that, consider the concept of fog of war.

Now that you did both of those things, let's resume play and kick (undead) butt!  Also, and i can't stress this enough: give me cookies and shiny objects (preferrably valuable).

I have one shiny object in my sack. Perhaps we can melt it?

Sorry people. I am really busy with a lot of stuff. Like insanely busy right now.

o.o

We realized it a long way ago. Never mind, the GM is also busy.

yup, mainly waiting for the GM at this time i think

And wow, more thank two week since his last log in.

In the meantime, Diooum, can you reply Glasenter's question?

Right now you are our number one source of information.

I wasn't busy.  I had too much time on my hands, but my ISP went out of business and it took a couple weeks for the landlord to get us a new provider.  Now I'm working on reading my backlog of messages.

hurray!

Welcome again, worldmaster :)

That is a thoroughly acceptable reason for being away so long.

weclome back

So, is anyone searching for a basement?

Lady Maria is searching whole temple, including basement.

Glasenter is waiting for Diooum's answer. I think it is better to have her information to know where to begin to investigate.

I think Diooum has indicated that she is physically incapable of answering questions, but I may have misunderstood.

Diooum is unable give answers through speech or word (as I recall from species). Their only form allowed communication is whistling and making some other sounds or making hand/body gestures. So not much details I am afraid :P.

X'norgun is simply burning bodies in the temple.

That is why Glasenter asked her if she knew how to read and write. Maybe Worldmaster can just NPC her for this ocassion?

But I'm not back for long.  I started 2 part time jobs this week and I started college again full time this week.  I haven't even had time to work on writing my books (and I need to get to work on them to become a bestselling author and escape the dreary life of telemarketing).  I'm going to have to step down.  If anyone is interested in taking over DMing, I can transfer the game over.

Oh crap.

I sent a PM. Perhaps I can help with the battles and Worldmaster would take care of the storytelling.

wel that sucks, let's hope plan B works!

Yeah, otherwise we get new ST with different storyline suppose. If new one somehow does not improve from hip what we have now.

Ok, in order to make future encounters, I have to know what you are capable of. I have seen your character sheets and I found what I think is some differenece in power level, mainly in the case of faction bonus.

To make my job easier I ask you to tell me what are your faction bonus, eiter in this thread or by PM. I will eventually find out reading PMs, but I prefer to save me the trouble.

faction bonus?

For example, Aeron, you are from the Unity Empire.

Glasenter, X'norgun and Ezourer are Bridgeburners and are gestalt.
Lady Maria Brightmane's faction gives her a +2 to a stat, if I recall correctly.

With that alone I think there is some imbalance in the group, but I want to know with exactly what I am dealing with.

i honestly wish i could reply: but i can't see information on who belongs to what faction anywhere.  Nor can i find any information on what bonuses each faction brings with it.  Glasenter?

To put it in a nutshell:

Bridgeburners: Glasenter, X'norgun, Ezourer. Bonus: They are gestalt.
Brightmane's faction: Lady Maria Brightmane. Bonus: +2 to a stat.
Unity Empire: Aeron Weston, Mitran. Bonus: ????????
???? Faction: Diooum. Bonus:????

So... Just for the look of it, we have some balance issues that make the game easier for some characters o harder for others. I don't know what is the bonus of Unity Empire but now I am mentally prepared to find out that there is none.

There are three characters that are gestalt and four that are not.
Right now I am thinking in simply making everyone gestalt or making everyone normal, and then giving tactical feats as faction bonus, representing the way every faction fights and allowing those that begun as 5th level characters to have equipment as 7th level characters.

So, I will require some votes:
1) Everyone gestalt or everyone normal
2) Bonus tactical feats as faction bonus or thinking in something else.

In any case, if anyone wants to rework the characters for the new rules, I am more than willing to help in the process. Also have in mind that I would give the tactical feats, but not the prerequisite, so if an option of the tactical feat works with a power attack and the character doesn't have power attack, then the character can't use the option.

for me easy: everyone gestalt.
as for faction bonus: i like the idea of a feat to represent the way we fight.  Either that or some piece of equipment.

1: yes to all gestalt
2. i say a Bonus tactical feat

I don't think I'm going to follow this transition.  Best wishes to you all.

Yes to gestalt and to the tactical feats.

Gestalt? No wonder Lady Maria had tough time :P. I say yes for gestalt but with some limitations. I say yes also for tactical feat idea (once preqs are filled, it's got for free).

My idea for gestalt limit is; one side of gestalt is single class which you cannot multiclass nor enter to PrC's. Other side of gestalt you can multiclass and enter PrC's but with term that every picked PrC must be 'completed' before selecting new one.

Idea for this limit is avoid someone do cherry picking classes for because of low level features in one side of gestalt tree. Example;

Ranger 1/Hexblade 4/Rogue 2|Wizard 5/Abjurant Champion 2

It would give above said char, which is basically a caster who focuses to melee have evasion, favored enemy and also hexblade's dark companion and hexblade curse and mettle. Also sneak attack and lots skill points. It would increase 'power curve' quite high and it can get very silly in higher levels. So with my suggested limitations we could get solid but not broken builds like;

Figther 7|Rogue 3/Ranger 2/Assassin 2

A archery based killer above example. He took figther as locked class for sake of bonus feats and solid HP/BAB thorough 20 level career. Use another side to multiclass and take PrC's. Ranger levels for favored enemy and track feat (and free rapid shot feat). Or could go dual wield build easily with this build and finish assassin levels and then take tempest final 5 levels.

But this is just my opinion and I would not demand this limit, as I prefer use this limit as guideline in gestalt games. I at least plan follow this principle in my own char.

The moment you take Wizard and Abjurant Champion levels, you go for a high powered build. And the moment you take seven levels in fighter, you don't want to be high powered, but the other way around. I am not worried for crazy combos, just a little more equality in power between players.

I will require however that the characters don't lose access to the classes except for multiclass.
For example, it is ok that in a side of the gestalt you have a paladin level and then multiclass with rogue. It is not OK that the character is an ex monk because he became chaotic, so he can enter in a prestige class.
And of course, only one side can have a prestige class in any moment and no "multiclass" prestige classes are allowed.

Also, if any 3.0 prestige class catches your eyes, by all means PM me and I will work with you to translate it to 3.5


Also Brightmane, I will not allow LA buyoff with gestalt. The LA will take a side.

Also, what about five days to rework your characters?
I am not going to throw anything till everyone is done.

do i need to change anything about my char?

Ahaa, ok. With buy off gone I need work my charsheet then. Five days is reasonable sum.

Yep. For one, you must forget about your current faction bonus and you must read this.

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/vari...estaltCharacters.htm

PM me and I can help you.

wondering class to gestalt with

In reply to Aeron Waston (msg # 197):

Usually choice what to gestalt into is categorized two ways; cover a weakness of the class what you mostly present or go with a flavor.

Flavor being example mix two classes so it creates a interesting unique build which only works in gestalt. Covering weakness example is making a gish (a figther arcanist; a spellcaster which specializes to be thick of combat situation).

er, multiclass prestige classes are what?

You mean you can't have more then one prestige class?  That'd suck.  Some prestige classes are only 2 or 3 lvls.  If you want them for flavour, then you loose out on other classes if you limit Pr.Cl. to one.

Multiclass PrC's are like mystic theurge, eldrict discipline, eldrict theurge, ultimate magus etc. Altough they give some nice unique tricks (like eldrict theurge allowing add touch spells to eldrict blasts), but overall PrC's which combined two classes together are banned.

Altough one GM ruled you can enter such PrC so long you have the needed requirements filled in one side of the gestalt. Like;

Wizard 3/Cleric 3/Mystic Theurge 1|Figther 7

But not;

Wizard 7|Rogue 2/Cleric 3/Mystic Theurge 2

I hope this clears up, as said multiclass PrC's are banned from gestalt usually but some had ruled one side progression is allowed if all needed classes are there one side. Up to our GM decide nay or yes for that request.

oh, yah that makes sense.  I just figured that those kinds of classes require you take both sides of your gestalt class for them (in essence meaning you only take the lvl of eg. mystic theurge and nothing else).  Because let's face it: they are gestalt classes with a nifty name.

Some of them are fun indeed, arcane hierophant for example would be cool for my druid.  Not so much for the spells and whatnot, but mainly cause it allows me to switch the familiar and animal companion to an animal familiar (not that it's hugely powerfull, but it's still a fun idea :-D).

Plus blasting people through animals and plants is darn cool ability ;).

Exactly.
I have seen all the rules you quoted. I still prefer to do it this way because giving you challenges with gestalt is difficult enough.

ah, the blasting part is fun indeed!

In reply to Lesser Worldmaster (msg # 203):

That's true also. Gestalt kind of increases party's ECL by +3 at least because extra tricks what we have. Gestalt usually works best if party size is less than 5. To cover needed roles and such.

But balance factor is that we cannot use all our tricks because lack of action. Of course there is swift, immediate or extra action spells and items. But those are limited trump cards.

You can gestalt now on all our monster mobs, even regular zombies, with class levels (barbarian would be interesting approach for zombies example). Just remember zombies get double of usual HD so class levels wise they get half their HD amount classes. Also ofc some classes would not work (like sorcerer).

I need to apologize to all of you. This has been a whole damn week for me for personal matters. I wanted to finnish everything by Friday, but I was not even near of that.

no worries, till october 20th i'm very happy with a slow pace :p

Hmmm, how much followers we have in faction then? So far as I know lady Maria has now 4 soldiers with her (originally 6; one died by zombie giant and one by ghouls in earlier encounter). I used them as 1st level warriors so they kind now level up to 3th level warriors? Nice.

Exactly.

Aeron, you are lonely. Would you like to meet some people that want to join your faction?

yes please

Hello there?

Busy weekend, I will post something tonight what would count as action.

OK, this is hardly a desired initiative order for me.
X'norgun seems to be POW. Dioumm hasn't showed up for a while. Mitran is gone.
So I will NPC them for now.
In any case, if you know that you can't do much here, please know that you can delay your actions. For example, most probably, Glasenter will wait till the Bridgeburners move before he can blast.

Also, you can always talk as a free action.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:59, Tue 23 Oct 2012.

Mmmm... OK?

so right now i cant charge but can either move to set a charge or move and attack

And you can buff yourself to charge harder.

I wonder how harder he can buff considering my stance gives +7 to all dmg rolls with a charge :P. I delay so lady Maria can act asap once door breaks down.

i can myself bigger

Being bigger is always nice, reach and increased weapon dmg along with Str bonus. Also thing coming through the doors is big also so need more than one woman block the doors :P.

Feel free to post your actions then, Aeron.

Expansion

Psychometabolism



Level:

Psychic warrior 1



Display:

Olfactory



Manifesting Time:

1 standard action



Range:

Personal



Target:

You



Duration:

1 round/level (D)



Power Points:

1


This power causes instant growth, doubling your height, length, and width and multiplying your weight by 8. This increase changes your size category to the next larger one. You gain a +2 size bonus to Strength, a -2 size penalty to Dexterity (to a minimum effective Dexterity score of 1), a -1 size penalty on attack rolls, and a -1 size penalty to Armor Class due to your increased size.

If your new size is Large or larger, you have a space of at least 10 feet and a natural reach of at least 10 feet. This power doesn’t change your speed. If insufficient room is available for the desired growth, you attain the maximum possible size and can make a Strength check (using your increased Strength score) to burst any enclosures in the process. If you fail, you are constrained without harm by the materials enclosing you—you cannot crush yourself to death by increasing your size.

All your equipment, worn or carried, is similarly expanded by this power. Melee and projectile weapons deal more damage.

Other psionic or magical properties are not affected by this power. Any affected item that leaves your possession (including a projectile or thrown weapon) instantly returns to its normal size. This means that thrown weapons deal their normal damage (projectiles deal damage based on the size of the weapon that fired them). Multiple effects that increase size do not stack, which means (among other things) that you can’t use a second manifestation of this power to further expand yourself.

Augment

You can augment this power in one or more of the following ways.
1.If you spend 6 additional power points, this power increases your size by two size categories instead of one. You gain a +4 size bonus to Strength, a -4 size penalty to Dexterity (to a minimum effective Dexterity score of 1), a -2 size penalty on attack rolls, and a -2 size penalty to Armor Class due to your increased size.
2.If you spend 6 additional power points, you can manifest this power as a swift action instead of a standard action.
3.If you spend 2 additional power points, this power’s duration is 10 minutes per level rather than 1 round per level.

Aeron, you didn't say how you are going to use the augmentation of Expansion.
Also your Manifester level is 7, so you can't expend more than 7 PP in a power.

Do you want to manifest it as a Swift Action or make yourself huge (You are inside a human size church, so be ready to have some penalties to attack and movement. You can fight as a large person without any hindrances though)

then i'l just use 2 pts for

If you spend 2 additional power points, this power’s duration is 10 minutes per level rather than 1 round per level.

We'll wait a little more for Ezourer. Tomorrow I will meet him at work and will reminding him of this little game of ours.

I am here! So sorry for taking so long.

Do we have to post in initiative order? Or can I post now? The others didn't log in and I think it is all the same, given that the undead move first.

Hmmm, I think it does not matter do we post in iniative order if you do not plan make massive AoE effects which occur before someone had moved out of the way from the blast zone.

i do have question about using muilple powers together combined with feats

using the powers Psionic Lion’s Charge and Power Weapon with Deep Impact [Psionic] i'd use 6 power pts(both are swift actions and deep impact you must expend your psionic focus.

You cannot use more than 1 swift action per round. So far as I know dropping psionic focus is.....free action?

What Maria said. You can have both, but one power must be manifested in another round. Spending Psionic Focus is part of an action (The action that needs psionic focus).

Aeron, are you sure you want to charge? To do it, you must move at least 10ft, so you would occupy M16-N17. But that would make you target for an Attack of Opportunity from the giant.

Also I want to remember that the NPCs are just that, NPCs. I have no problems in allowing you to chat between them and the others. You can even order the NPCs of your faction. But I do anything that involves rolls.

dont i have reach?

Aye, if Aeron is large he has reach and so can strike from safe spot. But if using reach means he cannot move 10'ft for charge, then his movement would provoke AoO despite he is large (I assume this).

Was the comment about NPC's related to me commanding my NPC's and roll for them? Sorry :P. I commanded/rolled for them in last battle their attack rolls and dmg rolls (and ride checks).

Altough question; Maria succeed recruit one apprentice blacksmith in town where she first time fought undead horde and faced the wight. So where is the apprentice blacksmith? Did he die during the journey?

What Maria said is the problem. Mind you, you can take a 5ft step and then unleash a full attack on the giant, it is just that you won't have the charge bonuses.
Also, I just forgot about the expert, Maria. I will make him go up the stairs from the basement now.

Ok, I also hope expert also gains levels. Anyways for now Maria's soldiers are 3th level warriors and their feat choices atm are; Weapon Focus (longsword), Point Blank Shot and True Believer (Zarus). I plan retrain them later once they reach to 6th level (mostly make them qualify for Pious Templar and Awesome Smite). Could train them focus on greatsword and power attack even now if would find greatswords for them (they got breastplate and it's good solid protection choice; next one being full plate).

i'l take the Aoo

Your turn, Ezourer.

Done. So now we can post in whatever order, not caring about initiative?

Nop, we will try to pay attention to the initiative.
Also, people, I am terrible sorry for being so late. Expect a post from me between today and tomorrow.

First of all: the round is not finished!
Major situation here. Aeron is going to die.
Ezourer, you wanted to be the healbot, BE THE HEALBOT.

On a side note, I realize that this enemies are... too powerful for you. It is just that I saw the previous enemies were defeated without much difficulty, that I am sure you craved for a real challenge.

The earlier foes were not balanced for gestalt while half party was gestalted.

Now you may have jumped the curve too upward in scale considering amount of damage done by giant :P. As the blow what you did halved lady Maria's HP and she falls down easily if giant does not roll two nat 1 and minimal dmg with one hit. Even if she would use self-healing strike.

Ok, I see what is happening.
I will do this: I will use Close Wounds to save Aeron from the second blow. I will do it, because if I save him from the first blow, Maria will be dead. I am a combat medic, so Aeron will be affected by a sanctuary spell that will hopefully keep the ghouls at bay. I will heal him more in my turn.

Is it new round? Also if I bull rush the giant zombie, would it get hurt by firewall and would crush some undead outside from collission?

I know, crazy but a worth a short very least to get the heavy gun out from the temple. Only what I would miss is +2 charge bonus but I can compensate by using brute gauntlet as swift action.

Or if giant has like 30-40 Str score then it's not worth even try dice luck against it. Or how hurt the giant is now? Could 8d6+2d6+Str+PA down it?

Yep, it is.
To make a bullrush, you must make an opposite strength check. Are you sure you will be able to do it? Also, Glasenter's firewall is emanates fire to the other side and even when it prevents anyone enter the church, it also is more than 5ft apart from the giant.

Well, with gauntlets buff on she has +7 Str mod, but giant has both superior Str score and size advantage though. But if he has only say +9 or so with size bonus then I could try.

You can try anytime you want. I won't give any information about the giant.

Okay, there is chance for big fail with bull rush but chance for epic win by finishing off the giant.....so going for full swing at him.

I... I just can't understand... what you are trying to do. The giant deals more damage than what I can heal with my most powerful spell.

My point of view.
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/comb...nCombat.htm#withdraw

Use it. And then I will cast a Wall of Fire around the swarms and the giant. The wall is opaque, so they can't charge.

Lesser Worldmaster, what is the name of the giant? TiPiKey?

Well, do firewall then, altough at least one my followers will die there but better than we rest die.

Anyways I did standard attack and then used move action to move out (armband elusive action makes one my actions not provoke AoO, this case my movement does not provoke it).

Tipikey the great for you.

Also...





Tipiket is a giant and has reach.

Well, if he is zombie he cannot AoO me. As zombies get no AoO from anything what I remember. But if he is freaking vampire or some other inteligent undead we are screwed :P.

Anyways keep my action, I use the armband avoid AoO from taking from first departed square (so no ghoul AoO vs me). And then hope my strike downed the giant or that giant is a zombie and so does not get AoO from reach. Otherwise then pray dice gods to give giant lousy nat 1 (as no other roll would miss Lady Maria).

Swarms as note do not get AoO from withdrawing or foes moving through their squares, they do just dmg if foe starts turn in swarm (or when swarm moves in to enemy's square).

He felt pain... I doubt he is undead.

In any case, we are fucked. I think that our best bet is to hit him with everything we got then.

It would be bettter if you make a whole full attack action.

Divine Surge does more dmg than my full attack with full PA boost. Not to mention chance one attacks misses.

OK then. Let's see what Aeron is going to do. It is his turn after all.

since im at 4hp i think withdraw

Attack it.
The giant has been damaged. Maria will damage it even further. If you can hit it twice, I am sure we will kill it. And if that is not the case, I will burn him.

Besides you are next to the giant. If you withdraw, as Lesser Worldmaster has showed us, you will bypass the first AoO, not the second. The giant has reach.

Yup, so better hit the giant hard and then try move out. As my armband negates ghoul's AoO but not giant's. So I would hit the giant and move away. Of course ghouls get bite but they may actually miss you where giant would not.

OK, Ezourer, your turn.

Just friendly reminder; Maria's stance gives +7 to all connecting charge attacks dmg. Plus she provides inspiring courage bonus which gives +1 to hit and dmg (with all attacks). So bridgeburner hit ghoul for additional +8 more dmg.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:22, Sat 15 Dec 2012.

Right. Ghoul 4 is finished.

It is 3:05 PM here, but I know you can be scattered around the Globe. Merry Christmas and the best wishes from your friendly Lesser Worldmaster!

Belate Merry Christmas to everyone!
Just to be clear, the giant is going to cross Glasenter firewall? And I am right to think that you are just putting him at reach of Aeron's hand so he can make the AoO? Or he will be able to continue fighting the giant?

Oh, right, Glasenter's firewall...
OK, if Aeron strikes very hard, then I doubt he will survive the Energy Wall.
And yes, as soon as Aeron makes the AoO, the giant will dissapear from the grid.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:29, Fri 28 Dec 2012.

08:20, Today: Aeron Waston rolled 15 using 2d6+7 with rolls of 5,3. not including dmg buff from maria.
 08:17, Today: Aeron Waston rolled 19 using 1d20+13. +1 valorous greatsword AOO.

Just note inspire courage continues 5 rounds since performer gets knocked out, but other buffs go away :P.

Your Lesser Worldmaster wishes a Happy New Year to you all!

Happy New Year everyone!

Happy new year.

Great news, guys. Worldmaster is in the town!

Lesser Worldmaster is asking me to take over again.  I'm not sure I'm for it, but I guess I can try once more.

What's happened in the last few months?

To sum it up: I almost make a total party kill.

We entered into the town and then into the church. There we stayed for a while before we were attacked again by the entire undead population of the town.

First were the swarms. Five swarms (Ghouls with the swarmshifter template) presented some challenges for the party. Thing is that the great numbers inside the church almost made it impossible to fight them with spells or alchemists fire. They couldn't hurt them without hurting each other.

Ezourer was the only one to successfully deal with them and then just because he can turn undead.

And then the giant. A stone giant with certain template that almost killed them all.

Right now we are waiting for Aeron's post, to finnish the ghouls. Maria is in the negative numbers.

On another level, we changed our characters. We are all gestalt to make sure that no faction is more powerful than the other. We are diferentiating ourselves by the choice of a tactical feat that defines our style of fighting.

Aye, above sums it up nicely. The tactical feat in question comes for free to PC's and NPC's alike if they meet requirements. In Lady Maria's case to get benefit of feat to the NPC's they need enter PrC which gives them smite.

Aeron, as a full attack action you can make a 2nd attack with a -5 penalty.

Welcome back, Worldmaster.
Please save us!

I will let Lesser Worldmaster finish the encounter and award treasure and xp before I take back over.

Thank you, Worldmaster! :D

Ok, I would like to discuss in public a problem that Ezourer found and told me in person.

As all of you could see, I made Dioumm heal Maria. Thing is that Ezourer didn't want to heal her.

A few facts:
Lady Maria Brightmane is a Paladin of Tiranny of Zarus, the "True Human God". For those of you that don't know, Zarus is a like those evil racial gods that want to conquer the world for their beloved race and drive everyone to extinction or under human feet.

The Bridgeburners are an army with people of different races. Glasenter is human. Ezourer is a shifter. X'norgun was a Killoren. Gurzan was a dwarf. The one that is dead is a goblin. In a true Band of Brothers fashion, they don't care what races they are, they all care that they are Bridgeburners.

Obviously, both points of view are not very adaptable to each other.
I just can't ask Maria "Hey, Maria, can you be a little nicer to everyone that is not human?. They would really like if it you treat them like an equal.".
I also can't ask Ezourer "Hey, Ezourer, can you heal someone who thinks that you are not worthy of a cure minor wounds spell? She is dying, you know."

I trust that the anyone won't search for a fight IC. A group can hardly be the greatest ally of the other, but at least, both are fighting against the same side.

For the sake of simplicity, I was thinking in taking apart Mitran and Dioumm. X'norgun would banish to be just one of the Bridgeburners. The game should focus in the PCs and many NPCs of equal level take a little protagonism away from them.

The PCs are:
Aeron Weston
Ezourer
Glasenter
Lady Maria Brightmane

We all can cast divine spells. However, Glasenter only prepares a Cure spell or two at most, enough to save his life or another one's, Aeron would better cast some buffing spells, and Maria, even when she is a Pious Templar, casts spells as a Paladin of Tyranny, and it doesn't have any cure spell till 2nd level.
The dedicated healer is Ezourer and is a pain in the ass that he has a perfect reason to not heal one of the PCs.

Maria, can you make one of the Zarusian soldiers an adept?.
That way you can have some some healing. It is not the best result but at least it is something.

Yes, my main issue is if all my efforts to cure Maria... well, if they would be met by another effort to help me when the time arises.

Because seriously, in character I have few reasons to help someone whose main religious commandment is to dominate or kill any other race.

Well, so far all my followers had been warriors so far so it would be odd if one was adept all along (wearing and using armor and gear which he has no profiency at all). Better if I had one extra NPC classed follower who is adept (3th or 4th level) who had stayed out from fights as his or her main job is as a healer.

Maria came with 6 warriors originally but we could say she came in to city with 6 warriors and 1 adept. In fights Maria can self-heal via maneuvers but we were in critical point where I had to choose between healing and dying or hope I hit the giant hard enough fell it. So I do see point of the healing issue.

Also I am not going say Ezourer having point in regards refusing heal Maria. But so far she had been most aggressive and influential in several battles and turned them from grim fights to victory so far. She faced off against the wight commander and she also leads and inspires both her men and Bridgeburners (her inspire courage affects only allies and she counted bridgeburners in general as allies). She also fought against giant which fell Aeron and without her Aeron would had died (and she nearly died also). So she has already contributed a lot for Bridgeburners by just simply figthing alongside with them.

So, even if lady Maria is a 'bitch' towards non-humans but fact could be that without her some fights would not had been won (and so it would be for sake survival to heal her; in zombie apocalypse you cannot ditch allies, even ones which you do not personally like). Plus it would give Ezourer all rights to bitch back to lady Maria and rub it on her face for her needing healing from a lesser 'non-human'. It would irk lady Maria as Ezourer would be right (and she cannot deny it nor strike Ezourer doing so) and Zarus is hard critic towards human subjects (he is god of human perfection and so if one his favored champions would show weakness then it should give fuel and resolve purge said weakness when it is genuine).

Also there are some curious points in regards Zarus followers and non-humans but it would be long wall of text. But shortly said Zarus followers 'dominance' over non-humans does not egual to cruelty (they kill only non-humans who rebel against human order/authority).

Anyways shortly to sum it up; is it okay for Maria having adept (instead converting one her warriors into adept as it would not make sense) and I do plan in future when I get chance to get feat to get leadership feat and then 'discover' a cohort who is cleric of Zarus (so she would not need depend others healing her or boosting her).

Yes, I have no problem in giving Maria a 3rd level adept that follows her. I don't think it will unbalance things at all. It even can have the Healing Domain as per the Eberron rules, even when Zarus doesn't have it.

That said, I would greatly prefer the two of you hug and kiss each other before I pass the flag to Worldmaster.

As a GM I think that I stated my position on Leadership in this game. I will not allow it in a game where we, except Aeron, already have people in command. I don't know how Worldmaster will handle the Leadership feat in the future, but my advice to him is to ban it. Of course, he will have the last word once he takes the command of the game.

Also, I celebrate the proposed arrangement by Maria.

So can we agree that:
Maria will be able to bitch all she wants about having to give bonuses to non humans.
Ezourer will be able to bitch all he wants about having to heal Zarusians.
Aeron and Glasenter can laugh and roll their eyes seeing the sexual tension between the two of you raise each day?

I appreciate the bonus. Sadly I don't charge, and I don't fight mostly with weapons.
And once Lesser Worldmaster is Glasenter again, we will have bonus to attack rolls thanks to their knowledge checks. To all of the PCs and NPCs. Also, I turn undead, even those who attack Zarusian soldiers.
You fought along the Bridgeburners because the other option was to be killed. It is just like us. Bridgeburners fight with you, because the dudes that sent them to kill you all backstabbed them.

What bugs me is what you have just said:


If you command me, I won't obbey just because you are human. At best, I will take it as a suggerence. Cruelty is not even regarded. You give me cruelty, I can give you cruelty too. I want respect for my character.

Also, this gives me goosebumps:

You negated the possibility of a fair trade to a non-human. Do I have a chance of being given a Cure X wounds, When I am in the negative numbers? I really don't think so.

As said the Zarus faith takes it granted that non-humans obey humans, they are considered lesser race and so fit only as servants for their betters. But they can appreciate good servant same way how noble would appreciate farmers who are productive under his care and can show appreciation in form of celebration or reward good servant.

It's matter of eguality, however most races do not recognize it and they consider it as honey worded slavery but for Zarusians they see it differently. They are not 'nazis' as nazis sought to cleanse unpure humans, while Zarusians do not seek purge world from non-human races but merely place them to proper spot and kill those who cannot and refuse to adapt to 'old' world order.

Also lady Maria is bitchy to non-humans who haven't recognize her authority nor greatness of Zarus (basically not part of her warband). She may arm bunch of orcs with full plate if they just serve her as her servants and are just submissive towards human reign and recognize human authority.

What comes to healing, she may be bitchy but she is not idiot zealot either. She will cure if your life hangs in balance and no one else can heal you. As she knows survival at this point is important task for herself and for humanity overall. So she may perform healing in form as showing 'kindness of Zarus to less fortunate races'. But if life hangs in balance between her true follower (member of her band) or you, she likely heals first the band follower before you.

Anyways as subject to followers and such; I agree leadership feat can create broken situation and create custom made cohort which can be too perfect match for char and the goals. So how sounds this;

Each leader of a faction (and each faction has only 1 leader), gets number of followers egual to leadership score as normal. However level 1 followers can be 1/2 level of their leader (rounded down). 2th level followers are 1/2 level of their leader + 1 (and 3th are same formula but with +2 and so on).

However after 10th level number of followers is multiplied by 10. After 20th it's multiplied by 100. All followers are NPC classes but they can enter PrC's if they qualify to enter them. Also followers must come from somewhere and may take a task or quest to find new followers (replace dead ones or when pool of followers grow).

I have already read how Zarus followers think that nonhuman need human guidance and human masters. That is what Maria believes and it is OK. Ezourer of course believes that is bullshit and will act accordingly. Sooner or later, he will lead a part of the Bridgeburners in a mission (Maybe not now, because Glasenter will come). And some of the people under his charge will be human. And they will order them, and expect to be obbeyed.

In other words, I will be not in my proper spot and I will refuse to adapt to your world order. Of course, I will fulfill the duty of my proper spot, fully in peace with the Bridgeburner's world order.

And unless the GM will separate us, you will see it. Do I have to be ready for that moment?

Because even if you have good luck in finding orcs that are submissive towards human reign and recognize human authority, Ezourer will not expect such a gift and may enslave prisioners against their will. And will not care if they are human or other shifters.

I accept my second place if a member of your army is dying. Of course, Ezourer will have the same criteria if a member of the Bridgeburners is dying.


All in all, I thought you would already had an adept. I am sure the Bridgeburners have one or two too.

Well, I had not thought about having adept until now. So this is late patching. Anyways Lady Maria would not directly interfere with Bridgeburner business and in regards how they handle things (she does not lead them nor part of their faction structure). But in peaceful downtimes she may hold her preaching sessions and even if she does not plan get followers from Bridgeburners but she would try make them believe on same things what she does.

She pressures less on racial slavery teachings of Zarus and starts with simply about human potential and that humans carry a divine blood and tell about heroic achievements of Zarus who was a mortal before ascending to godhood.

But some of this talk would be nice to do IC, I am nothing against philosophical discussion between PC's and lady Maria would not strike down from your questioning her faith (to her she considers both humans and non-humans not educated on the matter).

I will speak as Glasenter here.
Maria, the Bridgeburner's Captain, the one we are trying to avenge, the one we fanatically followed and the one whose rank we shout as if he is still with us, was a Mongrelfolk.
In other words, Bridgeburners are people who were saved and leaded to victory numerous times by a member of a race that, quite frankly, doesn't need an encounter with a follower of Zarus to meet disdain and persecution. He was ugly and his scars made him even uglier. You can imagine the effect of your words over a human that has been saved by the orc next to him several times and has returned the favour. And that in fact, grew up at his side.

For example, Glasenter is well educated in the ways of numerous religions, with max ranks to prove it. And because of the words that have been said in this OOC discussion, I will opt to not discuss on the matter IC. An IC discussion between Maria and Ezourer about religion beliefs could become... messy.

Over the leadership feat, my position has not moved. Not only it is a feat that can add unbalance in the game, but it also represents a problem to the GM. The Bridgeburners were like 35, the Zarusian Soldiers were like 6 and the expert Maria convinced to join her. And I had to use them AND the enemies. And because they were so much, the party couldn't possibly hurt the swarms without hurting the friendly NPCs. The main problem was not the giant. You could kill him easily, if he was alone. The real problem was the swarms. And soon Aeron will meet his troops too.
Also, I still think that NPCs troops should be used by the GMs, even when they follow the PC's orders.



After some thinking, I believe I know where this is going and I will try to settle this in this fashion.

Maria is entitled to not consider an ally to the non-human Bridgeburners or all the Bridgeburner for giving bonus at her discretion.
Ezourer is entitled to not heal those who he feels don't respect him.
Every faction will have a new gestalt NPC. Moreover, the level of the NPCs will be half your character level rounded up. So, you are 7th level, they are 4th level.

And Aeron, I didn't forget about you, buddy. You will get someone to command soon.

Gestalt NPC? With class levels or NPC levels? Anyways understood, Bridgeburners would not be fan of the Zarus religion. I just asked about the leadership as there is 35 Bridgeburners (and no idea how you started with such numbers, I would had done same but was told I got only like 12 people total) and I got just under 10 people, so would wish a chance to recruit more people somepoint.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:06, Thu 10 Jan 2013.

There were multiple players in the Bridgeburners when they started, so there was that.  And to be honest, this much later, I can't remember what rules I was using to give followers.  All I remember was that the factions got special ones after successful encounters.

One Gestalt NPC with NPC class levels. And I am only doing it so Maria can have 2nd level healing spells.

I had the feeling that the number of the Bridgeburners was an issue. They were originally 70. After all, it was an entire platoon with the order to be part of a massive invasion force.

As I said, managing lots of people is too much effort. The Bridgeburners should fade into the background, once fighting starts, so every faction can have the same number of NPCs. I am thinking in that every faction should have eight "relevant" NPCs. A number that would make you feel as commanding people and at the same time, a manageable number of NPCs.

The "relevant" NPCs I'm guessing are the similar to the ones that I was awarding for encounters, ie. the named NPCs with character classes like Strings and Hedge.  Also, since we are talking about this, I do notice an oversight on my end.  Maria should have got a named NPC after the siege in the village.

Oh? If I was meant to have named NPC after siege, could it be possible the said NPC is 3th level cleric of Zarus? So I have healer then? Anyways fine if our followers are capped at eight relevant NPC's per faction (not including any PC's in said faction).

I remember that they had only NPC classes.

And as "Relevant" I mean NPCs that would fight alongside the PCs in the battlegrid. For example, Glasenter wants to find the sargeant to fight her for the leadership of the other part of the Platoon and reunite the Bridgeburners. Glasenter would have 70 people then. Only 8 would be in the encounter grid, the others would fight in the background. They would have the same levels, but less protagonism.
After all, I named various Bridgeburners even at the beggining of the campaign.

Ahaa, so this case significant NPC would be the adept which was worked in PM I guess. Anyways Lady Maria needs get chance to recruit more people as she got only effectively 5 people (or now 4 if I count casualties from this fight right) figthing alongside with her. Expert which she recruited works mostly repair and upkeep gear (and craft occassion). Adept is for healing but can handle figthing (or avoid via sanctuary spell).

Sanctuary is not in the Adept spell list.

I think I didn't kill anyone this encounter. If a Zarusian soldier doesn't appear in the map, most likely it is a mistake. However, expect people being sick. The ghoul fever is pretty nasty.

If I recall correctly, two of the six people died in the past. Then the expert joined the team, making it 7 people, 5 living. An adept would join soon, making it 8 people, 6 living.

The Bridgeburners are 35 people, 34 living. The goblin will be resurrected ASAP and for that, Ezourer is likely to consume large quatities of gold.

So, don't consider your 8 people as something easily to replace. Those who are still with you may not find it funny. Also, bear in mind that you will have to equip the followers. An expert with craft skills is always a blessing for any army.

I agree with what Lesser Worldmaster has said. Making every faction take care of their own will prevent issues. Besides, power to the people!

Okay, folks, I got one for you.  What's a good (ie. ubber broken) lvl 12 skill monkey build.  I wouldn't mind it having some spell casting and melee abilities.

Straight Factotum.
More skill monkey than the rogue, can heal to a lesser degree, can cast some spells as spell-like abilities, can trip using his intelligence...

My first idea was try to get a mechwarrior into a dnd game.  Still iffy on how to convert that.

Factotum is possible.  I was thinking maybe a sorcerer with a dip into ninja.  I can hide and sneak attack you with a cone of cold!

Maybe with aparatus of the crab?

Okay, I've been working on some thoughts about where to go.  I have just one question, how is this encounter going?

Stalled, but I guess it may ending very soon as giant ran off and swarms may be turned to run away.

Yep, was wondering how to give you the best followers I could make. Soon I will be able to present them to you.

I have two ideas for you.  Would you rather face 1000 dragons or 100,000 lower level monsters?  Or both?

It depends on what dragons and what other monsters... and the reward if we survive.

Rewards would be tons of xp and your continued survival.

The dragons would be a mixture of all of them and probably led by Tiamat and Ashardalon.  The monsters would be a combination of various low and mid-level monsters with a few high level commanders.  I'm thinking maybe orcs, ogres, and the like.

I thought this was a heavy undead campaign, ala Resident Evil?

I had a few different things running in the beginning.  This was the only story line that survived, so I have kept it going.  I had always planned on the dragon attack, but the new book I'm reading has given me some other ideas.

I presume the dragons would not all be elders or old dragons (a juvenile red dragon is CR 10 example and easy kill with big party/followers and gestalt rules combined). My vote would go for dragons. I am kind tired of the overwhelming swarms so instead couple bit stronger foes faced regularly would be fun (altough idea of swarm of wyrmlings could be fun).

Anyways would want good epic conclusion to undead campaign before moving to dragons (and have time build our cities/factions).

Don't worry, we still have a lich to fight and a few encounters before that.

Lesser Worldmaster: Well, as said Zarus beliefs did not cover sub-humans but definately gnome, elf, orc, dwarf all are non-humans. According Zarus teachings the other races may be strong one trait but human originally was suppreme to all of them.

In sense that Zarus beliefs is not racist in that humans must be white, blond and tall. They can be black, dark haired and short. Maenads were humans until psionics evolved them. There is no texts or notes about how to deal with subhuman species (or humans who were evolved over time).

Or would others think subhumans count as unpure humans? Or 'lesser humans' in sense they are above non-humans but not egual with pure humans?

Or more shortly; I tried mean that all humanoids are not treated as 'human'. I meant with subhuman species simply this; pure human ancestors and have no non-human blood mixing into genes.

So species who are not elf, dwarf etc but who have no pure human ancestors are not treated as human (example; catfolk) but those who had human ancestors but got genes changed by some factor (azurins and maenads example), they count human or lesser humans. At least I think so. But wait other GM judge and players judge is this logic valid in religious sense.

Maria, Zarus already has a policy over non-humans. I quote Races of Destiny: "His priests teach that other races are inferior, in need of human guidance - and human masters."
Zarus is a racist god, not in the sense that someone can be considered racist in real life, but in the fantasy world of D&D. He separates the human race apart from other races, and "encourage conquest and slavery."
Your previous point was entirely based in looks. And an elf is more similar to humans than a Buomman. Aside the fact the a buomman is a humanoid native to the Astral Plane and thus entirely disconnected to the human race. Also, Zarus treats all other species as sub-humans. Sub means below.

Yes, there can be variant humans. However, such exceptions not only are rare, but pointed out.
Azurins are not a different race from humans. They are humans touched by Incarnum. They don't breed true and they even have a bonus feat.
An entirely different thing are Maenads who even believe that they were "a race of bestial creatures who were able to contain their mad frenzy only after overthrowing their own deity." There is little in common between them.

Ahaa, I thought Buomman were humans who moved to live in astral plane to gain somekind enligthenment and overtime they evolved into Buomman's. If they are completely sepparated race from humans then buommans would get similar treatment as other non-humans get in Zarus faction.

Mmm... When I joined I was under the impression that this was a heavily undead campaign, and built my character accordingly. If you change it, can I tweak my character so I have more generalized options when fighting?

Also, do I have to make some heal checks? I am going to cure all the Bridgeburners I can and attend the newcomers too.

It is still going to have a lot of undead.  You'll probably level up a time or two before I do any sort of twist.

I'll let Lesser Worldmaster rule on the heal checks.

Still, Ezourer is right in one thing. The variant ranger he chose is too specialized against undead, to the point that it is no good with anyone else. Aeron has it too. I would be willing to let them change.

Either way, that's still months off, so I'll continue as things are and worry about it then.

Hello, all! Diving in as your plucky new warmage-fighter!

Annnnnddd with that I pass the flag to Worldmaster. I put everyone half to level 8 because I almost killed you all, dudes. Also, I forgot that noone has ranks in Appraise. Sorry.

Also, give a warm welcome to Aritrien, our Bridgeburner Warmage! Best of luck here, pal!

WAT.
Where did anyone say something about an armory?
The gear of your followers have been with them since they exited the previous town.

Ah, sorry. I thought I would need IC reason why my followers suddenly pop to have bucklers and +1 greatswords :P.

Welcome Aritrien!

Okay everyone, get ready, I'll be moving things forward tomorrow.

Anyone going to do anything?

I don't quite know what to do....

I noticed in XP thread I am listed with 17,300 XP, but in my charsheet it's listed as 25,500 XP (based on former sum in XP thread).

Hmm...you had been lower than the rest because of you bought off the LA, but it looks like your character sheet doesn't reflect that.

You were able to rest during the night, so you got your spells back and everything.  You want to rest another day in the town?
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:02, Tue 12 Feb 2013.

But still it would not create over 7,000 XP difference as aasimars have only +1 LA. Also earlier ST told me include LA in one side of the gestalt tree (which I did not mind).

We started at 7th level and then I give enough XP to be half the way to level 8. That is a total 24500 XP if I am not mistaken.

Also, yes, LA buyout is tricky, if not directly uncompatible, with gestalt.

I don't see how it's tricky.  You pay x amount of xp and there is no more level adjustment.  Then you're whatever level you would be without that amount of xp.  My concern with gestalt is does level adjustment only apply to one side or to both.

Maria, part of the difference is probably from xp that was awarded in the past few months.  The table was last updated in august.  Of course, someone just fixed it.

That is what makes it tricky. If the LA is only to one side, then buying it off costs twice as much as the benefit. If the LA is on both sides, then practically you won't like to have any LA to begin with, because it is twice as much as heavy for the player.


Yep, I did it. Better to have a fresh start.

I'll be offline all day on Wednesday, will be able to catch up Thursday.

Aeron? Anything to say?

Where is there to hide nearby? Anyplace where Aritrien can get elevation on the enemy?

I really don't know, but I guess a intersection of two streets can be a decent place to hide. I just made the sum:
Lots of enemies + they don't see us + we see them = Ambush opportunity

Question for the DM, here.

I know, but given that I gave the instruction to hide, at least I could imagine some places to do it.

Okay, cool :-)

The ground is uneven, there are some rises.  You can get about 10' above the enemy.

Yeah, the wights got a 7 on their spot check.  They don't even notice the dinosaur hiding behind the small tree with it's huge tail sticking out.

(Chuckle)

How close together are the wights?

A map would be great.

We are in difficult terrain, or at least there is difficult terrain between us and the wights. That means that neither group can charge, right?

Also, can you put us exactly in the map? So we know what options do we have.

I posted myself on the map, making some assumptions. If my assumption is incorrect let me know.

Aritrien will move to get a clear shot to deliver the fireball he just used.

so the only way to enage to either use magic or arrows?

You can move through the difficult terrain and then attack.  Or move around it.

I didn't put you on the map, I was letting you tell me where you were hiding, though I was too lazy to explain it.

Add +7 to Aeron's dmg as he again forgot my stance bonus.

FYI, I will be offline from later today (4pm Eastern) until sometime Sunday.

Sorry that it took me so long to post, dudes. I was on vacations. :)

I think that Aritrien's attack can very much decide the encounter. I will wait for Worldmaster's word before posting my round.

Heh, indeed it would. Waiting same and very nice that Maria lined up herself and soldiers into single file rank to form a line and then wights moved into line as well to engage her group. Then from side blasted with lightning and then remaining wights just 5'ft step away to be obliterated with melee :P.

I love it when a plan comes together :-)

I think it's safe to say that your plan killed the wights.  Even if they made their saves, some of them would still have died.

Nice!

Anyone here a fan of Bleach, Naruto, Inuyasha, Saiyuki, Case Closed, Gantz, or Yu Yu Hakusho?  I'm working on a story that includes all of the above series and about twenty more.  After adding Hikaru No Go, Witch Hunter Robin, Sailor Moon, Claymore, Hellsing, Dragon Ball Z, and Chrono Crusade, I kind of lost count the number of series I've included.  I've titled the story "Every Anime Combined".  I've been working on it on and off for the last five years.  Last week I finally decided to share it with the internet.  Feel free to check it out at http://www.fanfiction.net/s/91...Every-Anime-Combined

The only thing I recognize is Dragon Ball Z. But I will check it out.

Only Dragon Ball Z?  You need to get online more.  Naruto and Bleach are two of the current most popular series right now and both better than DBZ in my opinion.  Bleach is the only one of them I actually like.

Let's see, where did I leave off in my list...Battle Angel Alita: Last Order, Revolutionary Girl Utena, Cross, Samurai Deeper Kyo...There is a small reference to Ai Yori Aoshi.

I will be adding a new chapter every week.

Wow, you're not doing very well on your hide and move silently checks.  This might be a problem.  For you.

Yay, two nat 1 for hide while having -4 penalty to begin with :P. We are definately asking for trouble.

I am going to be on a family trip Wednesday-Tuesday coming up (April 24-30). I will have my iPad and a MiFi with me, but I will not be posting more than once per day.

I'm working on a support character for a new tabletop campaign.  I'm trying to be the ultimate utility caster.  Buffer, blaster, and backup healer.  I'm thinking sorcerer with the feat that lets you add a cleric domain to your spells known so I can have the healing domain.  Then a 1 level dip into favored soul for armor proficiency.  And later go mystic theurge.  The feat will let me have a 2nd level divine spell to cast to meet the requirements. Thoughts/suggestions?

What level is your character?

starting out at lvl 3.

How are you going to be a MT with only a level dip of Favored Soul?
Also, are you talking about the Arcane Disciple feat? It doesn't say anything about granting spells higher than you can normally cast.

Yes, arcane disciple.  It adds the spells from the chosen domain to your class list.  That would give me the second level divine spell for MT.

Those spells would be arcane.

I'm sure that I can argue that cure moderate wounds is a divine spell, especially since it requires wisdom to cast it.

Nop, the point of arcane discipline is not to give you access to divine spells but convert divine spells into arcane spells. With healing domain you can be indeed universal 'mystic' caster as a sorcerer so long you carefully choose your spells. But multiclassing and entering mystic theurge will set you back in CL compared any other caster in group.

Not to mention unable to become archmage which would give kick ass arcane reach feature which would allow do healing spells from 30'ft or 60'ft range without reach metamagic feat.

Do we plan IC or in this thread?