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20:54, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

[GENERAL] Community Chat.

Posted by The Dungeon MasterFor group 0
Tom_Clancy's_Ghost_Recon
player, 133 posts
Tue 22 Feb 2022
at 22:20
  • msg #985

Re: [GENERAL] Community Chat

Hi there.

From my experience, there are a lot more 5e games than anything else. There are still a few pathfinder 1e games floating around looking for players but they are going the way of the dinosaurs, since most of the time they are games in progress looking for replacements or hang around DMs like me who refuse to move forward.

3.5 was out before I really made the switch from AD&D and I still don't use half the mechanics of Pathfinder. Combat Maneuvers? Why? Use the superior 3.5 method. :/

Truth be told, what I have found is that the system of play doesn't matter nearly as much as GM affinity and aptitude. Prague here does a lot of stuff that is quite good. I'd suggest starting with him.
praguepride
player, 367 posts
He's proud
of Prague
Tue 22 Feb 2022
at 23:04
  • msg #986

Re: [GENERAL] Community Chat

I would say D&D 5e, 3.5, and Pathfinder 1e are some of the most popular fantasy games on RPoL.

2nd edition games are slowly increasing in popularity but the boards here tend to be slower to adapt newer editions, often taking many years before you start seeing the balance shift.

In my opinion 2nd edition, even with its faults, is vastly superior to the hodge podge sticthwork that became Pathfinder 1e.

I'm not as big of a fan of the updated setting (making every AP canon means the continent seems to get threatened by a globe ending threat every month) but overall the system is a vast improvement.

That being said there are parts of 2e that people aren't happy about and there are plenty of valid criticisms.

Overall though I think the 3 big reasons to upgrade from 1st ed to 2nd ed are:

1) Organization. By creating standardized tags and labels to things it eliminates a lot of work on the DMing side. Over a decade later some critical rulings in Pathfinder are still hidden in obscure web forums and difficult to parse FAQs. Every time someone casts "detect magic" it means almost 30 minutes of looking up stuff between books to figure out just what the hell I'm supposed to tell people.

2) 3 actions per turn. I cannot stress how much this makes combat more interesting. Even if you are just a "boring" straight combatant there is room there to at least explore maneuvers or combat positioning.

3) Gets rid of D&D garbage. So many of Pathfinder 1e rules were needlessly complicated or sometimes going completely unspoken because it was built half off of D&D 3.5. Starting from scratch (even if it has a lot of similarities to the improvements made for 5e) means that you get a system that feels more like its own thing, rather than a fusion of two different games smashed together.
Mandacaru
player, 2 posts
Tue 22 Feb 2022
at 23:24
  • msg #987

Re: [GENERAL] Community Chat

Thanks for that. Your numbers 2 and 3 ring try, especially the three actions. I do really like that.

I have a swashbuckler in an RPG.Net game and that stuff (3 actions)  is fun. I guess my only criticism in that regard is that Electric Arc is so good that I run out of ways to describe it :-) I also still have to work out how a Summoner can possibly function effectively. Mysteries of life.

I can imagine that even with folk liking the system it can take time to change. I also note that people recruiting often seem to have very long-running games so why change those? Kudos to them.

As for serial world-threatening events, that gave me a laugh. I guess it's like a load of fantasy series strung end to end.

Anyway, if a 2e game comes up and I get an opportunity to jump in, I'll be very happy. Over on RPG.Net, there's a little group of us playing two games so as to learn the ropes. I'd say everyone likes it a fair bit.
praguepride
player, 368 posts
He's proud
of Prague
Sat 5 Mar 2022
at 23:53
  • msg #988

Re: [GENERAL] Community Chat

I have a couple games but as you said they're all older games so I'm less likely to want a brand new character and would prefer someone to pick up an existing party member.

All I can say is patience is a virtue on rPoL. I've been playing on RPOL almost 20 years... maybe more...

There is a lot to love but patience is an absolute must. It takes a long time to find a good game and games move at a glacier pace compared to tabletop.

BUUUUT that does give you room to really dive into your characters and flex your creativity and writing abilities. My tabletop friends have all noted that my characters are so much more interesting and engaging now and I attribute it all to my experience here.
Mandacaru
player, 3 posts
Sun 6 Mar 2022
at 06:32
  • msg #989

Re: [GENERAL] Community Chat

Oh absolutely. My experience is not dissimilar, some twenty-odd years of PBP, just more over on RPG.Net than here. My FTF gaming has been extremely sparse, mostly due to moving around the world so much.

Speed (or lack thereof) of games trading off with richness of characters is also a common topic of discussion over there.
Hunter
player, 54 posts
Sat 2 Apr 2022
at 06:07
  • msg #990

Re: [GENERAL] Community Chat

So...as sometimes happens, I ran down the rabbit hole of trying to figure out how to "summon" a weapon to hand.   I looked at the Called weapon trait, however that adds +1 to the weapon enchantment.  And then I stumbled over this little gem...

Bookplate of Recall
https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic...bookplate-of-recall/

If you can apply it to a book, can you use it for a weapon?   I checked the SRD, and while most books weigh in the 1-3 lb range...there's one that's 10 lbs.

So....thoughts?
Buck.Davidson
player, 28 posts
Sat 2 Apr 2022
at 10:49
  • msg #991

Re: [GENERAL] Community Chat

To preface, when there is already a premade magic item effect that produces a specific effect custom magic items aren't supposed to circumvent the cost, in much the same way that Bracers of Armor +4 cost 16,000 GP and there is no custom magic item that gives a constant CL 1 Mage Armor effect that costs 2,000 GP.

I'd more base the item off of a Blinkback Belt; both Returning and Called are based on level 5 spells and provide a +1 bonus.  So, maybe Blinkback Gloves (5000 GP for a pair), that can bind to up to 1 two-handed, 2 one-handed, or 4 light melee weapons, and call one weapon to the wearer's empty hand(s) as a swift action.

Needless to say, this is a big maybe on the GM's temperament.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:49, Sat 02 Apr 2022.
Hunter
player, 55 posts
Sat 2 Apr 2022
at 23:55
  • msg #992

Re: [GENERAL] Community Chat

Here's the thing: Called has a limited range (100 feet) and the Return Item spell can only teleport an item up to One pound.   I ran across at least one thread on Paizo on the same topic and there wasn't really a resolution suggested.

The Blinkback Belt also has a limited range (thrown).  I was thinking more along the lines of what the Instant Summons spell does (same plane), but instant Summons is enormously expensive (forget about adding it as an enchantment).
Jobe00
player, 51 posts
Role-playing
Game Mechanic
Sun 3 Apr 2022
at 07:37
  • msg #993

Re: [GENERAL] Community Chat

Here's and item from the 2E AD&D Complete Fighter's Handbook. The Bracelet of Charms mentioned is from the same book.

Rings of Readiness (GP Value: 10,000): This magical item consists of two plain iron rings, one suitable to be worn on a finger and one larger, some 2" in diameter.
The larger ring is to be placed on some item. It can be sewn into or bolted onto a set of armor; it can be placed upon the pommel of a weapon (in which case it shrinks until it fits snugly); it can be attached to any Item of personal gear weighing less than 100 lbs.
When the larger ring Is attached to an object, and the smaller ring Is worn by a character, the character needs only to utter the magical word inscribed on the inside of the smaller ring. When he does, if the other ring Is within 10 miles, it will instantaneously transport that object to the character.
If the item attached to the other ring Is a weapon, it will appear in his hand. If the Item Is a
suit of armor, It appears on the character; if he Is al ready wearing a suit of armor, it appears
next to him. If the item is something else, it appears in a fashion dictated by the DM; a crown will appear on the character's head, while a sewing machine would appear next to him for instance.
If the item attached to the larger ring is more than 10 miles away, nothing happens.
The use of the rings must be announced before In initiative in the combat turn. Use of the rings takes no time, The character calls out the magic word before initiative; then, later in the turn, when his actions come up, the item in question appears.
If a character finds the smaller ring without the larger one, then he can summon whatever object the larger one Is attached to, even if it is not his. These rings recognize no single owner. An interesting quest in a campaign might be for a character to find the smaller of a set of rings and
have to wander to find the larger ring and summon it and its object to him: remember, it only works within 10 miles of the summoner.
The magic only works if the Item attached to the larger ring is inanimate. Living things are not transported.
Once summoned these objects may not be sent back. This Is a one-way trip. The rings may be used any number of times: they do not wear out.
Many heroes use this magical Item so that they never lose their weapons. If the hero finds his sword disarmed In combat. he can call it to his hand on the next round. without wasting the lime to go get It. Some con artists use it to run a scam: They'll secretly attach the larger ring to some great item of treasure, sell It to a dealer, ride out of town with their money and then summon the treasure back. This is a good tactic until the vengeful dealers catch up with them.
This magical item may be used by characters of any class.
Rings of readiness cannot be used on the same weapon as a bracelet of charms.
praguepride
player, 369 posts
He's proud
of Prague
Wed 20 Apr 2022
at 04:53
  • msg #994

Re: [GENERAL] Community Chat

Gloves of Storing - 10,000gp that lets you store a single item of up to 20 lbs and recall it as a free action (snap of the fingers).

I would say that is a good price point for what you want to do but keep in mind that this SHOULD be expensive because being able to easily recall your weapons basically eliminates the disarmed combat maneuver so should come with an expensive cost.

This isn't something that a low level player should get to do, basically get a free "Quick Draw" and "Immune to Disarm" bonus for less than 5 figures.

So first consider what are you trying to do: Are you trying to quickly ready a weapon (i.e. like the quickdraw feat) or is it that if your weapon is disarmed you can "summon" it back to your hand.

Either way if this is attached to a weapon it should come at CONSIDERABLE more expense than the bookplate because of the mechanics involved.

Outside of some really bizarre archetypes you aren't using a book in combat. Instead it is a way for a specific class (prepared spellcasters) to not get 100% hosed when their spellbook is taken away. Unlike most other classes, it is very difficult for a spellcaster to work around the old "you've been robbed! or You've been captured" so the bookplate was made as a cheap way for a wizard to be able to "rearm".

I would not treat that as a blueprint for a weapon. It has nothing to do with the weight or practicality of mounting a plate on a sword and 100% the idea that 1/day it gives you a free Quickdraw or "ignore disarm" ability.
Ventrikel
player, 100 posts
Swedish dude.
Sun 18 Dec 2022
at 08:17
  • msg #995

Re: [GENERAL] Community Chat

A brief story from my current campaign (on roll20, not on here) cuz shit just got frustrating :D

So I play Iron Gods, and I’ve devised a parallel plot where the tiefling elemental sorcerer PC’s heritage isn’t just a choice of attributes and bloodline powers but where they descend from an extremely powerful Div producing a line of half-humans with elemental powers to further his goals of achieving godhood. This Div uses “extensive” divination ritual magic to divine the future and nudge it in such ways that he can get what he wants. What he wants will happen in the end of the AP, and should provide him with an important enough situation that he can take very real steps towards becoming a god.

Now, the PCs have just gone through the “lair” of a big bad who is also a descendant of this Div, they’ve encountered books and journals and notes and have uncovered more and more of this backstory. They have for sure begun to realize that someone is attempting to control their lives and steer them towards a goal. What I don’t want here is for them to feel that their choice doesn’t matter, or maybe their best choice could be to just gtfo and not do the AP. What they don’t know is that the mighty Div, sitting on his throne in Abaddon, has no real idea about what technology is about. The Div doesn’t understand the enemies, tools and technologies the PCs have encountered, are chasing, and have access too. He thinks it’s all a form of magic, and that the APs actual Big Bad is a form of demon. The PCs will learn this as they now encounter a portal to Abaddon, they walk through it and they draw closer to the Div without knowing it. Finally they stand outside his door, they scout through the door with magic gloves, and then spend 20+ minutes IRL discussing pre-casting buffs, resting, overcoming DR, strategies, etc. I just want them to get it over with because when they open the door, the Div will speak to them - not fight them. He has a mission for them, and he will have patience with them asking some questions as they encounter him - before he sends them back to the material plane to go on regardless if they wish to or not. Now the PCs are level 10 and they go up against an enemy they’ll encounter 8 levels away, so much later that I have barely begun designing the stat block.
As they enter his chamber, he speaks to them, and they reply only in brief words. They advance, as he keeps talking. Finally they want to cross the bridge to his throne. Damn I should’ve had a wall of force here, but rather, the Div dismisses them from the plane. DC27 Will, roll twice take the worst result. “It’s all by the rules yet I get them out of there as if I had just decided it on my own.” Cleric channels before that, he’s a cleric of desna and admittedly I have put him in there as a plot by Desna to counter this fate-altering scheme of the Div so what happens is pretty thematic. The channel gives them roll twice take the better result, cuz of a feat. Aight, it’s still DC27 Will. Druid and cleric makes it. At level 10. What are the odds.
So long story short the giant druid now has a curse of a very high DC impairing him, the actual
Big Bad has had to teleport away from the party (he doesn’t want to kill his tools), and the party has gained none of the information they should have from the encounter.

I can’t even bring myself to penalize their experience gain from the encounter because it’s not their fault that I designed the encounter to be handled in only one way. And just minutes after this encounter, as we’re about to wrap up the session, I hear “so the best thing we can do in this AP is just to not play it?”
Oh how I just pile up more work for myself xD
Hunter
player, 56 posts
Sun 18 Dec 2022
at 11:17
  • msg #996

Re: [GENERAL] Community Chat

In reply to Ventrikel (msg # 995):

The players will, invariably, do something different than you expect.  Instead of thinking of penalizing them; you should consider rewarding them in some way for turning the story a different direction than you expected.

And think about it for a bit....I'm sure you can figure out ways to advance the plot because of this.
Ventrikel
player, 101 posts
Swedish dude.
Sun 18 Dec 2022
at 11:41
  • msg #997

Re: [GENERAL] Community Chat

Yeah, you’re right, and I’ve got ideas going forward :) I just have to sit down and figure out how to drop important knowledge on them. The assessment “GM’s Mercy” also came out when the big bad didn’t strike them down, but that wasn’t his objective. It’s a bit hard to reward going up in a fight against the BBEG when they cross paths way too early. But they all leveled up, including the one who was behind in experience, so I don’t think they perceived that they were penalized. Well, tbf, the big reward was to force the BBEG to go defensive, and to have him teleport out - the story in itself was the reward.
Ventrikel
player, 102 posts
Swedish dude.
Sun 18 Dec 2022
at 11:44
  • msg #998

Re: [GENERAL] Community Chat

On the topic of going forward. I might want to gift one of my players a mirror that can be used in some way to communicate with Desna, or maybe use the power of Desna. My ideas for a magical item or artifact that could be inspiration for this?
bottleface
player, 60 posts
Sun 18 Dec 2022
at 12:17
  • msg #999

Re: [GENERAL] Community Chat

No plot survives contact with the players. They will always do something you don't expect.

That said, I figure your Div guy wouldn't be that miffed. yeah it set his plans back a little but he's been prepping for ths for how long? He has access to all kinds of divinitory things? This is nothing and he'll fix this no problem. Maybe next time he sends someone in his place. An intermediary that the party doesn't know is working for the Div or something. With the resources he has, he can afford a setback.
Ventrikel
player, 103 posts
Swedish dude.
Sun 18 Dec 2022
at 13:17
  • msg #1000

Re: [GENERAL] Community Chat

In reply to bottleface (msg # 999):

You’re right, I think he’s not :) The issue is mostly my worries for player motivation, and that I’m a bit sad they missed the chance to discuss with the BBEG :)
bottleface
player, 61 posts
Sun 18 Dec 2022
at 14:35
  • msg #1001

Re: [GENERAL] Community Chat

Ventrikel:
In reply to bottleface (msg # 999):

You’re right, I think he’s not :) The issue is mostly my worries for player motivation, and that I’m a bit sad they missed the chance to discuss with the BBEG :)


I get it. Sometimes I have exposition that I just want to unleash and then they walk right by the opportunity and it's tough. You'll find a way to get it in there, it just might not be how you expect it.
Ventrikel
player, 104 posts
Swedish dude.
Mon 19 Dec 2022
at 06:28
  • msg #1002

Re: [GENERAL] Community Chat

Haha yeah, that’s it. And this particular campaign I make sure to provide as a sandbox even though it’s books 1-6 as usual, so I’ve already got loose plans for 2-3 ways to get this in, so that I don’t have to force the players in one direction but could rather follow the flow :)
Hunter
player, 57 posts
Mon 19 Dec 2022
at 09:47
  • msg #1003

Re: [GENERAL] Community Chat

In reply to Ventrikel (msg # 998):

If you really want to get eccentric, why not have Desna herself appear in a character's dream?
Ventrikel
player, 105 posts
Swedish dude.
Mon 19 Dec 2022
at 20:26
  • msg #1004

Re: [GENERAL] Community Chat

In reply to Hunter (msg # 1003):

Haha yeah I like the idea of divine intervention but at the same time, it feels like a HUGE commitment. Probably rather have a god deliver a message through one of their trusted followers, and I have those :)
Ventrikel
player, 106 posts
Swedish dude.
Mon 19 Dec 2022
at 20:36
  • msg #1005

Re: [GENERAL] Community Chat

On a different note.

One of the player characters has survived all through the campaign so far. He comes from a very rare race of which he has met noone else. He believes he went here through a portal from a completely different place, but in the end of the campaign he will happen to find his kin, his family, his tribe living in captivity and realize that he too comes from there. I just cut out the map for this area out of book 6 and it nearly brought me to tears thinking about closing up that story. But shiiiet that's gonna be tough.

Ideas for ways to frame a story of a long lost child rediscovering his home? How do I avoid making it anticlimactic? I don't know if I can roleplay a ma and pa finding their 20+ years lost son changed and superheroic, and I don't know if he could either. Maybe I should try. Maybe they should be dead, maybe the tribe has a very short lifespan for predator reasons and nearly noone lives to remember him, they're almost two generations on since then? Maybe that would just leave him feeling nothing though. Well, realizing his life story is a lie and he was actually born in captivity will do things to him. Maybe he starts having flashbacks, people he will recognize as he gets closer to this area, and then finds the only one left alive is tortured and left to die high up on a sharp pole?

It's a moment he's been waiting for all campaign. He will realize that things were never as he thought. There is no portal. He has been used. His whole tribe which he never knew, has been used. He's been waiting to come home, and he comes to a very different home. But I think I need to establish the "home" feeling cuz otherwise he'll just feel that it's "different", and I want him to feel both.
Zag24
player, 46 posts
Tue 20 Dec 2022
at 00:30
  • msg #1006

Re: [GENERAL] Community Chat

Just when it seems his last chance to get home escapes from him, a creature floats down in a bubble and says, "You always had the power to go home.  Just click your heels together and say, 'There's no place like home.' three times."
Ventrikel
player, 107 posts
Swedish dude.
Tue 20 Dec 2022
at 09:17
  • msg #1007

Re: [GENERAL] Community Chat

In reply to Zag24 (msg # 1006):

Haha sounds perfect xD
Buck.Davidson
player, 29 posts
Tue 20 Dec 2022
at 09:56
  • msg #1008

Re: [GENERAL] Community Chat

Or....

He is special.  He is unique.  He was handcrafted by a diety to serve a single purpose, for which his entire existence is finally justified.

'Pass me the salt.'
LoreGuard
player, 37 posts
Tue 20 Dec 2022
at 22:20
  • msg #1009

Re: [GENERAL] Community Chat

Or his race was handcrafted by his deity, to eventually produce him, to of course finally serve a single purpose... well done, myself... ohhh... what was I doing before I noticed that thing I thought of worked out just like I thought!
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