A new OOC for a reboot of a game that was made over ten years ago.

Hello everyone, your local combat chaplain here!

Greetings, I am your team leader, Captain Sylvax. Leader is in my name, but I encourage constructive advise. I am not going to be your traditional Half-Dragon, my template has been weakened quite a bit to help make him more on level with you guys stat wise. I look forward to helping to protect the Empire from the enemies that lay on our ever expanding border.

From what I can tell, we are a strike team sent in to clear out infestations, discover why colonies go dark, and investigate political problems that could end up being bigger than a minor incident. To help in this, I am a Marshal / Bard (Paladin) / Fighter, though if you have any suggestions for Marshal feats I am open to them. My job is to make sure you guys get all of the help that I can provide. I think I need to look at Dragon Magic and see if anything is useful and ask the DM if it is allowed.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:57, Sat 25 Apr 2020.

I find it interestingly hard to find pictures for chaplain SciFi and SciFi priest without seeing space marine chaplains. XD

Greetings everyone!

I'll be your muscle for the duration.

Orc, and proud of it!
This message was last edited by the player at 00:41, Sun 26 Apr 2020.

When you think space marine, you think Warhammer 40k I guess.

Hi, everyone. I'll be maintaining everyone's gear and sometimes shooting people in the back when they're not looking.

Looks like we have a very interesting and colorful SpecOps team. :)

I think I've finished my sheet.

Now we paint with ALL the colors!

I primarily work in red.

Still debating between Rogue (Fighter feat variant), Paladin, Bard. Dragon Shaman, or Sorcerer… Choices...choices. Thinking of going Imperial Legionnaire from Player Companion, don't quite know yet.

How do, I'll be your canary in the coal mine. I mean scout.

I just have the equipment to go.

If I might offer my two coppers, if your goal is to be the most captainy captain who ever captained, might I suggest working towards Legendary Leader or Outcast Champion. In which case Marshal 5 / Dragon Shaman 5 // Fighter 5 right now seems like a really good idea to me. Good flavor for your race, good buffing ability, and you won't have to worry about running out of your primary abilities.



Hello person I'm probably going to have to run and save all the time! :D

Hey Sharog. I'll try to remove the silencers if I need help (I alas could not stretch my funds to a really big machine gun for that scenario).

My current setup is Scout 1/Ranger 4//Spellthief 2/Wizard 3///Fighter 5. Distracting Attack means I should be able to flank for people without lowering myself to melee and potentially more than one person at once, otherwise it's all about the shooting. Astoundingly, despite the Fighter levels and bonus feats I am still tight on feats but I have the majority of what I need.

On a side note anyone know if I am missing something about the spell datapads? Namely that they must be enforcing usage of them over spellbooks at gunpoint.

I can sort of see what the game designers were thinking. With no material cost for scribing they made the cost per page of space cost 100. Same cost as the raw materials. The problem is the rules also;
Make the basic "book" a datapad at a cost of 300 rather than 15
Remove the ability to get your spells per level actually free, since you need pages in the pad available
Make every spell take 2 pages per level, though cantrips remain 1

So a starting wizard, putting cantrips aside because there are 30+ cantrips available and I don't want to think about that, begins with 3 + Int modifier spells at level 1. This takes (assuming this game's generation rules a 16 Int) 6 level 1 spells requiring storage space totaling 1500 cost wise.
As they level, assuming the free spells are always taken from the highest available level, the cost of the datapad with the auto learned spells becomes;
1900
2700
3500
4700
5900

In contrast the book at this point has cost 15gp and filled 28 of its 100 pages. With the saved money the wizard living in the dark ages has bought themselves an Int boosting item, several additional spells and a smug seat from which to laugh.

Pertinent stuff starts on page 136 of the Starfarers Handbook. Just seems weird.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not changing to sorcerer. But it is odd.

I would rule that the costs would follow double the normal costs from a traditional spellbook. The base cost of the datapad remains the same, and remember, if you ever loose it, the Imperial Society of Arcane Magic keeps a record of your spells known, so it is as simple as buying a new datapad and downloading them again. Membership dues are what keep them in business after all. Meanwhile, I would rule a Mage of the Arcane Order (if I remember correctly from Complete Arcane) would be an ideal prestige class for a Wizard to draw from their Cyber Spell Pool.

Except they don't do that for free.

Backups are one of two ways.

A basic backup. Same cost again minus the 300 for the datapad since you could do it to a data chip based off the wording. EDIT - no it's not, vague in one bit but not another. Needsa new data pad too.

Or you can use the Imperial Society. You can store your spellware software on the Imperial Society’s online database if you’re a dues-paying member. This costs 50 cr per page per year. The Imperial Society guarantees the integrity and security of its members’ spell data. Either option is very fast and follows the same procedure as sharing spells.

Dues paying members pay 1000 per caster level per year. So for this example the dues paying member backing up their spellbook costs 7800 a year.

Bear in mind this is all still free spells. Every additional spell level will set them back a further 200 (pad), 400 (pad + backup) or 300 (pad + Society backup).
This message was last edited by the player at 20:24, Mon 27 Apr 2020.

I adore how imperial supply has a spy sat for 75k low key.

Alex is in a playable state

I had my sheet done yesterday but when i hit the post button I got 404 page not found and lost it all. I'll try to get it done AGAIN tomorrow.

Will discuss Spellware with you in PM Lars.

Hoba, its been happening to me too everyday. Try posting it in segments in the character sheet area.

I'm okay with the rules GM. It's just such a huge change I wanted to make sure I had not missed anything.

Been having the same thing Hoba. Ended up sticking to an external sheet before trying to move it to Rpol

Yeah, I've been getting that too.

For that reason, and many others, I always make and save whatever sheet I am working on in Notepad or Word first.

I think most people are about done, adding a Sixth character for some interesting fun. I would like to start in a day or two, so if you guys want to wrap up your characters, now is the time.

My current idea for mission one is going to place you on site, about to assault the BBEG's location.

As a recent (as in a hundred years or so) outlands colony goes dark, a distress beacon is set off informing Legion command that there is a problem. As your ship, the Argent Claw, is closest to  the planet in question, you were sent to investigate the situation. Upon landing, the major settlement of the planet was overrun by demonic creatures, mostly dretches and similarly minor abyssal creatures. You did encounter a Vrock, but using your advanced technology you were able to put the creature down, its body evaporating like the others you defeated to return to the Abyss. It is soon obvious where the demons are coming from as you reach the Imperial Headquarters for the planet, a massive gaping hole into the Abyss reveals the mastermind behind this planar incursion. You were able to save a few poor souls before they were brought to be sacrificed to the demons, but much of the city was a warzone with few survivors. The courtyard where the hole is located is enclosed by crumbling infrastructure. A single massive double door is the only protection you have before the mastermind behind this invasion and the hordes of the Abyss at his command.

Sounds interesting?
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 10:02, Wed 29 Apr 2020.

We have our own spaceship?



Yes, I am interested!!!


Oh, and welcome to the team, Ssvear!

To war we ride.

Well, you have to be able to do covert missions somehow! Since you are a military unit, you are answerable to Imperial accountants as to the use of your Starcaster, their teleportation don't come cheap after all. It is a retrofitted Explorer Class ship, with a few upgrades to make it more military oriented.

Sounds good GM.

If we are a SpecOps unit, wouldn't we be assigned a Kelenbaum Dropship? (Imperial Supply, page 100 & 101)

It says: "Elite commando units frequently use the Kelenbaum dropship for lightning strikes against special targets. The 181st Rapid Strike Brigade maintains a fleet of these craft for swift deployment from their posts around the galaxy. With its starcaster capability, the dropship can transport special units from planetary garrisons or bases away from their objective without ferrying infantry down from easily spotted troop carriers in orbit."

Granted, I've never played in this setting before, and I am going off of what I've read so far, so I could be wrong...

In the end the ship is a ship. Some day we may have a planet destroyer as our space boat.

Working on the last of my spells and then equipment next, then I gotta choose a familiar.

Spells and equipment done

Holding off on familiar till next level

Brief visual description and character history is up.

I am a (fighter 5)/(dragonfire adept 5)/(sorcerer 5)

I am a soul mech the size of a average cat. (astheticly shaped like a dragon)
Most of my spells are rays.

I can't rebuild ships but I can repair broken parts and battle damage. Additionally to those of the construct or soul mech persuasion, I can heal machine and object.

Due to a significant resistance to fire damages I can do orbital insertion without fear of damage from re-entry.

Also I can fly so that is cool, so I will be your arcane magic close air support.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:32, Thu 30 Apr 2020.

I will have to look it over, but sounds right. The Explorer is an all around vehicle, so that's what I was originally thinking. I will change it after reading the description if it works better.

To warrrrr!

as long as it has a proper dual door airlock, i am good.

In reply to Ssvear (msg # 32):

Do you have magnified vision, and a good stealth skill? Because drone warfare is so useful...

Kelenbaum Dropship is a go, go, go!

I am working with Ssvear on his integrated equipment. Since he is a Tiny sized Soulmech, his Stealth skill is pretty good.

Yay! I contributed!

my ability to hide and move silently are above average, and my size is a large contributor to that.

sadly with a spot of 13 and the rules for spot checks...specifically the part where dc increases by 1 for every 10 ft...i can reliably spot 0-330 ft range.

I am looking into a few things to extend that...but being essential personal is cutting into my game time. So I am sorry if I don't respond as fast as some.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:09, Fri 01 May 2020.

http://dragonstarsrd.freehostia.com

Yes I am opticaly enhanced and environmentally adapted...I do t have much wealth left but we'll worth the investment.


The gm will likely want to check my math and verify I did everything correctly...but yeah
This message was last edited by the player at 18:35, Fri 01 May 2020.

You using armour Ssvear? If not I can probably spare a slot every day to load you up with 5 hours of Mage Armour just before a job.

No I don't wear armor...but I can wear up to light, armed mage alternative class features of fighter, by sacrifice of proficiency in med and heavy armor I can ignore the spell failure of light armor.

But no I am currently not wearing armor.

In that case I'll pick it up. Once you get some armour that works for you I'll stop preparing it.

I am grateful for the offer, but with (ac 23/tac 23/ffac 21) it may not be as necessary as one would assume for a sorc/DFA

Need to look up the ship. may hijack a room for a sacristy.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 20:09, Fri 01 May 2020.

Up to you. I've got the spell anyway.

Going over everyone's character sheets, once I am done I will post the introduction to the first adventure.

*Eager dance

Alex looks pretty good, just list your prepared spells for the day.

Captain Sylvax, you need to finish your equipment and go over your skills, but otherwise not too bad.

Hoba...your missing everything.

Lars, not too bad. (You need to edit your spell list for Spell Compendium spells to be removed, not a book I own).

Ssvear, looks good.

Sharog, you are good to go it looks like.

So, one character missing, Three need to edit/finish their characters. Maybe we can get this started tomorrow!

If I show him how I linked my spells back to open source material would that be an acceptable solution to the problem.

My spell list is an automated set of links that trace back to the full text of the spells

Will sort now DM. Think they all have versions in earlier books so I'll refer to them.

Done

done

I'm always good. It's a curse. ;)

I'm so happy the game has started!

I made some of my damage as potential, since I'm not sure how far away the demons are exactly.

Don't forget to roll damage and list it Ssvear, otherwise I am not going to know what you are doing.

To note, I am here, there just isnt much pew pew I can send out. Lots of short range stuff.

Actually, of any of you, your weapon deals full damage being sonic type against most creatures.

I think that creatures that have immunity to damages instead should gain Resistance (similar to 5th edition) to technical device damage, not 100% sure. I was kind of thinking of dividing damage into just two types, Kinetic and Energy like they do in Starfinder. Ideas, ideas.

I believe when it comes to base damage, ammo costs and overcoming DR energy weapons are already superior. Reducing resistances vs those still further could be unbalancing.

That said my comment assumes D&D 3.5 is balanced. Cue the laugh track.

Oh there are things that need to be heavily tweaked with 3.5, but yes it is balanced; and by balanced I mean each side has equal access to the ridiculous levels of power.

The problem that I see people have with balance is unfortunately there are so many rules listed in so many places that no one person knows/follows them all.

3.5 is not a rules light system, and when people treat it as rules light a character becomes able to do a thing that should not be possible. that exploitation of ignored rules then creates the case for why the rule they are ignoring should exist. The "lack of a rule" is then seen by many as a fault in the system for not having a rule to protect against the thing for which a rule already exists.

now within the rules there is exploits,...
...like how you can sometimes deal 5-10x the "falling damage" you take, ...as "falling object damage" to someone or something, just because of weight and fall speed of an object.
...or...how the crafting system can allow 3 gold pieces to be crafted with 1 gold piece worth of raw materiel (no special feats, literally ALL PHB reference materiel) and it can be done by a lvl 1 commoner who put 1 skill point in (craft-general).

but yes I do believe the immunity should be changed to a resistance.
(energy) immunity should become ... (energy) resistance {10xCR}...per round

Oh I know my damage types work. Hell, I could point my finger gun and say bang and shoot them effectively. But its all close range. I'll reread once I get home.

I'd argue about it being equal but dislike those ones so am happy not to. That said I think you mean equal between PC and NPC which is true.

The GP one is "balanced" because at a certain point the time taken to craft the GP you're making less than you would otherwise. Of course that changes with castings/items of Fabricate.

I'm not too fussed either way about it. It means Evocation gets a bit of a buff which it always needs. But the energy weapons already are better than the non-energy ones on most numbers and being able to ignore all DR due to being energy.

Sorry! got sidetracked with buying a house. X.X

Congratulations on buying a house!

In reply to Sharog (msg # 64):

Yeee, a friend of the family is hyper-motivated to sell it. Effectively doubling my money with a tiny bit of touch up. and it has a workshop I shall now call "The Fabratory"

Did I hit the winged demon with my earlier attack?

Sorry that I didn't mention that, yes you did, however some of the damage was mitigated by its DR. That is why it is trying to avoid your shots as much as possible.

In the process of buying a home. Promise I've not gone rogue.

Sorry about the disapperence, end of semester is filled with papers in the humanities, and this week is finals. I hope to post after Wednesday. I also hope that everyone is staying as safe as you can here in the States, living in LA county myself it is...interesting times, reminds me of the early 90's, but way more chill.

You want an initiative rollup on this bit GM or should we begin violence?

Violence is always a good thing...I mean something to be avoided...I mean..aww hell, make your rolls everyone!

Well since no-one else is shouting up;

16 Initiative

With the way summer is progressing, and my medical condition becoming worse, I am taking a step back from my games. My apologies for the delay in responses. I cannot say if I will have the time or energy to begin again in the future, but I can wish you all the best in your gaming endeavors.

Take care GM

Ask long as the gm has no issue with me poaching players.

I would like to extend a welcome you all to come to my world.

Send me a pm if you are interested.

---

4/20/2021
 still here
This message was last edited by the player at 23:15, Tue 20 Apr 2021.

No problem, and best wishes.

I am stopping in to wish the gm good health...and a little happy to read too much into the fact that the game has not been deleted.

hopeful for a possible reboot.