General chat here

Hello!  Getting started with a Hyperborean I'm intending to try and squeeze some swordsmanship and sorcery (both) into.  Perhaps some Summoning or Mesmerism brand Sorcery.  Though I am brand new to the Hero System, so if anyone has any recommendations and/or spots anything that could be better/mistakes on my sheet at any time ... I'm quite open to learning from more experienced players.

If anyone is open to a character tie-in from a would-be raider/mercenary/sorcerer type, toss me a PM!

Have a close read of the Character Creation Guidelines.  No Sorcery to start.  Divination skill is about as close as you can get.  The price for access to these abilities are, quite possibly, steep.

You may, however, have studied it.  Acheron was a sorcerous kingdom that predates the Hyborian age, being familiar with it's language would be helpful to study its writings.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:36, Mon 25 Mar 2019.

 Greetings,

 I am glad to be here. Amalric is a Nemedian Knight. I am new to the hero system.

Welcome aboard Amalric,

Oh what a tangled web we weave...

Asa new to Hero person, you likely do not have Hero Designer, so any questions you have, do you have the rules?, I am happy to answer.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:42, Mon 25 Mar 2019.

 I am already lost
 That plus I hate character building. Oh well.

Hehe, that's not uncommon for folk who are new to Hero System.  You're in luck, pretty sure several of our players like making characters.

Tell you what, why don't you post over in the character creation thread.  List a few features, ideas, whatever you have for your character and we can help you put something together.

Many thanks

I'm going to shoot to have the combat map ready and get post to start the battle out by this weekend (might be Sunday).

Going to try to make the map on Roll20 and then post it here so everyone can see their positions and that of their opponents.  We'll see how that goes...

Is anyone waiting on anything from me?

Just checking.

I've been thinking about whether we should all try to tie ourselves together as a group now, before starting, or stick with individual connections etc.

Well if nothing else you've all suffered side-by-side in the pit for a while now.  You may have stood up to other slaves, covered each other when the slave master or his slave drivers have been quick to deliver the whip or club.  Even if you haven't spoken none of you are completely strangers.

Course, couple of you may have arrived here together.  A few of you might be political prisoners; on the wrong side of a noble's wrath.  And others caught by authorities and sentenced justly.  The pit takes all kinds and cares little why.

Awesome! I keep all my maps on that site. The VTT tools are fine enough for most games, and they are easy to manage. I will have to look for a token for Sarajen. =)

Combat Map is up in Red Pit thread and game is ready to begin.

If you have not done so please update your character sheet under your Character Details.

Could I sell you on Oratory + PRE Attack?

Put some rolls and a call to action up by Ludvik.  If any situational/RP modifiers apply he might have passed the Oratory (otherwise fails by one).  Lots of potential modifiers to the PRE attack as well.

Let us hope that our fellow prisoners don't hang back and watch us get beat down and put back in chains.  Or worse.  8P

Absolutely

Uhm...

Amalric, one tweak, you're currently unarmed.  If you wish to use one of the manacles as an improvised weapon you'll need to take them from the slave driver holding the basket.  Fortunately, you have a deadly Brawling Maneuver called Kidney Blow that will do Killing Damage to your target.  I'm going to use that in the example here:

You must be adjacent to a target to be able to attack them in Hand-to-Hand.  You can share a Hex with a corpse.

To Attack roll: 11+5-2-3d6 to see if you roll over the guard's DCV
- that's 11 + your OCV of 5 - 2 OCV for the Kidney Blow maneuver on your character sheet - 3d6 random chance

Then roll for Location: 3d6
- consult the Location table in the References thread to see where you hit (link to a message in this game)

Finally roll: 1d6+1 to see how much damage you hit the slaver for (normally you'd do 1d6+1/2d6 but your STR is down by 3)
- Damage is divided into BODY & STUN
- Stun is just the total on all die modified by location hit
- Body for a killing attack is also the total rolled on all die.  For a normal attack it would be counted as 0 for every 1, 1 for every 2-5, 2 for every 6, total all that up

NOTE: Slavers are wearing thick leather on their chest, backs, a girdle and skirt.  It's meager armor, reducing damage by 2 PD in locations 9-14

If you want to start, we'll help your read the numbers.

Ok, I edited the post to reflect the new attack

 With the danger of sounding like an idiot, how does one get  11+5-2-3d6 into the RPOL dice bot?

Yeah, you can simplify, I just wanted to try to illustrate how I was calculating your attack roll.

In the Manual section at the top right, you can put: 14-3d6, 3d6, 1d6+1

That will roll your attack, hit location and damage.  We'll interpret results based on whether you hit or not and where.

Alternatively you can used the section to the left already set to 3d6 and just repeatedly roll it 3 times.  I just think the Manual way is faster and clearer for the Attack roll.  No extra calculations necessary.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:49, Sun 31 Mar 2019.

If you look at the die roller screen, your first line gives you an option for a number of dice, sides, and a modifier. If you keep going right, you'll see a "manual" option.

Enter the die combination you want there. DO not use a capital D. It won't read it. =)

Oh and everyone but Chang Jun please DO roll 3d6 for DEX roll to break ties on DEX.

Tie breaker:

17:04, Today: Sarajen rolled 10 using 3d6 with rolls of 5,2,3.  Tie Breaker Roll.

Couple questions/comments on characters' actions added in purple to Ludvik, Chang and Syssiah's posts.

Please review
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:37, Mon 01 Apr 2019.

You are correct totally forgot that.

Message edited to answer :)

Edit in place.  Still reading/learning about combat & actions, so I'm not sure how much I can do in one turn at this point.  Let me know if I need to adjust further.

Ludvik, here is a quick summary of what you can do.

A character Phase has to halves.  Movement can be a Half Phase, Attacking can be a Half Phase.  Movement can be a Full Phase, Attacking can be a Full Phase.

Move always happens before attack, once you attack no other movement may occur in a phase.

There are exceptions to that move, Move By and Move Through Maneuvers.

Movement can be a Half Move or Full Move. Half moves are Half of a Move total, whether Running, Swimming or Riding or Flying.

A character can use a Half Phase to Half Move  and then use his other Half Phase to attack.

The exception to this is that attacks can be bought to happen at the end of a Full Move, like Charge.

Activating a Defensive Power, like a Weapon Trick is a Zero phase Action, while activating a Offensive Power take a Half Phase, which is an Attack Half Phase action.

Simple, right?

Ludvik - see my further edit to your post.  Need to know what kind of attack maneuver you used and location hit and damage.

Don't worry, this will be 2nd nature soon

What if I want to trip him? (Tackle)

Basically I'm trying to put him at a disadvantage for the rest of the slaves to beat on. (And hoping they do.)

A trip maneuver, call it what you like, Tackle, is a Attack action, so it and any other attack happen in the attack half phase, though there are Attack actions that consume the entire Phase.

Trip is listed in the Combat Maneuvers table in the References Thread.

Your Phase on Segment 12 would be:
- 1/2 Phase to make a 1/2 Move to either the hex with the dead slave driver OR hex LL14 since you have 15m of Running
- 1/2 Phase to attack with Trip.  You're -1 OCV to attack (but we already know you'd hit) and will be at -2 DCV until you go again on Segment 4 of the next Turn.  The Slave Driver will be Prone but will take no damage.  No location or damage roll will be necessary.

Please update you post to clarify the hex you move to and the combat maneuver you're using on the slave driver.

UPDATE: Took liberty of choosing hex for you.  Think it all worked out pretty well
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:05, Wed 03 Apr 2019.

Awaiting update from couple players, will plan to complete Segement 3-5 by Monday.

Sorry for the delay. Almaric would attempt to punch the overseer.

Sent you a PM with the instructions on how to attack, see where you hit and roll for damage.

And it's a good thing because I was going to roll for you and my roll was lousy.

    3d6 = Location = 13 Vitals

1d6+1d3 = Damage   = 1 BODY and 7 STUN

 16-3d6 = DCV hit  = Hit 8 DCV (16 - 8)

That was actually me rolling on behalf of Ludvik.

I'd rolled for Amalric an hour or so ago but I'd much prefer he make his own rolls.

Amalric, if you have any questions feel free to ask.  Even though your Haymaker would hit next segment go ahead and make the roll now; the slave driver isn't going to have the opportunity to move out of the way.

Ah,  so it is, I grabbed the wrong line.

My apologies ... trying to catch up now.  But I'm not sure about combat still, so uncertain what I need to do to proceed.

Best afvice I can give is to ask questions.

Combat in the Hero System works like any other system. There is an order to things.

In particular, combat relies on the "Speed Chart".

Basic combat breaks down into Turns. Each turn has 12 segments, each one being one second long (ergo, turns are 12 seconds each).

A character will have a speed value, which for normal humans is 2. A character's speed determines how many times that character gets to act in one turn. A Speed 2 characters acts twice, a Speed 3 character 3 times, and so forth. A character's actions are evenly divided into the 12 segments of a turn, where that is mathematically easy.

A segment in which a character acts is called a phase. Actions in a phase can be 0 phase, 1/2 phase, or full phase actions. Some actions may take more than one phase: maybe an extra segment past the phase, or two phases.

When a character's phase comes up, they get regular combat choices: move, attack, do something else.

Attacking is a special 1/2 phase action because your phase always ends after an attack, even if it is the only thing you do in a phase and you still have a 1/2 phase left.

If you choose to attack (you've already seen the protocol) you roll:

1. To Hit
2. Location (where you hit)
3. Damage Dice (modified by the location's multipliers)


If two or more characters act in the same phase, the fastest character goes first. The faster character is:

1. The one with the highest DEX (regardless of speed)
2. If tied, break with Speed (higher speed goes first)
3. (optional) if still tied, break with INT (speed of perception and decision making)
4. If still tied, have the players step into the backyard and duke it out. (j/k)

So, in short, in any one turn, you know your character's DEX and you know your character's SPD. This means that on a speed chart you'll be able to see when (in which segment) and who goes before and after (DEX order) your character.

After all 12 segments are completed, all characters get a Post-Segment 12 "recovery". This is important. If your character has taken damage (Stun) or expended energy to do things (Endurance), they get to restore some of the damage done to them and replenish some of their endurance. Use your Recovery stat to add its value to your character's STN and END totals. As is to be expected, you only recover up to the character's normal max. Therefore, REC means how quickly a character can recover from battle trauma and pain, and from normal exertion and exhaustion from battle activities. Needless to say, REC is very important for a combat oriented character.

Side Note: in any one phase, a character can take an additional recovery. However, doing so precludes taking any other action and drops one's combat values to zero (effectively becoming defenseless). If you feel your character needs to do so (because their STN is almost at zero and they are about to fall unconscious) make sure they run to a safe place before you do it. If your character takes damage while taking a recovery the recovery is cancelled.

That's it for basic combat structure.

There are, of course, maneuvers you can do instead of the same old boring strike, strike, strike. You can disarm, haymaker, grab, move-through, trip, etc, etc, etc. like in any standard RPG. (If you have the rulebook, look those up.) Hero System also has a special set of attack maneuvers called Martial Arts, which give combat modifiers (to hit, defense, and damage), representing unique and specialized battle training.

In this setting we don't use magic to start but other settings would include the Hero System powers. Since we are not using them right now, I won't comment any further on them.

And... as previously mentioned, ask questions on anything, no matter simple or innocuous it might seem. =)

The Hero System is involved and can be remarkably technical. It would be called "super crunchy" in normal RPG parlance. :p

But the basic rules are easy. Once you have that down, all else builds on it. And it has an internal consistency. Once you learn that, all else is easy to derive and understand from that basis.

If things still don't make sense at the moment, just play with character actions. Tell the GM what you wish your character to do, and he'll help you translate that into allowed actions, movements, and maneuvers.

Great write-up Sarajen, thanks.

I have snapshots of several reference charts available in the References thread link to a message in this game

As Sarajen said, if you just describe what you want to do several of us can recommend how that would flow.

In combat situations like this it usually just comes down to two questions:
1. Do I want to move?  If so move up to half Running stat
2. Do I want to attack?  Pick maneuver, roll attack (3d6), location if hit lands (3d6), damage (based on weapon or just Strength)

We can interpret the results and show you how we're doing it to help you pick it up.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:32, Thu 11 Apr 2019.

Ludvik, maybe a walk-through will help?  As stated, just let us know if you have any questions and we'll be more than happy to try to clarify/answer.

You're standing next to a prone slave driver; he defense is reduced by half (from 3 DVC -> 2 DCV cause we round up).

Don't move from your spot; just attack.

The Reference thread has a Combat Maneuvers table to show you some options; Strike or Haymaker are good choices based on how aggressive you want to be.  No immediate enemies besides this one slave drivers so either looks good.

Strike is +0 OCV +0 DCV and does your STR damage (you currently have STR 8, that's 1.5d6)
Haymaker is +0 OCV -5DCV and does your STR +4 Damage Classes (so 1.5d6+4 = 5.5d6)

The difference between the two is Strike is your normal swing while Haymaker is going all out with no regard for defending yourself.

1st roll to see if you hit:  11+(your OCV 5)+/-(any modifiers, this case aren't any)-3d6 = highest DCV you would hit.  So for these choices that's 16-3d6, put that in the Manual text box of the die roller and see what you get.  If the result is a least 2 (the slave driver's current DCV) you'll hit

IF you hit, roll to see where: roll 3d6 and consult Location table in References thread.  Depending on the body location you strike will determine if the man's armor is there to help reduce damage or if you get a multiplier for your damage (Vitals or Head really hurt!).  Since you're not using a Killing Attack you'll look at the N Stun column for Stun damage, ignore the other Stun column.

IF you hit roll for damage:
   - if you chose Strike in the Manual box of the die roller you can put 1d6+1d3
   - if you chose Haymaker then put 5d6+1d3
The total will be the amount of Stun, we count the Body damage of the attack by looking at the values of each die rolled: 1 = 0 Body, 2-5 = 1 Body, 6 = 2 Body.   Just total that up for all die

Once you've posted the rolls I'll calculate how much the slave driver's defenses reduced the Stun and Body damage and if he's knocked out or suffers any other affects like CON stun (if you do more STUN than his CON he has to spend his next Phase recovering instead of doing anything else.

Now, if you chose Haymaker, you're DCV would be reduced by 5 until the next time you get to move.  So, other enemies could take advantage of that and have a better chance of hitting you.  At this point in the combat the only enemy that could attack you is the one you're about to squish (with Amerlic's help) so you're not in any danger there but something to keep in mind for the future.

Finally reduce endurance used:  regardless whether you hit or not this effort cost you endurance (END).  Subtract 1 END for every 5 points of STR used, so 8 / 5 = 2 after rounding.  At the end of the Turn everyone gets a Recovery to get some of that back.  Get's really intense if combat goes on for a couple Turns and everyone is getting exhausted.

Hope that help.  Hope if you still have questions you'll post.

 Still here, having computer  issues

Thanks for the heads-up Amalric.

Have a gander at the walk-through posted above for Ludvik.  Hope it helps you understand how actions a little.

Post up.  Thank you for the help and my apologies for the delay.

Welcome new players!

Thank you. Marduke is a barbarian from  frozen Vanaheim.

Hello, hello... welcome to the pit. =)

TF: Horses isn't on Everyman skills?

Nope, most people walk.

Hey, folks!

Finishing up some stuff for my character, but she's a Pict. All savage and extremely pissed off. Grrr...  :D

Looking forward to writing with everyone!

@ Marduke - Horses are not super common in the frozen north!  ;)  *shivers*

Us Picts are not big horseriders, either. We like to run at our enemies on our own two feet.

How Many PSLs for melee are needed to insure that hit location is 2d6+1?

Also, Fighting tricks for the weapon group (Picks and axes)....Do I need separate Combat Skill levels and Power skill rolls for each weapon type, or each weapon Group?

Are Fighting Tricks based on Str, Dex, or something else?
This message was last edited by the player at 08:04, Sat 13 Apr 2019.

Look at the Notice: References thread for OCV penalty for Group or specific Hit Locations

Fighting tricks apply only to a Weapon type, not a group, ie Melee

Fighting tricks are DEX based, though if a special case comes up, a different stat may apply.

Okay, only need 2 PSLs to get that 2d6+1 Location roll. PSLs are not subject to the same Limitations or tight weapon groups, are they?

2 PSLs vs Hit Location costs 3 points?

From HERO Vol 1



Yes, there is a Camapign limit you can apply, look in char gen thread

EDIT: Though the following only applies to CSL's not PSL's


This message was last edited by the player at 08:51, Sat 13 Apr 2019.

Actually, that does not work. The 3 point PSL specifically says it applies to ALL Attacks with a specific OCV penalty. Yet to apply the required limitation, you have to use a Fighting trick with ONE weapon only.

How does that work, hmmmm?

In what way does it not apply, its all weapons you use regardless of any other penalty.

Oh, unless you did not read my EDIT: the limits apply to CSL, not PSL

You are buying PSL

If I were to buy 2 2-pt PSLs vs Hit Location, then I can apply it to how tight a group? All melee weapons? All Axes & Picks? What constitutes a tight group in this game?

The example in the text is Pistols.

In the Weapon Fam listing, Under Small Arms is Handguns.  Pistols are a tight group under Handguns, or Handguns are all Pistols, not sure.

Typically guidance for tight group is three things, like skills, or Martial maneuvers.

Are any skills based on Str? I don't understand why combat skill levels labor under restrictions? With 2 3-pt levels costing 6 pts normally , won't a Fighting skills roll take a -1 penalty for 5-7 active points? So. I would only be able to use Combat skill levels on an 11- roll? Seems overly restrictive.

Turns out in a following post, maybe here in OOC, Crom did say that certain defensive powers did not require a roll.

Rail all you like, shake the Pillars of Heaven, these are the campaign rules.

There may be uses for s STR substitution for a skill roll, no skills based on STR.

Hoist is based on INT.

EDIT: Found this



and there is this

This message was last edited by the player at 10:06, Sat 13 Apr 2019.

Okay. Fringe benefit for social class isn't a must, is it?

I've got 125 pts in characteristics , 5 pts in Ancient Bloodlines , 35 pts in skills,  and 10 pts in Powers (I'm guessing +1 Perception does not require limitations). Wish I could afford Berserk Fury, but I likely don't need it.

I need 50 pts in Complications. 25 pts likely in Psychological limitations. Probably Reluctant to Harm Women (10 pts?) and Honorable (15?). Is there a Social stigma attached to Barbarians?

There is no mention of a must have



Except as mentioned re Serfs/Slave/Outcast

This may already have been cleared up but let me summarize:

Power Skill: Fighting Tricks X (where X is a tight weapon group like Axes, Swords, Bows, Unarmed, etc...).   Required for Martial Arts that can be used only with X and Combat Skill levels with X.   Also provides benefits even if character does not also have Combat Skill levels and/or Martial Arts

Combat Skill Levels - only 2 and 3 point versions allowed, all MUST have Requires a Fighting Tricks X roll (-1/2) Limitation so they are limited to a particular weapon group

Martial Arts: Limited to X (where X is a tight weapon group).  Cannot be bought unless character has a Power Skill: Fighting Tricks X also

Penalty Skill Levels: restrictions are already in place since each is limited to a particular situation.  No requirement for an associated Power Skill: Fighting Tricks.  They're not modified in this setting.

You can skim the prior posts in the Character Creation thread for examples how others have used these.

Everyone starts with Fringe Benefit: Farmer/Herder and may either buy that higher or forego it for the Complication: Serf/Slave or Outcast

Nearly there with the mechanical bits of my character. Looking forward to writing with all of you.

Hah! Boy was I wrong, lol. Thank you, Crom, for working so hard on getting me squared away. Hopefully just a couple more PM's before I'm solid. Goodness. Talk about high maintenance.

Bleh.

Still looking forward to writing with everyone.   :)

You're in good shape.  Just few more points to account for

Feel free to post in Character Creation thread, let others see where you're going and offer some advice.

Since I am close to approved, I don't know if I should start posting to The Red Pit.

 I am afraid I am going to have to bow out of the game. I wish all here good hunting.

Have fun. =)

Everyone

I just added a clarification section to the 1st post in the Character Creation Guidelines post.  Want to ensure everyone is aware:

1. If Requires a Skill Roll Limitation applied, Skill roll is at -1 per 10 Active Points as normal.  Option to instead choose -1 per 5 or -1 per 20 apply normally.

2. If using Fighting Tricks to simulate a power character has not paid points for, ability limited to 20 Active points.  Final roll modifier will depend on which Skill Roll limitation was selected (-1 per 5 or 10 or 20 active points) toward the mandatory -1 minimum Limitations.  Once successfully used, same Fighting Tricks skill may not be used in this manner again until next encounter/scene.

3. Any power character has paid points for is not limited on Active Points but its final, Real Points must be 15 or less.  May use as often as they wish.

4. All combat powers must have at least -1 total Limitation.

5. Base END cost is always 1 per 5 Active Points (whether just raw STR, STR to meet STR min of weapon, or power/Talent, whatever).   Reduced END Advantage applies normally.

6. All subject to GM review/approval.


So, Requires a Roll used as normal (-1 per 10 Active points)  You may choose (-1 per 20 Active points or -1 per 5 Active points) options instead but you still have to reach that minimum of -1 Limitations (you can always go higher)

END is always 1 per 5 Active points (when END applies to the ability)

Can't use the Fighting Tricks skill as a cheap VPP.  You get to use it successfully once as a trick you haven't paid points for but can't use same skill for this purpose again during same encounter.  But if you have more than one Fighting Tricks skill (and I suppose you switch weapons) you could use it also

Finally, I absolutely intend to allow everyone to make wholesale adjustments to their characters at the end of this adventure.

You're feeling out your character.  I'm feeling out how we the rules I picked work.  I admit, I may scale back Combat Luck to only 1 level max.  2 was recommended in the Valdorian Age rulebook but so far I'm thinking it may be too strong (well until you're fighting that really strong abomination that has enough STR to increase damage on its attacks - something to look forward to!)

Also - new players are on the board

Marduke - the red haired man next to Tiberio
Niamh - the woman beside him with gold earring

Image of map is updated.
Combat tracker for Segment 8 is updated

What is the END cost for Running then?

6 m of Run, 12 m of Run = ?

1m  -  7m Running = 1 END
8m  - 12m Running = 2 END
13m - 17m Running = 3 END

So,I can use Pick tricks as a Power Skill for powers I have not paid for, like 'Follow through  attack '? But limited to once per Combat?

Yes, that is my reading of the rules as explained above, msg #74.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 06:03, Wed 17 Apr 2019.

I think he meant me by the Strong Abomination. But I am on your side.....

Hate to burst your bubble, he was inferring that creatures we fight in the future will be not just tough, but Abominations,  and in that /those fights, we would need 2 lvls of Luck Armor, because TPK.

Marduke Howard and Lovecraft were pen-pals and he sprinkled some of Lovecraft's horrors throughout his stories.  In fact, in his history for his world the empire of the Snakemen predated the Thurian Age of Kull the Conqueror, Atlantis and the Picts and the Elder Ones' empire predated even that.

You may never meet Cthulhu himself but you'll likely meet his ilk.  Just not here in the Red Pit.

Yeah, I know. I still own all twelve of the original Conan books published by Howard.

Edited my post (at the bottom) for clarity on which ladder she is going to.

Also, I understand that she is not necessarily helping the scene mechanically with her shouts, but it's what she would do.

Where are the ladders located?

Here

For adjudication of Ludvik trying to free slaves etc.

Please put combat related rolls in the current action thread.  Makes it easier for me to find them if they are all in the action.

I don't recall any inclusion of a Critical hit rule,



If there were, which if there isn't, I will have to make a trick for it.

The addition advantage to OCV - 3d6 = DCV hit, subtract the same 3d6 result fro the DCV hit again that = DCV hit critically.

In the above 11 DCV - 3d6(5) = 6 DCV hit as critical.

Well normally the only thing you could call a critical hit in Hero Systems is when you roll a natural three on the 3D6 which gives you maximum damage. And that is just the way my RL group has always done it, to tell you the truth I would have to look to even see if that is an actual rule.

Rules for Critical Hits are on 6e2 p 118.  If you roll < half value needed to hit target result is a critical for MAX damage.  It requires knowing exact roll needed to hit the target.

IE: Attacker has OCV 5 (after any mods), Defender DCV 3: 11+5-3 = 13- to hit.  Would crit on 13/2=6.5= crit < 6.5 = 6- for Max damage of attack against the location hit.  NOTE: < half is important.  If had needed a 14- to hit crit would have still been on 6 because (14/2)=7 = crit < 7 = 6-

I am good with the inclusion of this rule, it may provide reason to help justify keeping 2 levels of Combat Luck.

Are all of you good with possibly being on the receiving end of a crit?

I also am reviewing Impairing rules.

In reply to Crom (msg # 91):

Always the question, isn't it? Do we want to be on the receiving end of those criticals?

I will go with the trend of the group. Critical hits can really turn a battle...either direction. I've had good and bad experiences with them, so I'm on the fence.

Overall, I'm okay with a certain amount of realism, to include the nasty stuff, but this is also a game and supposed to be fun and we are the heroes.

Ideally, we would only die if we did something stupid. I'd hate for my character to be killed just because a bad guy got lucky. One of the reasons that rolling should be done in 'secret', perhaps. I don't mind the idea of my character getting hurt, even significantly so, if it moves the story forward in a legitimate way. Same with getting killed, but it should be some kind of powerful plot device.

At least that's assuming I just didn't do something incredibly stupid. In that case, let the rolls come and see what happens. Pain and repitition are the best ways to learn. Sometimes a character has to get jacked up to understand just how dumb a move you just made.

Yeah, crits. They can be nasty if they happen to hit either a light location (arms, hands, legs), where they just sever the limb, or a heavy location (vitals, head), where they kill outright. Either result is terrible for a PC (or anyone really, to be honest).

As a GM, I would only allow crits to the PCs from the major antagonists in the story (major villains, major monsters, etc). Minions, lieutenants, and other mooks did not get to crit the heroes. This allowed the heroes to treat the minor antagonists with confidence in their battle skills, but have them be wary of the major ones. ("Ok, this guy can cut my head off in one hit. I need to be careful.") It was more of "cinematic/dramatic" feel for me.

On the other side, the heroes could always crit. This would put the story clearly on the side of the heroes, but I tend to run a very hero-centered game. =)

And... most importantly, is the actual incidence of crits with the given math. Minions and mooks will have relatively low OCVs, compared to hero's high DCV. Their chances of getting crits typically fall in 5 or below range. Example: Enemy OCV 4, Hero DCV 7 = 8- = 3- Crit. This is always the case where OCV/DCV difference is at least 3 apart.

On even OCV/DCV your chances fall to 11- = 5- Crit.

On the opposite end, if the enemy has high OCV and the Hero has a lower DCV, let's say OCV 10 vs DCV 7, we see a 14- to hit, hence a 6- crit.

How does this translate to chances?

Roll      Percent
 3-        0.5 %
 4-        1.4 %
 5-        2.8 %
 6-        4.6 %

Crits are rare in this game. At the worst of chances, it's roughly 1 in 20, or as the "other" game system likes to call it: a natural 20. The only time when you are going to see them with any frequency is if there is an overwhelming difference in the combat values in a fight. And even then, you have to get lucky.

Still, when they hit, they will often (but not always) make a deciding impact on a fight... on unarmored or lightly armored opponents. On heavily armored opponents, they might only do moderate to heavy damage, but they will certainly stun them, which can be a high risk. But that's why you are heavily armored to begin with: so you can take those risks and stand a chance of walking away.

My $0.02.  =)

And... considering that most of us have 2 levels of Combat Luck, we can be considered "heavily  armored" for most fights (as long as we don't go over our weight limit).

On Critical hits/Damage, it goes directly to the lethality of the campaign.

HERO is already a high damage, low heal rules set. Add to that low armor/Barbarianism, low fantasy.

I do not favor Critical hits for the game as a universal application.

Players want to buy a Trick to emulate a 'critical,' that I favor.

Oh, I like the idea of "critical" as a trick. That way it is pretty much only heroes and the main enemies would likely have it.

If crits are defined as Tricks, does that mean you can only score a crit with a weapon you have a Power Skill for?

By definition, A combat offense Trick requires a Weapon skill, ie Power skill, with that weapon.

So, my combat skill is with Picks. Since crits are such a low probability to begin with, if I scored a 'crit' with a hand-to-hand attack, might it simply mean that I place the blow effectively rather than maximize damage?

This is HERO system, a crit can be defined in many ways.

Location, yes, high damage on a hit, yes.

By Effectively, that can be defined by a Trick.  The trick may be bought as a Drain, more damage, more STUNx, Flash, NND, the list is as endless as your imagination.

Location and Crit determination are separate. A crit as a system determination, goes to Maximum damage to a location, which in turn can cause an Impairing or Disabling wound.

Disabling in under consideration by Crom as well.

If your question is, can  a crit move the location of a HTH crit, it does not.
However, narrative and story can overrule for dramatic effect.

I think I would prefer to focus on dramatic rather than realistic or deadly aspects.  I'm considering the following:

- Use Impairing rules or something similar to reward high damage, maybe add to list as time goes by to increase variety
- Use same rules when Crits occur rather than increasing damage
- Impairing can be negated with a successful CON roll
- Mooks will never resist Impairing, but Lieutenants and Major opponents can

Criticals
Calculate if a crit occurred according to book.  Means I will share what opponents' DCV is so everyone can calculate if they crit on their own.

Thoughts?

No need to share Opponent DCV.

With the calculation of OCV(mods) +11 - 3d6 = DCV hit, - same 3d6 roll again and you figure out what DCV is hit with a critical.

OCV 6 +11 = 17.  3d6 result = 7. Hit DCV 10, Crit DCV 3

Yeah, no need to give away the DCV. We already know that only if we hit something like a 6 or less do we even bother to ask if a crit happened. Anything higher we already know is a regular result.

Ah I see.  But wouldn't that crit DCV 4?

Math.  How would that crit DCV 4?

Assuming would still use the 'crit is less than half the roll needed to hit'.

If Hit DCV 10
Then Crit < (10/2) < 5
So Crit DCV 4

Or were you dividing the amount rolled by 2?  < (7/2) < 3.5?

I would tend to side with impairing. I would rather get knocked out than suffer a 2D6 KA at 12 Body, 60 STN to the head, BEFORE Body doubling. (Although such a powerful attack would be rare, I have to admit.)

You have to go back to the original numbers, now we substitute 4 DCV v 6 OCV

OCV 6 v DCV 4 = +2 +11 = 13- to hit

<= 13/2 = 6.5, so a 7 which is rolled in my example, does not crit a 4 DCV

Yeah. Crits don't work mathematically with this (11+OCV)-3d6 formula. You have to go back to  (11+OCV)-DCV = X or less to hit. Roll less than (X/2) on 3d6 and you crit.

Man, I don't know what you're smoking, see my above post. The calculation stands and is faster and better.

Ah I neglected that last part in your proposal.  I see now.

Reading really is fundamental

This is definitely easy, in my mind, to calculate so it's a good option.  Not sure it has the exact same probability of critting as the book's optional rule but that's okay.  I'm good with this for now barring further analysis that shows a significant difference in chance to crit from book's rule.

I added the Impairing rules table to the References tab and broke up the tables into different posts.  IF you get an Impairing roll (whether crit or damage) I want players to have the opportunity to suggest what a appropriate impairment might be based on the situation.  The options listed in the table are suggestions but not hard requirements.  In the current situation, Marduke might prefer that the slave simply drop the pick.  Alternatively he may be fine the the suggested effect if he plans to follow up with a PRE attack and wants the bonus dice for violent action.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:21, Sat 20 Apr 2019.

It is mathematically exact. The probability is the same.

Easter festivities over with no injuries from the yearly cascarones battle...just...god I can't Chase my 17 year old son around anymore without needing Advil the next day.

Sigh

Will resolve Segment tonight.

One note: when you move please do specify which hex you're moving to.

I'll be adding number to each slaver to help you clarify which you attack.

Heya !

I'll be travelling to China between April 26 and MAy 10. So not sure I can post from there.

Safe travels to those doing so!

Glad everyone survived the holidays. They can be rough.

So for my action, I would like to do something like a 'Shove', but I don't want to leave the space empty if she is able to push the slaver. Ideally, the outcome I am looking for is pushing Slaver #4 to Y17 while she moves into his old space at Z16. She is trying to make space for folks coming up behind her and to drive the slavers back into the crowds of slaves. Would 'Shove' do that?

I suppose an alternative would be to 'Move By' or 'Move Through' and have her end up in Y17 or AA17 and, ultimately, still create space for more folks to come up.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:53, Tue 23 Apr 2019.

Shove, HRO Vol 1, 81 pg.


This message was last edited by the player at 06:29, Tue 23 Apr 2019.

Help me understand the map. Everything Above the solid, jagged black line is an upper feeding area? South of the line is the pit? And only two ladders, both of which are occupied?

How high up is the upper level?

Correct


Correct


Correct



10 m, and going up the ladder has rules.

Is it possible to push past the slave at DD16 to reach part of BB16? To climb there, using the wall to the right and the outside of the ladder to the left to make a faster climb?

These are good questions for Crom, however, here is my answer.

A slave being in a hex is simply +1 m of Running, so it costs a little bit, yes, you can move through that hex.

Likely some kind of Acrobatics check to gain some move advantage.

The lowest person on the ladder is +5 m up, by the time you get to the ladder and go up, likely that person, Tiberio, will be up the ladder in Seg 4.

Hey Red,
A notation to break down your Phase action, should look something like this


Hph : Move 6m, > GG15 > EE15 > CC15 (Ladder)
Hph : climb ladder +3m

Hph = half pphase?

In reply to Tiberio (msg # 116):

Thank you for that, but I am not sure it answered the core of my question. I want to be able to fill the space left by the slaver. My question is more about timing, I suppose. If the slaver gets the opportunity to return to the space he was at before Niamh can move in, she would not bother as the whole point is to push the enemy line back.

It eliminates Shove as a course of action to move into the hex someone forced out of.

Therefore Move Through is the option you need to look at.

Well, crap. As she is standing right next to the guy, Move Through isn't really an option either. I guess Trip is as good as I can do right now. Bleh.

Apologies, folks. I'm still learning the system.

Thank you, Tiberio, for helping so much.

The only maneuver that both forces an opponent to Move, and you as character to Move as well, is Move Through.

Trip only forces the opponent Prone, in his current hex.

Understood. Trip will have to do. Unfortunately, I have to generate speed to do 'Move Through' effectively. She has none because she is right next to him. Unless I'm reading the dynamics of 'Move Through' incorrectly...

What you need to do is understand how fast the Movement of Running generates Acceleration.

Short answer. 10m per hex, So moving one hex, into the opponent's hex = 10m of running.

I will double check my system knowledge just to make sure.

1 hex = 2m = 10m acceleration, Move Through has Move/6 or 10/6, with round in character favor +2 d6.

The other way to do it is Grab and Throw, but that does not allow a character to Move, as Move Through does.

Wow, okay...well, maybe she would try it.

Just adding an entry in the References thread regarding Combat Luck.

Specifically to point out that its protection does not work when characters specifically do things they know can hurt them....like a Move Through or Move By.

You still have your normal PD so still might be a good tactic but don't want anyone surprised when Combat Luck doesn't work in these situations....

I have considered that perhaps in situations where a character is hampered, like Grabbed, perhaps Combat Luck should be halved.  If I tied it to any DCV mod it might prove a good reason to keep it at 2 levels but....not sold on the idea yet.  Still seeing how this encounter plays out.

Want heroes to conqueror

But if you're never threatened do you really feel like you accomplished something grand?

We'll see...
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:20, Wed 24 Apr 2019.

Understood.

Phew. Back in action. Sheesh. Was getting pretty worried, there.

Yeah, the site was just about down for two days.

Yup same here :)

AS a reminder I travel to CHina for the next two weeks tonight, so please Crom try to not kill the Zamoran princess while she's away ^^

I'll be making the next post later today. Glad rpol is back in business

Where are the archers on the map, and how far above the feeding area?

Hey Red,
Look at the Die roller results for the Archers.

They are taking -4 OCV mod.  Range for 25m > 32 m is -4 to OCV. At 2m/hex that is
12 to 16 hexes away.

Now it could also be that being in a Crowd adds to a Cover mod, so maybe -2 for Crowd and -2 for range?

We will find out when the map is up later today.

EDIT: Upon further review it is written as -4 rmod, so range mod. so they are a bit away.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:08, Wed 01 May 2019.

I'm just thinking of using the feeding table as a shield.

Excellent plan., unless all it does is immobile you to one spot and requires both hands to gain the advantage.

See Game Map for view of the tiers of The Pit: Link back to this game

Archers and Spearmen are along the edge of the Pit (number 8).

Everyone started at The Entry to the Red Pit (1) and most are now on the Feeding Area (2).

Still 2 tiers to cross before figuring out how to ascend the edge...

Also, I actually forgot about the Slave Area tier...rmods might have been off.  Will let you know when I have draw out next 2 levels.  If so only off by -1
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:07, Wed 01 May 2019.

I am starting at CC15, at 9m/10m height. I can move a half phase to complete my climb and move to X15. I have the Storm of Steel maneuver with picks. Can I use that autofire to attack both slave drivers SD2 and SD3? What OCV modifiers would I take?

Auto fire says this:

A character can use a power with Autofire
to hit a target more than once in a single Phase.

Multiple attack is what you want.

Now Multiple attack says the following:



Limits, for weapons without Autofire, 2 Shots, must be within 120' arc of each other

With Autofire, limited to number of charges expended by Autofire, to also include the Autofire skill modifiers.

Ah, so I can only autofire vs Single target with Storm of Steel?

That cannot be correct. When GM wrote it up, it says Target: one or MORE foes, no range. Both those conditions apply, so I ought to be able to do it.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:42, Thu 02 May 2019.

Well, if you read Autofire rules in Volume 2 - Combat and Adventuring, you can attack multiple targets its just harder to hit based on how far apart they are.

Autofire does not

Without Rapid Attack you cannot move and Multi Attack

Autofire Single Target: +0 OCV +0 DCV, 1/2 Phase unless one of the Autofire skills are used then Full Phase, 1 attack roll, 1 extra hit / 2 points beat roll by up to max number shots

Autofire Multiple Targets: +0 OCV +0 DCV, 1/2 Phase unless one of the Autofire skills are used then Full Phase,  separate attack rolls for each target, -1 OCV / 2m separating targets (mod applied to all rolls), each target can be hit only once (unless Concentrated Fire Autofire Skill used), must use 1 attack / 2m , if miss can still continue to attacks

Multiple Attack: -2 OCV / per extra attack after 1st, 1/2 DCV, separate attack roll at full -OCV modifier each (ie: 3 attacks, -4 OCV to each of the separate rolls), 1st miss stops all other attacks

Technically you can Multi Attack with Autofire attacks....but we're not going to go there.

Updated map for beginning of Segment 8 available now.

Ludvik you'll likely want to change your action since everyone scattered to try to avoid the archers.

So, if I stand in X15,  I can use Autofire vs Multiple,  1/2 phase?

Targets are 4m apart,  so I take -2 OCV vs each separate attack vs slave drivers 2&3?

If you stand at X15 it looks like only SD3 is within reach.

X16 would be right behind SD3 & SD4, you could attack each of them once.   They would only be considered separated by 2m so -1 OCV, separate roll to hit for each Slave Driver, 1/2 Phase needed for attack (so other 1/2 Phase would allow you to move).

My phase 8 action is unchanged. But that'll work for phase 12.
Already made my rolls, so CSLs and Maneuver can be used.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:57, Thu 02 May 2019.

Might want to see who's still standing at that point ...

Yeah....

Curious question:

If we have more than one skill (combat skill levels, penalty skill levels, talents, maneuvers, etc) do we have to roll our combat mastery rolls for each, or do we roll only once for all use in a phase?

Hadn't really thought about it but should roll for each.  Better chance at least 1 will succeed.

Ok. Will do that.

Nazuras is who?

Where is he located?

Currently 3 hexs at the 10'oclock hex row of Chang Jun, the Blue highlighted figure, the only one with the tag 'Whip'
This message was last edited by the player at 01:55, Sun 05 May 2019.

Got it.

I've been traveling this weekend, will be home late tonight.  Expect to post next round tomorrow.

I think there will be plenty targets left when i get up there.

Posted and updated post to include results of her actions.

Well, that'll teach me. Single attacks until I'm a lot better at this.

I don't understand why you would say this

You have max OCV at 7. You have w CSL v Location.

You activated your PSL and the Storm of Steel ability.

You are at 95% of what is allowed. Not much better at this could you be.

You attacked two targets in a 180' arc.

There is no lesson you need learn. Everything worked as it was designed. Only a slightly off average roll, which you can not really control.

Heeh,you're right . Just ticked that I tanked on damage.

GM questions/comments posted for almost all players for Segment 12 actions.

Have a look and update posts/take remaining actions.

Does this mean I need to roll an activation on each skill level twice or three times if I am using the autofire Storm of Steel to attack multiple targets?

Also, Storm of Steel says it costs 3 END to use. Pretty sure I read in 6e or 5e that if you use Strength in a phase, you just pay the END cost for that Strength ONCE, no matter how many uses you apply it to in that phase.

I'd mentioned needing to roll separately for each Combat Skill Level since they have the Limitation Requires a Skill Roll.  It hit me the next morning that's an option but not necessarily true.

Requires a Skill Roll imposes a -1 penalty to the Skill roll for every 10 Active Points of power/skill/whatever being used.  So with a single roll a player could activate 1 or more skill levels if successfully rolling under the Skill roll modified by the penalty.

For Example:
2 Levels with Swords is 6 Active Points which would be (6/10 = .6 rounds to 1) -1 to a Fighting Tricks Swords roll.  Roll successfully and both levels are available, fail and neither are.

Alternatively, Character could choose to only use 1 of their levels with Swords meaning on 3 Active Points and a -0 modifier to their Fighting Tricks Swords roll (3/10 = .3 no > .5 so round down).

I know what I was thinking when I said roll for each, thought that would help prevent the "all or nothing" situation but technically characters make that choice when they decide how many Active Points they want to use.

Have updated the paragraph in Character Creation Guidelines regarding Combat Skill Levels with example.   Think I can keep it clear in my head now.

Quick question:

How much damage would the manacles do as weapons?

Added a list of all weapons found so far under the References Thread

Manacles are 1/2d6 Killing attack, improvised weapon

Back from travelling. I hope I didn't miss too much/.

Welcome back!

Good timing, was about to make last of the actions for Segment 12.

Plan to try to post results for Segment 12 this evening.

If you thought things were hectic before....

Eek! Chang Jun, what did you just do?!?!

Also, yay me for a devastating kick in the nuts to a slaver that deserved it and so much more.

;)

I was asked about using the Language Private Groups and I hadn't considered doing so but...

I went ahead and setup all the languages except the generally dead ones unless one of the characters had purchased them.  If you're curious which other characters you can easily communicate with have a look under the References thread.

The challenge is that anyone can make an INT roll to understand a language spoken in a kingdom adjacent to one that speaks a language they know....

Here is a table of languages, grouped by most common


Who Tiberio can talk to, barring some sort of lower level lanhuage adjecnt


This message was last edited by the player at 05:40, Thu 16 May 2019.

Yeah, I think the only character Niamh can't speak to directly is Chang Jun.

Marduke speaks Nordheimer and Cimmerian, which isn't listed.

I only listed languages spoken by three or more characters, Nordheimer is listd

Cimmerian is only spoken by Marduke and Niamh

Ah.

FYI: On RPoL's Hero System Die Rollers:

When rolling with Hero System, there are several options in the Dice Roller:

- If you are rolling To Hit or Location, don't use any specific system, leave it open. To Hit and Location are just a regular 3D6 rolls, no whistles, no bells.

- If you are rolling to do regular damage (hand to hand blunt, sticks, etc), use the "Hero (Champions)" option, and remember to select "record each die" for clarity. This option will calculate normal Stun and Body pips as per Hero System rules.

- If you are rolling to do Killing Damage for 6th Edition (which is what we are playing) use the "Hero 6th Edition Killing Attack" option. Again, check the "record each die" for clarity. This option will calculate Stun based on 1/2D6.

- Do not use the "Hero 5th Edition Killing Attack" option. It calculates Stun based on 1D6-1, as per 5th Edition rules.

I assume Marduke can use Casual Strength (14 Strength) to keep the other slaves from putting hands on him?

Question: did all the slave taskmasters carry whips with them? Or was it just the big guy?

Just Nazarus

Added a reference for the icons used on combat map to indicate status (prone, grabbed, stunned).

I don't see Nazuras. What hex is he in?

8 Hex Rows to the Left, 9 o'clock, of your counter, the one in Blue, labeled whip

Sarajen takes 12 Stun? Am I reading this right?

Does Combat Luck apply to this squeezing damage?

Yes, you are reading the damage dealt correctly.

It also says to apply defenses, which would reduce damage.

EDIT:
Unless you have some limit on Combat Luck, it does apply to Squeeze damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:46, Sun 26 May 2019.

All good. I just thought that because they were grabbed, the "reflex" part of Combat Luck would be negated. But if you we can apply it, I will be very happy to do so. =)

I'll be posting a combat status blurb with Saragen's "vital statistics" from now on in his posts.

This is the Vital stats I post in each post, this is my current phase

[Private to GM:
|^= REC 5|20%!! Turn 4   |  4|  8| 12| Loc | PD 5| ED 3| Notes
|        |=      Attack  |   |   |   |     |     |     | RH: Truncheon
|        |>       5 OCV  | 5 |   |   |     |     |     |
|        |>       5 DCV  | 5 |   |   |     |     |     |
|^  16   | 25  END       |   |   |   |     |     |     |
|        |>         RUN  | -2|   |   |     |     |     |
|        |>         STR  |   |   |   |     |     |     |
|^       | 27 STUN       |   |   |   |     |     |     | CON 13
|^       |      12 BODY  |   |   |   |     |     |     |
|9= Effects                                                          |
| Starvation|8 -2 STR, -2 CON, -5 END, -3 STUN, -1 Physical Skill Rolls
]

Same below for display, except I removed the Private to GM tag

Niamh told me 'To the ladders'. Where are the ladders on the 'Meal table' level?

That's a nice status summary.

I forgot about all the other details of starvation. I will have to add them.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:45, Tue 28 May 2019.

The ladder up is in Hex N6

Is it possible to make a Full Move towards the Ladder, using Casual Strength to move through slaves to get to my target?

Between Nazarus and Sarajen both jumping on the table, is there any food left on it? Enough to fill a bowl perhaps? Maybe a plate or two survived getting kicked off/stepped on? And if food was being served, was there a large source? Something like a big cooking pot? If so, where might it be?

So you can make a full move through the hostile slaves regardless, will just cost you an extra 1m of movement per hex.

But, roll Body for casual STR and for every BODY rolled you'll negate one 1m penalty.  However, this means you're plowing through and can tick off slaves enough to become a target for their outrage.

There are lots of watery gruel still upright at the farther end of the table from you.  Some of the piles of stale bread are still there or scattered slightly over the table.  Most of the spillage and scattering to the ground occurred on and near where Chang Jun slammed Nazarus to the table.

The table's pretty large, definitely still enough food available to fill bowls.  Having lived in this environment for the last month you know that although there IS food there is never ENOUGH food, and now that a sizable portion is spilled there is even less.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:31, Thu 30 May 2019.

Alright. That gives me something with which to work.

Apologies, didn't get segment result posted tonight but should have it out tomorrow.

Are the ladders attached to the wall, or can they be pulled/swung away from it? Don't want the Whip getting away, and plucking the ladder with him on it seems a dramatic way of insuring that.

That... would be very funny to watch. =)

I posed much the same question about the ladders.

Here is Crom's reply.



Bluff must be a typo or auto-correct.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 17:20, Sat 01 June 2019.

With 28 Str, I daresay I can handle it.

Can we push passed people without necessarily screwing up what they're doing? Like if I tried to move passed Tiberio and started my way up the ladder...

Yes you may

Sarajen, no space? Marduke just opened a hex adjacent to the Whip.

Nice. If you are vacating that spot, Sarajen will take the saved half-phase and move there. That should end his phase.

Many thanks. =)

Sarajen maybe go ahead and update your post to reflect his final hex.

Was my anniversary today, next post will be up tomorrow.

Joyeux anniversaire :)

Added note regarding carved blocks on Slave Area level to Turn 5 - Segments  8 & 9 post

The table is 4m or 6m in length?

From the pic in msg #2, it appears to be 4m long.

Can SYssiah see where the archers are ? So I can provide you with her next action course

Um...spread out roughly 15m apart on the lip of the Pit.

Because I was planning on actually drawing out the Scree Field and lip of the Pit this weekend.

Other than actual position any other question I can answer?

Dibs on a bow... and as many arrows as Sarajen can carry. =)

Busy today and then traveling the next five days. Will be back to regular posting the 2nd. Please NPC as needed.

It begins.

Tomorrow @O'dark-thirty

Driving from San Antonio to Los Angeles.

2 days in a car with wife and daughters.   There will be bickering...almost exclusively between the women

4 will start the trip...how many will arrive?

Every year my youngest daughter has sand volleyball tournaments in La area for several weeks of July and this year my oldest daughter will be taking a Summer class at Pepperdine before then returning there in the Fall for her Freshman year.

This is the first year we're driving on account of needing to pack a lot of extra items for the Pepperdine daughter.  I'm actually flying back Sunday evening as someone as to make the donuts in this house

I will have a laptop since I'm also the only tech lead at work right now; the other 3 all decided to take vacation at the exact same time (for multiple weeks I might add).  May be able to post depending on how tired I am when we stop or might not update until Monday.

Think we're running at a relaxed pace but wanted everyone to be aware.

Oh...

Good luck man. =)

Enjoy the scenery. xD

The winch rope in F7. How high off the ground is it, and what keeps it in the locked position?

Oh there is not one rope.

Attached to the giant winch are 4 massive hemp cables which lead down to a large leather basket.  You have observed the winch retrieve the stone-hauling basket to the top of the Pit numerous times throughout the days of your captivity.  It is strong enough to lift both large stone block and the chips and dirt generated by slave labor in creating said block.

Currently the stone-hauling basket hangs roughly half-way up the wall of the Pit; barely below the ledge of the Ear.

From the distance (and position next to the cliff-face) you cannot even see the winch let alone be certain what hold the cables and basket in place.  Some lock or pin likely, something large to withstand the power of the mechanism.  Draw and you may discover....

Is Climbing still Str-based, like it was in 2e?

Negative, Climbing is DEX based.

I have an idea I'd like to run by you:

I am thinking Sarajen could use his whip to sweep the ground before him. This is not actually "whipping" things, but more like sweeping left and right as he moves clearing the ground at least enough to make space for feet to NOT step on rocky debris of any kind.

I know this is possible given ample time and a slow pace, but I would like to know what is the fastest pace he could manage to sweep a path before him in these circumstances. Anyone behind him would be able to follow on that path as well, since once cleaned it would remain that way until new rocky debris covered it all again.

On that note, what are the slaves on this level wearing on their feet so they are not taking any damage?

We may have to forcibly take their footwear from them if they don't join the rebellion. =)
This message was last edited by the player at 17:11, Sat 06 July 2019.

Not going to be feasible to sweep with a whip, sheer level of detris spead across the floor of the Scree Field is beyond even a broom.  You'd need dedicated team to scrape paths with hoes and shovels.  Under arrow fire from the wall? That's a nope.

Perhaps this is by design by the Pit's master...

You know that shoes are exceedingly rare...but you failed your INT roll earlier so you don't recall why just yet (*cough* they're the ones who work in the Scree Field *cough*)    But though almost all slaves are without footwear they are, at least, afforded rags of their own to wear.  Just in case you didn't want to use your clothes to wrap your feet.

You could alternatively lay down a path of dead slaves to walk across.

Or you tough it out and shed a little of your own blood.

See, you have all kinds of options.

You all might even want to coordinate on a plan or something.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:25, Sat 06 July 2019.

Excellent. That is information I didn't have before.

So there is such an accumulation of debris it is quite thick on the ground. Got it. Hence my question.

I suppose Sarajen will have to go nude. Not that he minds it, since it is a bit chilly. But with upcoming exertions, he won't complain for the extra ventilation. =)

I was looking for details with that ledge, but I am drawing a blank here.

Can you tells us again...

- how high is the Eunuch's Ear from the ground?
- how high is the Pit's Edge from the Eunuch's Ear?

Walls are 10m high.

Ear is 5m up (half way)

New post tomorrow just....*@*&@$! what a week

Hope you're all well.  I'm good but *&*$#&@

Preposterous! Who does that?

Far more entertaining to watch us all individually stumble about towards that common purpose.

How tall are the large stone blocks?

per msg 150 in The Red Pit thread:
NOTE: the carved blocks come in roughly 2 sizes; hopefully each is clear from map.  If you right clicks image and open in new tab should be mooooore than large enough to see
Large blocks are ~2m cubes and provide 80% cover from archers above (-4 to attackers' OCV)
Small blocks are ~1m cubes and provide 30% cover from archers above (-2 to attackers' OCV)

I was thinking in terms of running jumps to boost my height on the walls when I launch myself up them.

What language is Sarajen using in addressing Marduke? Might alter my post.

Oh! Whoops... let me update that.

The 'pile of rocks' at H6...are there any small, hand-sized (or bigger) stone in those hexes?

There are all different sizes of stones in the piles.  Pebble on up to large.  Plenty of hand-sized.

I flew back out to California for a couple days.  Flying home tonight; expect to have next post up tomorrow

Traveling the next couple of days.

C'mon Chang, been almost two weeks since you posted, let's go, your holding things up.

Logged in yesterday.

Perhaps, for the future, set up a rule where if you don't log in for three or four days, you get NPC'd for your turn.

Apologies, Rl got a little out of hand for awhile.

All good, just a quick note like you just posted can be enough to avoid any tension in the future, though.

True and it was my intention, just seemed like every time I tried something came up.

The two enemies mentioned are #3&#5?

Rotated the 2 spearmen in D10 and updated map to try to make it a little more clear.

Spearman 3 & 4 are on the floor of the Scree Field while 5 is still on the ledge with Chang and Niamh.  #3 does not have a spear currently, it is embedded in the wall above near Chang.  #4 is prone but still has his weapon.

Did I read, somewhere, that the Ear has stuff that we can use. Weapons and the like?

If these low level slavers have Normal 8 Body, then I just about decapitated one. Score for the barbarian......

Slavers are dead.  These Pelishtim mercenaries.

Slight improvement in armor, weapons and ability.

I am looking at having Sarajen do a half-jump (2 hexes) and then use the whip to anchor it on to one of the swing arm's attached ropes (2 more hexes). This move will keep him in the air and away from the rocky ground of the skree field, so he won't have to step on them. The next phase he would then climb up on the rope to the ear itself.

Is the jump and swing possible? I can't tell where the ropes, baskets, and pulleys are on the map, other than what I see from top, which is the swing arm. Based on that alone I think it's possible.

Let me know.

Sounds good and dramatic.

I like it

Give me an attack roll at -2 to reflect the difficulty.

You can make a DEX roll as complementary.  Every 2 points made by negate -1 to your attack ( max can negate is -2)

Edit: or Acrobatics
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:01, Thu 22 Aug 2019.

12m running, and only 8m to reach my foes. Can't I try a move through then?

Or can I keep my attack/damage rolls for phase 4?

What's an Aghama?
This message was last edited by the player at 08:31, Fri 23 Aug 2019.

I wish you would have chosen move through/by instead.  I wouldn't worry too much about these guys; I'm okay with you keeping the rolls this time but in future I need you to recognize distance

As for the a’ghama, see very 1st post in Red Pit thread

We're on Segment 6 currently.  I neglected to change the title of my last post; perhaps that caused confusion.  I'd suggest everyone wait to post your next actions until we get to Segment 8.

And just to confirm, I should have next post up tonight.

Running with what I had earlier...

If you have 25 Str in excess of a weapon's Str Min, do I add 5 DCs to the damage?

The maximum any weapon can be raised is to the Base DC of the weapon x2.

A base 1 d6 sword is 3 DC, the most it can be raised is to 6 DC or 2 d6.

GM was kind, gave me d6+1 KA instead.

If STR is used to increase damage beyond x2 normal the weapon has a chance of breaking.

In the case of a rock it's probably not a big deal

Sarajen's combat skill levels are usable with a bow. Do they also apply to HTH? Can he simply attempt to use them without a bow in hand to increase his general DCV?

No for 2 reasons:
1) 2 point combat skill levels cannot be applied to DCV
2) You don't have a bow...yet.   But mostly because 1) above

That would be incorrect. They are 3 point levels. They merely require a skill roll to apply.

Hence the question.

Geez, I can't read.

Cool but do you have a bow?  I think the answer's no, the only bow that's currently available is laying next to the dead archer at the lip of the pit.

Okie dokie. Just checking. That's why I asked. =)

No worries, keep me honest.

Since I dont think the archers have head armor, the one I just beaned with a rock ought to be CON-stunned and drop his bow.

Yes, I agree. There are several bows around the battle field. The issues is to get Sarajen up there without him getting pin-cushioned. =)

It will be several phases before he can get his hands on a bow.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:21, Thu 05 Sept 2019.

Sorry, had it in my head I was waiting for a few posts.  Next post coming this evening

Waiting to hear from GM.
 How many archers are still active?
 How many enemy still alive on the scree field?


I have a notion to grab the monster's tail if it is low enough (in the map it overhangs a ledge). I can either climb the monster, or pull it down with my strength.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:54, Fri 06 Sept 2019.

Updated this Segments description to include details on the a'ghama.

1 spearman in the pit, engaged with Tiberio and Syssiah
1 a'ghama currently fighting Chang and Niamh
1 Archer to the far right, Amelric and Ludvik are coordinating on him
5 spearmen above
1 mercenary Captain
Abdibaal....somewhere
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:58, Fri 06 Sept 2019.

Wow, Niamh is struggling with her combat rolls, lol.

I think i just seriously inconvenienced that lizard. 14 BODY 28 STUN ARMOR-PIERCING.

Hey Chang, i think the lizard is no longer a problem.

Probably not, but since Chang would have technically went before Marduke I just went ahead with his attempted action.

Which was a waste anyway considering how the dice roller hates me.

Damn you Dice Roller

Damn you....

My apologies, I didn't quite get through all the post for Turn 9 Segment 12 tonight.  Should have it completed tomorrow.

Huh? How is this a bad set of rolls? You used your skill levels, hit really well, on a nice location, and above average damage? Where is the die roller hate?

I guess I got confused about where I needed to roll high v when I needed to roll low. I see now that it was a good series.

Syssiah, you won't be able to reach the ropes exactly the way Sarajen did.  Recall, the rock-hauling basket is suspended 5m up from the floor of the Scree Field.  Sarajen reached it because he was able to use his whip and his Swinging skill/power to latch on and then begin to climb.  Unless you can find a way to drop the basket to the floor of the Scree Field, it's currently out of reach.

Pretty sure he didn't leave the whip there but Sarajen can confirm.

You're other option though, would be to ascend to the ledge of the Ear where Chang and Niamh are as it's at the same height and then leap for the basket/ropes.  It's a 2m jump to grab a thick cable, make a normal attack roll against DCV 3.  If you miss, make a DEX roll to see if you fall into basket or not.

I've updated the image of the battlefield to better show the rock-hauling basket and where the cables attaching it to the winch are.  Moved Sarajen slightly to line it up better....the image itself is pretty bad.   Should show that Sarajen is climbing up one of the cables as he's already ascended above the basket.

Sarajen has the whip with him. It is slung around his shoulder and under his arm. He still needs it. =)

Hey, when the lizard dies at my feet, I can pick it up and throw the top half onto the lower shelf, like a weighted grappling hook. Then we just climb the lizard's back....

When we make our escape, i suggest we all put a point into a common Language. Perhaps Kothic?

These three languages are spoken by three, half, of us

Kothic, Hyperborean, Nordhiemer

I imagine the silver would have been split among the primary group. Niamh might be selfish, but she is also reasonable.

I plan to have the 1st post in the new thread up by Monday.  No problem if anyone still looking at a few tweaks for their character.

Added 1 point of Kothic. Not having a book to consult, I have to ask. Does completely fluent in Vanaheim and Fluent Conversation in Nordheimer give any discount or benefit to learning Kothic?

And can anyone give me the stats for the bow and the shortsword?

Marduke: language cost breaks are due to location adjacent to an area speaking a language you already know.  You can just look in Maps thread to determine.  Unfortunately you'll have no cost breaks for Kothic as it's pretty foreign to what you knew before.

I've added Short Sword and Medium Bow to weapons list in References thread.

let's see the aftermath.  Who has Body damage, how much and where?


BODY normally heals at a rate of REC/30 Days (1 Month)

Example: a Person with 5 REC, heals 1 BODY/6 days or 5 BODY in 30 days without benefit of healing arts
This message was last edited by the player at 23:32, Mon 30 Sept 2019.

3 Body to her Thigh
1 Body to her Feet

I think Marduke took 1 Body in either the arm or chest. Heals in 3-4 days

Chang Jun will be willing to help those who need healing.

As will Sarajen. He's a decent medic.

Niamh is also a good healer.

Clean the wound and it'll heal as we go. Recovery time 3 days.

The Red Pit thread has been closed.

The Vultures of Shem thread has been updated and is ready for posting.

Which of the many ways are you using Luck, or is it the standard way?

For Survival, are we in Temperate/Subtropical?

Having seen everyone Ride, anyone need to have their horse led by Tiberio?

Tiberio has a priority of keeping the horses not in exhaustion, and Survival for them for food and water. That means, more breaks for the horses, ie walking them, then Riding again.

20:41, Today: Tiberio rolled 16 using 3d6 with rolls of 6,5,5.  Riding 13-, to negate -'s to Survival.

That damn thigh injury

20:42, Today: Tiberio rolled 9 using 3d6 with rolls of 5,2,2.  Survival 12-, Complimentary to group Survival.

+1 to Group Survival

Standard way using table on 6e1 p246 as a guide.

Kothic Hills are currently Temperate/Subtropical though the area will become more arid and desert as you travel West.

Chang is currently having significant  difficulty though it is up to the player if they wish their horse lead.

I have a request:

Since everyone but Tiberio knows Kothic directly please do not use the Kothic language group when speaking it.

Instead:
- Maduke has basic conversation and can continue to roleplay what he grasps (this goes for anyone else who also has it at the lowest level)
- Tiberio can make an INT roll since he does know languages from adjacent lands to see if he is able to interpret what is said at a basic level

Feel free to roleplay any misinterpretations or misunderstandings that result.  :-)

For any other language, please continue to use the language group mark-up
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:18, Tue 08 Oct 2019.

Apologies for the delay, I'm traveling to visit my daughter in California and didn't appreciate how many "honey-dos" my wife would come up with that HAD to be done yesterday.  :-)

And now there are wildfires starting near where we'll be at.  Gonna be interesting.

Hope to have next post up later this evening or tomorrow.

Yeah, that's frequently LA in the fall. Dry winds, dry lands, dry soil. All you have to do is think "Hey, there's a high chance a wild fire could start!" and presto, wildfire. =)

My parents just got their evacuation instructions.

Yay!

Okay the visit was more hectic than I expected.  Back home now, expect to update tonight

What skill to make weapons? Weaponsmith and armorsmith are skills here, arent they?

Leathersmith (leather armors) and Armorsmith (metal armors) are described in Character Creation Guidelines thread.  Weaponsmith from main rulebook is also in use.

Going to have to beg your indulgence 1 more day.  Power has been out from storm and I need my computer for the major post.

Hmmm... Akbitana is east of our location, not west. Might you have your cardinal directions confused?

West goes to Argos or Zingara. East would take us to the Vilayet sea.

No wonder I was scratching my head.

....doh!

East would be the correct direction

That would explain why we're nowhere near the forests. =)
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 22:37, Thu 17 Oct 2019.

Next post coming later today.

When I was in high school, I used to run a Fantasy Hero game for five characters. It was a low tech game, but not a Hyborean Conan type of low tech.

Whenever the party broke into battle, I would play the Conan soundtrack, and the first track you hear is "The Anvil of Crom", with the great drums beating the pace for a battle charge.

I can now hear the track in my head again. =)

Question: now that the game has started, are you allowing the initial max values of 13- to be exceeded? Were those starting limits only? Are you keeping them as ongoing maxima? If they are maxima, can they be overcome by paying double cost, as with other maxima?

Yes you may go above 13- for any skill by paying double

Does that mean paying double for Skill levels that could potentially put you over 13-? Example, 5-pt levels with Pre-based skills.

Hesitation is 0-phase? Or 1/2-phase?

About how big is the rock next to Marduke?
This message was last edited by the player at 04:13, Sun 20 Oct 2019.

Target’s PRE   Target is impressed. He hesitates enough so that
               the attacker may act before him this Phase, or
               receives +5 PRE only for purposes of resisting
               contrary Presence Attacks made that Phase.

Hesitation means regardless of Dex, the Attacker goes first, <= PRE 15 go after attacker.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:15, Sun 20 Oct 2019.

Each hex is 2m?

Fantastic! Sarajen will start to save his XP pennies.

Yes hexes are 2m.

Given the creatures' DEX only Sarajen and Syssiah will be impacted by PRE attack should they have PRE <= 16.  Otherwise creature's already going ahead in DEX.

Yes, the post for Sarajen is merely intentions when he gets to act. He will go after them, whatever their DEX is... for now.

Yes I figured and totally appropriate

I posted an update under References outlining the steps in using a bow including, stringing the weapon, loading, firing.  They're a little time consuming to use but keep out out of stabbing range so there's that.

Ok, I see it.

I need to know if Sarajen's bow is strung or not.

From the description of your action in the Phase summary, it appears the bow was not strung.

Sarajen uses a 1/2 Ph to string it, because all bows are unstrung after combat is over, for travel.

EDIT:
Errp - here is the quote
1/2 move, 1/2 Phase to load bow.  Crit for PER roll allows Sarajen to detect another predator coming from behind (S15).  See notes in Reference thread added regarding use of Bows.

So it was strung, Sarajen had to load it, which only happens when the bow is strung for use.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:40, Wed 23 Oct 2019.

I assume as soon as light comes closer I will no longer have a -2 OCV?

Actually with the light source this close, does it reduce the penalty to -1?

Well, at this point I am going with the idea that Crom allowed the bow to be strung. But I will make sure to take the extra time for that from now on.

And if he didn't allow it... well, then to hell with him! =)

As I said, won't worry about it the first time.  Let's assume it is strung.

I had 6 days of rations, then

15 days have passed.
- 13 to cross the mountains
- 1 day to find the Oasis
- 1 day to get to the well and then the battlefield

How many rations have been expended/created?

Everyone is down only 2 rations since each horse provided 3 days worth for the entire group.  Perhaps there might have been more but it's difficult to fully prepare an entire carcass when you are on the move.

I'm sure there's a Highlander reference that can be attributed to your lone remaining mare but I'm unable to find one I like at the moment.

Ahhhhh... 'There can be_   only one."


These added by Crom to the References thread, msg #6


Armor            DEF    Weight    Covers
Brigadine Shirt   4     5.79kg     9-13
Ring Shirt        3     4.06kg     9-13
Bronze Cap        5      .39kg      5


Shield           DCV   HA   STR Min   BODY   Def  Mass
Medium, Metal    +2   2d6    13        4      5   5kg


This message was last edited by the player at 06:27, Wed 30 Oct 2019.

Man, you are on the ball.  I was just coming here to mention that.

In your next post, please include how long you are searching and your rolls to determine what you come across.

Yeah, that is affected by the discussion about to be had.

If we giddy-up, very short time.

Writing reply post to Sarajen now.

Hmm... I had to re-read that. I looks like Tiberio and Sarajen are agreeing there in the end when it comes to scouting and observing.