Agreed, oh mighty GM.

Question - should italics (thoughts) remain in the same color of the person who is thinking them?

In reply to Ethan Summerswift (msg # 21):

They should be the 'general' same color.

ie.

Bel uses Green, though if she's using thoughts it would be lighter green.

That's just me, if you're not inclined to fancy, simple Italics in the same color works for me too.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:34, Sun 22 Sept 2019.

Hello all!

I've worked out the character details, just wondering how this all works. (I've been playing Pathfinder/Dnd for years but I'm new to Pbp so bear with me 😷) I'm assuming send the character details to the gm? Also, I'm not sure whether I'm a teacher or a student at this point... How do I know?

Hey Ornn and welcome!


I've also a Knight of the Dinner Table but have only recently cut my teeth as a virtual player.  Though truth is I've played online when we called these MUSHs [Multi-User Shared Hallucination] and the players out-numbered the GM by the hundreds.

This experience is a bit more intimate... and the story is better developed for that distinction.


As to your questions... I can't actually say if you'd be a student or a teacher [not having more authority than any other player, here.]. Though I'd expect that fact should have been central to know for the concept you pitched at our GM in your RTJ.

Last i check he wanted to be a teacher, definitely students dont show up with spectral horses.

Hahaha, I made an assumption based off my RTJ, I hope it wasn't in error ^.^

Yeah... I mean, Phantom Steed is a 3rd level spell, but it is kinda... Odd... Compared to the other entrances, now that I think about it. Yeah.

Sorry about that whole mess, I turned it into a private mwaage for the GM so we don't have to worry about that any more. *bows* apologies everyone, I'm a little excited >.<
This message was last edited by the player at 00:20, Mon 23 Sept 2019.

Yes, when i have a fair handle on the character, i'll introduce them.  That doent mean i need a full character sheet, but i should understand them enough to have traits assigned.

We have a full house at this point as far as teachers go.  I only wanted 3 or 4, and have five now.  You were third to respond, but you did in rmail, and i admits i was tempted to decline it since i was full but decided for various reasons to add you as the last.  This early in the campaign, attrition is something i'm use to, so it'll get down to the numbers i want sooner or later, and if you're all splendid players, theres no regrets to let you all in to play with so... yeah.  That's my logic on this one.

I have no students at this point, though one player had already noted they wouldnt mind looking at the campaign from that end too.  So if you're inclined to MPD, let me know and we'll discuss setting up a student for you too, or if you prefer that over a teacher, best let me know earlier than later.

Yes... 3rd level spells are a big thing in the campaign actually.

No one, outside of exceptional circumstances can cast anything beyond 3rd level (never happened in the game), and i can count the number of times 3rd level spells were cast by players on one hand, so yeah, that entrance was going to need some research at the character by me before sliding in as official.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:01, Mon 23 Sept 2019.

In reply to Fate (msg # 27):

Gotcha, take your time, you've got a lot on your plate! I appreciate the consideration, and I await your approval and perusal ^.^

Is there a place I can get a better idea of this world? I'm starting to realize my thoughts may be more akin to the thoughts of a poor wayward Archmage in a low magic Isekai manga....
This message was last edited by the player at 04:59, Mon 23 Sept 2019.

I suggest ...

That characters share character generation information with one another here.

Questions you have and what not, should be asked here, because if you have the question, someone else might too.  Asking it here, and answering it here will answer the question and inform the other players too.

Unless it's something 'personal' to the character we can only benefit from sharing information.

ie.  the information about the divinities, while useful for cleric players for character design, is useful for everyone in general for roleplaying setting.

Only one player has a (mostly) complete character sheet, everyone else is actually still sifting through character classes, traits, and what not.  So, dont feel you're behind.  Some character are put into the campaign, which happens after i worked and looked at them enough to get a 'feel' for them.  That will usually happen well before character stats happen.

Many generations of the Misty Valley have come and gone before this one, some of them really shorter lived than they deserved, but i've learned and refined the way i do things from each of them.  Truth be told, i still am so while i'm willing to entertain about anything as a possibility, when i make a ruling, i make a ruling and they're usually pretty set in stone after that.

Mmmm... regarding magics... (see next note)

Trying out a new 'magic item' system this time around.

Cassandra asked about items, and i told her i was giving out about (7) points worth of 'magic' equipment.


First, there is MASTERWORK Equipment

To be noted, I count master work items in there because in my campaigns, master work equipment is the first stepping stone to magic items.

Most notably from core rules are masterwork weapons (+1 hit) and armor (reduce armor check penalty by one).  Armor has some extra rules though, in that the 'bonus' doesnt need to be armor check, and reducing arcane failure, and encumbrance are also options.  Armor also has an extra level of quality noted as 'Custom' Masterwork Armor, which allows you two benefits instead of one, aside from the increased cost, they are tailor made for one character and no one else benefits from them.

Most Masterwork weapon and armor will be 'one point', plus or minus a 1/2 ~ 1 point (ie.  A Masterwork Dagger, isnt as expensive or valued as a MW Longsword, nor is MW leather as valued or expensive as MW Chain shirts.

Other stuff might be masterwork, but i wont count them against the character (this is stuff like boots, and gloves, and so forth).  Such masterwork things might just be nice items that are comfortable and look good (around 20 gold value, not worth an item point), but others might provide a skill bonus of some sort, like boots that might provide a bonus to stealth skill checks, or gloves that might be helpful for disabling skill checks, and so forth.  It's important to note that these fall under circumstantial equipment bonus and DO NOT STACK with each other, so if you have gloves that give you a +1 bonus, and thief picks that give you a +1 bonus, together, they give you a +1, not ... +2

---

Next there is 'Imbued' Equipment.

Imbued Magical Equipment is sort of limited use magic item, that i've developed for the campaign, and that has been popular with just about everyone that plays in them.  The foundations of the rules are actually rooted in the core rules, i just took them to heart and built around it extensively.

The basic function of an Imbued Magical item, is to etch, sew, dye (whatever) magical script of some sort onto masterwork equipment.  This magical script trigger a predetermined magical effect, drawing magical energy from 'mana stones/gems'.  Over the span of day (more or less) these mana stones will draw ambient mana back into the stones and be ready for use again the next day.  (In theory it should be ready 24 hours later, but for practical simple bookkeeping, you get them back after the party rests to refresh spells)

The most basic Imbued Equipment will trigger a first level spell of some sort, once a day.

This is the most basic understanding of how imbued items work, the more advance bit, involves knowing what spells are used in what items.

ie.  Masterwork Boots, are usually imbued for movement and travel, normally with Expeditious Retreat, or Longstrider.

A first level spell, once a day is worth about (1) item point

---

Minor versions of Magic Equipment

These are scaled down 'lesser' versions of establish magical items.  The pouches of holding fall into this category.  They're scaled down bags of holding with a belt loop to hang off your hip.  Very useful.  You cant fit the entire general store into it, but you can carry a good bit in it and stay unencumbered.  Not for this campaign, but it's an important point in past campaigns, which were more tactical specific, and encumbrance was watched very carefully to decide how far and fast you can move.  Moving slow... was bad.  You can expect to be 'kited' and pin cushioned in short order if you were, and i was unrepentant about it, because players would do it too.

I came out with inexpensive staves, wands, and rods following this rule.

---

Temporary magic equipment.

Mostly some things were changed for bookkeeping.  ie.  Instead of scribing scrolls, i let players scribe them into spell books, to be 'neat'.  Open the book cast the spell out of the book, get a new blank page to scribe again.  (crafting was fairly 'big' in some of these campaigns)

'Expendable' wands came in smaller sizes, so they no longer had '100' charges at full.  A pretty obnoxious number.

A notable difference, is the 'Mana' Potion.  Inspired by video games, drinking one would revive the character to the point of restoring an ability to cast a spell that had been able to cast earlier in the day but expended.  The typical mana potion will allow you to recast a first level spell.


Ponders  Geez... scratching the surface here, but its getting late and i think its time to log off.  I will make an effort to answer roleplaying before logging off.

I still need to look at Ornn.  Apologies, but Ornn is my 'bridge too far'.  I've only planned for 3 to 4, so fitting a fifth is making me feel time 'tight' which i can only solve by pushing the work off till i feel properly prepared to look at it

sorry, i really do try and love all my players, and treat them right.  It's just... you know, i like to sleep too.

>.<

Okay...

If you're not using core rules, you need to provide me with a link to whatever non-core rules you want me to look at.

my go to website for online referencing is d20.

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/

They have notes on all the stuff i have, and then some, so you should be able to find it there.

if you cant it's so obscure that odds of me letting it through are going to be much reduced if if i cant find a reference for what you're talking about.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:21, Tue 24 Sept 2019.

Just a footnote:  Much as i would love to keep up with the roleplaying, i'm distracted with the matters of character generation, and map generation at the moment, so... if i lag behind in responses be aware, they're for a good cause.

Oh wise and mighty GM,

While I know that it is your preference (inside of YOUR game) which is paramount, I thought I would mention that  (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/) is quite popular but is not actually the 'website of choice' for Piazo Publishing (the publisher and designer of Pathfinder) when they stopped supported their OWN website.  The Archives of Nethys is the Official Licensed Partner for all setting-specific pathfinder rules content (along with any Open Game Content).

D20pfsrd is many things but they utilize the materially free nature of the System Reference Document to sell their own 3rd party supplements via Patreon.  Now I don't mind this, I buy lots of stuff through them. But the stuff they present as RAW isn't always limited by the core publisher.

If that's important to you, mostly to control scope creep, I would suggest that you check out - (https://aonprd.com/)- it is for me an invaluable tool for indexing the pathfinder books.  But if you own the 3rd party stuff and already have that incorporated into your game then the other should be your "go-to".
This message was last edited by the player at 14:48, Tue 24 Sept 2019.

Paizo use to have an offical weblink, inside their website, but they 'moved it'.  Evidently to this new one.

I dont own the 3rd party stuff, but they're also clearly marked with their own link, so i'm okay with using them as a reference.

That other link works too, if you you want to be more official that is.

Though to be fair, with the mutation of home grown rules i use, i shouldnt be calling the kettle black about wanting 'official' core rules too closely.

it's just with the volume of player friendly stuff that is in the campaign, between the new traits i'm experimenting with, the Imbued magics that have been around forever, and the higher (by my standards) level, i dont see the need to drift too far from 'core' rules to stay 'balanced' and 'interesting'.  Particularly since we have several new players that have never dealt with the Misty Valley setting.

Myself included.

Some real life distractions (hubbie sick and tending to him and stuff), also got a new player, who will be playing a student.  Waiting on name/history from them, though they should be about in the near future.  (the next morning game time).

Right, Roleplaying thread updated.

Havent forgotten about Ornn, he'll arrive in the morning with 3 npc teachers, and a bunch of students.

Getting late though so i'm off to bed ttfn.

That tears it!   I might have known... ok who is it... which one of you is the time traveler.  I swear you just cant' enjoy a post-modern medieval fantasy anymore.



Sorry.  It's late. Or .... maybe it's early.


Depending on how you measure these things.

>.<

Bad Ethan... bad bad ethan... *mummbles*

Since we have a rumor and gossip thread, i suppose i should make use of it.

Player may make one roll, with a knowledge skill of their choice to discern rumors or general knowledge of things at the academy.

Given his specialty, i will allow Ethan to select two skills, and make a separate roll for each for information.


Appropriate skills might be...


ks:  Local  Information regarding the Misty Valley populated areas.  Which includes the Academy, Northshire, and various homestead in the area.

ks:  History  Information regarding notable historical events that occured in the Misty Valley


ks:  Nobility  Information on the Royal family, the dean, and possible events regarding the background of the academy.

ks:  Nature  Information regarding the local non inhabited areas, including 'monsters', herbs, medicinal plants, and the like.

etc... etc... etc...

Most ks Rolls will yield some sort of information, Profession rolls might also.  When in doubt you can ask me if a skill is appropriate.


Consider this motivation to get character sheets together, if you dont have a sheet, you dont have skills, if you dont have skills, you cant make a roll?
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:01, Wed 02 Oct 2019.

Ethan wonders at 'Agatha's' statistics. His brow raising at the conclusions drawn. And still wonders at the resources being expended here.

Do you recall the old old old way old Dungeons and Dragons 'Basic' boxed set, that came with the first module, Keep on the Boarderland?

If you play it... 'as is', and roll 3d6 for stats, you had a total hodge podge of stats.

Characters were... terrible.

Then you look at the intro dungeon module... Absolutely... LETHAL.  Traps... Ambushes... Cunning Monsters... matched against characters with feeble, or at best, average stats.

Agatha's stats i believe are right on if you consider that.  I recall how often the parties would wipe, or near wipe on the intro module.

If characters went to the 'academy' at least the ones that would 'suck' (bad ability rolls) would be weeded out, and dungeon experience on the things to do in a 'dungeon' are at least passed on somewhat.

If you're familiar with anime/manga called 'Goblin Slayer', you sort of understand the environment rookie adventures start in... yeah... i'm a level one magic user i shoot off one spell and then i'm useless... with a staff... or dagger... .and no armor... and... d4 hit points... yeah... i'm not a walking statistic...

Older players know that i'm not quite the slave to linear time lines, and i've been known to run things slightly out of sequence.

To this end i've started the 'private' threads for Cass and Creedrow.  These threads are meant to be private and away from other teaching activity and as such, not a slave to the timelines of others.

Should there be events with more than one teacher doing 'stuff' the use of the'general' thead will be used, or a new one formed up to accomidate the activity.


Cass and Creedrow both have pretty complete characters at this point for me to give the final look over and hopefully finalize soon.

At that point I'll give Ethan's character a harder look, and give real attention to Orrn and Sionell.  Though to be fair, Sionell has gotten sorta quiet so she may have lost interest or gotten busy in the flesh and blood world.

Also, the expect student seems to be vapor at the moment, and has dropped off silent, which i really dont mind.  Better now while no work is done.  I'd be a lot more miffed if it happened after going through the motions of making a character.

Anyways, that's where i am at the moment.

I may... or may not get to answer the general thread tonight.  I have some stuff distracting me, and if i have time and energy will get to it.  If not, well... tomorrow is another day.

Seems to be some desire to interact with Adhafera and Alea so I will extend their moment for another day or two before moving on to the next two students.

Roll Call of present 10 students in Cafeteria...

Adhafera Arcwright
Alea

Coleson
Jason

Judith
Makoa

Milo
Rothor Palon

Tabitha
Wyrmwood

So there are four more pairs to orient after these two, and I'm presuming private threads are pending introductions her.  Easier to do with all the teachers present than individually in private threads.  While it wont matter to you, it would mean i have to replay the same scene several times, so better a general introduction and then you can fine tune your interest on the students you want to interact with.

I have a set number of NPC's that i'm bringing forward into the campaign.  Since this is a prelude timeline, i'm bringing actually characters from the campaign to be students.  If you have a suggested archetype you'd like to see as a student please make it known and they may show up the next day when the balance of students appear.

Even without a full character sheet will discuss with Ornn and Sionell if they want to join the roleplaying at this point to get them introduced to the students as well.

mmm...

I suppose no matter how good things looks, statistics catches up to you.

I presumed attrition would cost me players and i suppose Sionell wont be joining us in the campaign.

Creative character block on a concept to play seems to be the cause, so that actually brings the player population down to where i wanted it, presuming i didnt lose Cassandra, who's been sorta quiet.

Though.. considering i had a black out of several days, i wouldnt feel right calling the kettle black, so i'll wait to hear from Cass if they're still about.

Ornn is reworking their character at the moment, so, till they have enough of a concept together to add, things are what they are, which isnt terrible from my point of view at the moment at least.

Just keeping peeps informed.

On a different note, are players okay with the current direction and pace of the campaign?

ttfn.

Still here! Sorry for not being around recently. Work hit hard followed by tonsil removal that had complications. Finally feeling good enough to sit up and type on the phone. I'll post as soon as I am caught up.