For all those discussions out of character.

I think at the moment that there are enough players gathered to at least get the ball rolling on discussions of characters, races, and the ever wonderful bit about the origins of our adventure.

So I think I shall start that ball rolling back asking the age old question:

What is everyone looking to play in this game of ours?

I'd really like to play a Windling Scout (with Questor and Wind Master thrown in there) but from my experience the horribly low toughness doesn't seem to do well.....

Enjoyment and adventure, bits of intrigue too is what I hope for.

If you take a Windling I'll chose an Airsailor...
Although I am alrady playing a human Airsailor in another game.
I fear I might have some difficulties distinguishing the two if I play both simultaneously.

In reply to Arachne (msg # 4):

Play a Sky Raider instead?

As for what I want in a game?  It's hard to say, I've only played one character extensively in ED (A windling Windmaster from 2k - 800k legend) and we did zounds of stuff, lol.

I'm a bit too timid to play a frontline fighter.
Otherwise I'd go for a Swordsmaster.
I had settled for Scout or Airsailor in this one, but I'm still open to suggestions.

I really like the Beastmaster too but I hate the fact that they can't do Missile Weapons.  I love the Calveryman but they can't do missile weapons until rank 5.  My biggest problem is that I love windlings but they aren't really suited for frontline combat, lol.

I didn't want to say about the Windlings, since I didn't want to spoil the pleasure for you, but... Yeah, that is my issue with them.

They put an unreasonable high pressure on the rest of the group to compensate for their lack of hitpoints. It's like a spellcaster without the spells.

See, I didn't run into that in 1st ed.  Admittedly the Windmaster started with Dive Attack so they had a sufficient way to deal good damage without being right in the thick of things.  I guess it really depends on what everyone else wants to play too.

I'm pretty sure I could make a Windling Warrior work.  They'd never be like, optimized, but that's because Windlings are min/maxed for spellcasting right out of the box.


I'm... I think I would need more of an idea of the type of game to settle a character, though I totally get that you kind of want an idea of characters before settling on the type of game.  We seem to be at an impasse. grin  I'm kind of thinking of a front line fighter type myself, just because my only other active character right now is an Illusionist and sometimes just punching things is very satisfying.  But the merchant island you're writing up in the Setting Thread looks like it could be awesome for the kind of game where a Troubadour could like, meaningfully contribute, and if we're thinking about something more intrigue-y, I'd hate to miss that opportunity.  I think it could be very cool to have the kind of game where we don't need the traditional party layout, and perhaps where even a Windling doesn't need to stress so much about their HP because the game isn't mostly about people trying to hit us.

But those kinds of games are a whole lot more work to GM, and I'd be perfectly happy punching our way through problems.  Speaking of punching, what do you have for 4th Edition?  If you have Mystic Paths, I'm curious about the Gauntlet Discipline.

I personally only have the core set of books(I believe that's the Player's Guide, Game Master's Guide and the Companion off the top of my head, names might be wrong), though if someone else has access to what you need I have no complaints about you looking into the Gauntlet Discipline.

I have had multiple people tell me a good mix of adventure and intrigue is the preferred route, and I have no issues supplying that. More to the point, I don't particularly like forcing groups into the traditional "necessities" of a party composition. I've had the experience of working with groups in a few different systems that were heavily skewed one way or the other, and I will honestly try to ensure that it never becomes an issue.

Depending on the views of the group, the party could be outsiders coming into Kavos or natives working to make a name for themselves. Either way, as the party's legend grows, they're going to get dragged into more and more of the political happenings of Kavos, and the schemes and plans of its Merchant Captains. Not to mention the growing interest from outside sources Perhaps culminating in helping to decide the final fate of the nation itself, but that's far into the future if we even make it that far.

Overall, I plan for there to be plenty of opportunity for any kind of character to get their chance to shine. The island is a merchant nation after all, and everything relies on money and good faith. More "social combat" characters(for lack of a better term) should have plenty of opportunities to verbally spar with the inhabitants. More combat focused individuals will get their licks in doing the more traditional work, as there is plenty of danger on and around the island to contend with.

What Circle are we planning on starting at?  I kinda had an idea for a windling cavalryman that performed in a circus but I don't really want to dump a bunch of LP into the missile weapons skill just to pick it up as a talent at 5th circle, lol.  I would look at Beastmaster but unarmed combat for a windling would be the worst, lol.  Although now that the adept book is out I could play a Journeyman (I always felt they were kinda the cheesy discipline though).
This message was last edited by the player at 02:58, Fri 10 Apr 2020.

Most of my favorite characters are antithetical, like the Windling Warrior or the Troll Troubador (which is sounding very tempting suddenly).

Spitballing here, off the Windling desire of PCO.Spvnky, We could go for an all Windling party:  A group of Die-hard anti-Theran activists who are attempting to separate this revenue stream from the Evil Empire.

I... Must admit I'm not really feeling like playing in an all-Windling party...
Not unless we shift the entire premise to being in a Windling village or Kavos is generally an island with pygmy fauna and no Biggun-namegivers...

I'm (naturally) not going to tell others what to play, but if we have a lot of Windlings in the party I'd like something non-combat heavy... In which case I may (or may not) make a Swordsmaster "Extraordinaire".

Since we have a decent number of people I think I shall start asking slightly more direct questions to help things along slightly.

Is this particular group of adepts going to be outsiders coming in(for whatever reason, though I have a few ideas personally) or is the aim for a group of Kavos natives doing their part to help their home nation in whatever way they can?

Either way the coin falls, I believe I have a reason for all the characters to be together, though perhaps not entirely as a cohesive group yet.



I was personally thinking starting at 1st, but awarding LP quickly enough over a relatively short time to bump the group up to 2nd or even 3rd. That's partly due to my  relative inexperience, and wanting to ensure I get the opportunity to properly learn how things work. I'm sure all those more experienced than me can keep me on the proper path(read everybody else), but a little initial buffer never hurts.

I am strongly leaning toward the Trollbador; an outsider recently arrived on the island following a need to learn new stories of new people while building his own.

Do you have a preferred format for character display/?

Oh right.
I'll send a template to GM now.

The template has now been placed. I checked it over, and everything on it should be right. About the only thing inconsistent with standard character creation in 4th ED would be 30 points for attribute distribution instead of 25, but honestly, I'm not against a little extra oomph in the characters.

I like 30 points. ^_^

You can still take Missile Weapons as a Skill can't you as a Beastmaster?  It makes sense that they could use a bow from the back of a beast, so why have they excluded it?

What's our party composition at the moment?

As I have registered (no one has really decided yet, but here is what it looked like as per last night):

Me: Human Airsailor (Or Windling if we're going with it)
Utsukushi: Windling Warrior.
Iz2tricky: Windling Cavalryman.
PCO. Spvnky: Windling Beastmaster.
Saviouonedge: Troll Mount for multiple Windlings Troubadour.

That's some ship we're on...

"You're going to make me spend more points?"

Nobody; Ever.

And FtR, Windlings are my favorite ED race. I am always willing to play about any discipline as a Windling.

In reply to savioronedge (msg # 22):

I've never played one, so I'm looking forward to it.

So the revised list right now.

Utsukushi: Windling Skyraider
Iz2Tricky: Windling Cavalryman
PCO: Windling Beastmaster
Saviour: Windling Troubadour(?)
Arachne: Windling Airsailor

We need a Windling Spellcaster.

Edit: I've thought about it.
Could we please tune it down with the Windlings?
Honestly I think two Windlings in a game for five is a bit much.
I'd rather have a more diverse group.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:59, Sun 12 Apr 2020.

I will add that while the idea of an all windling party sounds good on paper, I don't think it would be all that survivable. Granted, I'm using my limited understanding of the game's mechanics, but even then I get the distinct feeling windlings aren't supposed to be taking hits to the face often.

I'm certain in can be done, especially by those more skilled in using the mechanics, but I don't think that was the intent of the race.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:07, Sun 12 Apr 2020.

In reply to Arachne (msg # 24):

I am finalizing Equipment for Troll Bard (comedian).
I would go to Elementalist in an all Windling party.

I am not opposed to Windling Troubadour, but A) Wind Dancer and B) This guy's persona is Smiling, happy big guy you don't want to get mad and that doesn't work as a Windling.

I am happy to go either/any way. Windlings focusing on Intrigue, normal party, or Big non-combatant with tiny combat support. I will have two characters finished by EoD 12APR20.

I... um... blinks

Arachne?  Do you realize that you're the one who ran away with that idea in the first place?  I know somebody else tossed it out there a while ago, but nobody was actually doing it until your list.  So, um, sure.  I'd be happy to tone that down a little.  And Saviour can have his Trollbadour back.

I just said I think I could make a Windling Warrior work, like, as a thought exercise.  It wasn't ever particularly my plan.  And for the record, I wouldn't try it with a Sky Raider.  You want Wood Skin, not Fireblood.  Windlings don't have the Recovery Tests to fuel a Sky Raider, and Sky Raiders have too many "dead" Discipline Talents for a Windling.  Climbing and Great Leap are both a bit pointless when you have wings.  Admittedly, a Battle Shouting Windling is an amusing image, but otherwise the only reason I could see to even try that would be like, on a dare.  It just seems like bad planning.

Running a Windling Warrior next to a Troll Troubadour does seem exceptionally appropriate, though, I have to admit.  I'm not going to discard that possibility yet, but I agree - even two Windlings in a party is pushing it, and I believe Spvnky wants one a lot more than I do.


I'm kind of waiting to see what Spvnky and Iz2 want to do.  I have a lot of flexibility, so I'm pretty happy to pick last, even if we're not feeling that pressure to have a "standard party".  (On which note, I did want to say, I see what you mean about needing a spellcaster, but I think that's actually less necessary in Earthdawn than, say, D&D.  In Earthdawn, we're all magical.)

For whom it may concern, I've unlocked the character sheets for use... at least I think I did. I hope it worked. It's been awhile since I've used the function on this site, admittedly, but if it's not working as it should, let me know and I go see about fixing it.

Mine is open!  Thanks!

Oh, as an aside...


puts hand back down quickly

...I mean, I don't have a real problem with it and it seems to make everyone else happy, and I don't think there's any real harm to it.  But I find 30 points makes things a little too easy.  I'd rather have meaningful choices than everything handed to me, overall.  Like I say, not arguing against it in this game, but as a matter of... philosophy, I guess?  I think the designers put it at 25 for good reasons.  Especially in 4e - Josh and Morgan know the Mathematics of Earthdawn really well.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:01, Sun 12 Apr 2020.

that's what the Windmaster is for.

As for the 25vs30, I had serious internal arguments over where to spend points with both. I'm still not sure Smiling Tim (not his real name) shouldn't have saved a point for Karma at either level.

In the debate of 25vs30, I'm perfectly willing to allow for the final decision to be among the group. It honestly matters very little for me overall one way or the other, since any NPC I actually feel the need to fully stat out for whatever reason are going to be using the 25. But I tend to fall under the belief that adventurers are adventurers for a reason, and that usually translates to them being the exceptional few willing to do things.

A little less of a thing in Earthdawn, since Adepts are at the least relatively common enough to be recognized as such, but there it is.

Spvnky has, unfortunately, bowed out of the game for reasons I won't fault them for. Another has come to replace our lost traveler, however, and I'm sure they'll pop in to announce themselves whenever they get the chance.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:47, Sun 12 Apr 2020.

Hallo hallo! Sorry I'm late to the party. I have some experience with ED, and a lot more with other systems, so hopefully I won't get in the way too much.

I see we're still coming up with party concepts. I'm not exactly stressed about the number of windlings in the group, so I'll just go with the flow on that. It looks like people are leaning to more fighty concepts so far, so if you're looking for a more magical type, I'm happy to make an elementalist or something. Just let me know where we land on the windling thing.

I think the general consensus was that an all windling group was not the way to go. I also believe, as of this moment, there's only one confirmed windling(2tricky), and other than that the others were generally leaning in other directions.

Okay. I'll start hammering out some character ideas and promise not to be upset if the consensus swings back the other way then lol

I don't think there was ever actually a consensus to do all Windlings.

In reply to Utsukushi (msg # 35):

There wasn't it was just that everybody expressed an interest in playing one and I decided to make a joke about it before deciding I'd rather talk about a more diversified group composition.
Hopefully we'll land on a single Windling. Who that is is not up to me to decide.

I believe I am the first finished character. Do we want an intro (Race, Discipline, personality) here or in another thread?

I'm definitely playing a Windling.  Concept clarified.  Just deciding on chose or two Disciplines, both work for what I have in mind.

In reply to savioronedge (msg # 37):

I had the thought of creating a dramatis personae thread, to keep track of NPC's and update it with new information about each character as it comes up. Perhaps letting you all use it to add your own notes and observations of each as well. Who's who from your point of view. If that's a thing that sound appealing, I don't mind letting everyone use it for the purpose of general introduction either. A sort of who you were before Kavos sort of feel.

I'd also thought about the concept of the group's Legend Journal. It makes mention within the core books that its a common practice, especially for adventurers, since stories and legends are so important in Earthdawn. I thought it'd be an interesting way to summarize the events of each adventure or arc, while also letting you as the players give your input from your character's perspectives on what happened. I'm not sure how much stock or time is actually put into said Legend Journal by players regularly, but the thought was there.

Regardless, if you'd like to give a brief overview of the character here, savior, that would probably help others who haven't finalized their concept decide on what they might like to go for in their characters.

That sounds like a good idea to me. It's nice to have things like that in a consolidated place that's easy to look back and check.

On another subject, are we using the Using All Talents to Advance optional rule from page 453? Obviously, it doesn't really affect character creation very much, but if we're expecting to go through the early circles quickly, it's likely to come up pretty early on.

In reply to The Teller of Tales (msg # 39):

Yartok is a big guy; a big, goofy looking guy; even for a Troll.

At just under 9' tall (a few inches over if you count his right horn) he easily draws the attention of most namegivers in any area he enters. Those who know Troll customs figure out quickly that Yartok has woven his Katorr to this concept; his honor, his pride, comes from being funny.

He has gray-tinging-on-green skin and dark hair. His right horn sticks up in a fairly tight spiral, about 5" at widest and about 4" up. His left horn curls behind his ear and around to his jaw [ooc note: imagine an extra wide boom for a mic on a gaming headset...it doesn't go in front of his mouth, but looks like it is supposed to.] His hands are somewhat smaller than you would imagine from his height, but still big enough for an average windling to hide inside a loose fist.

This young Troll has three driving goals: to Learn all he can of the world, to find and present the humor and joy in everyday living, and to help the less fortunate. Unfortunately, he is convinced that Trolls are the ultimate race and while obsidemen are nearly as good, everyone else is "less fortunate" by sheer virtue of being too small. [I expect him to learn better very quickly during play] Sometimes his earnest desire to help will come off as condescending or just plain rude; but his heart is in the right place.

He is outfitted for information gathering, not for combat. Although he is wearing padded leather armor, his only weapon is a modified Dwarf sword he usses as an eating knife. Of course, if one were to make him mad, one might find out that this gentle giant has the strength to make one wish they were facing a smaller opponent with a weapon.

«The floor is open for questions»
This message was last edited by the player at 04:07, Tue 14 Apr 2020.

So... The characters as I see them now.

Saviour: Yartok, Troll Troubadour
Iz2tricky: Didymus, Windling Swordsmaster (or Cavalryman)
Rystefn: Undecided.
Utsukushi: Undecided.
Me: Pending (Waiting for the rest of the crew and will fill in. Human Airsailor or Scout is currently strong options)

Rystefn.
I don't know what the ruling is, but I think the optional rules are foregone until they are either coming up in play or the GM has a better grasp with the Earthdawn world.
In other words; it is only the discipline talents that needs to get to the required Ranks before advancing (No matter what I will object if we need to increase the Free Talents to advance).

In reply to Rystefn (msg # 40):

I don't currently plan on using the the All Talents to Advance Rule, but likewise I'm not against it if the majority of players would prefer to use it. My own personal feelings on the matter are that it is that the Discipline Talents requirement is there because you are following a Discipline, and it is these core Talents that make up the core of your Discipline. Without them, it is no longer that Discipline but something else.

But that's just a personal view, and as I've said, if the majority of players would prefer it another way, I don't honestly mind too much.

And no Arachne, I don't plan on treating Free Talents as Discipline Talents. They are given freely, and are not a requirement unless stated so by the Discipline itself.

So, I'm looking at a Human Warrior at the moment.  If I go with that, what do people think about Tactics?  Personally I find it kind of bossy, but it would fit my concept.  Is it going to annoy anyone (players or GM!) if I take Tactics with the intent of actually using it?

To put it the other way, I certainly won't be annoyed if not everyone follows along all the time, but I think I would be annoyed if no one listens ever, if that makes sense.

It makes perfect sense. ^_^
This message was last edited by the player at 18:35, Tue 14 Apr 2020.

I support it. Give me all the buffs, please. lol

Also, I'm making a human elementalist at the moment, but I'd be willing to swap to wizard if are more into that.

In reply to Rystefn (msg # 46):

No I prefer the Elementalist ^_^

So the Party Composition so far is

Iz2tricky: Windling Cavalryman Swordsmaster.
Rystefn: Human Elementalist
Teller of Tales: Everything
Utsukushi: Human Warrior
Yartok: Troll Troubadour.

I haven't decided between a Scout and an Airsailor.
What would people rather I took?
This message was last edited by the player at 18:05, Tue 14 Apr 2020.

AHAHAHAHAHAHA! I AM ALL POWERFUL!

Within the limitations of world setting and mechanics provided...

In reply to The Teller of Tales (msg # 43) re: reply:


Free talents are always at Current Circle for rank (pg 85), and therefore cannot be required to be advanced.

The optional rule allows for use of Optional Talents in the place of Discipline Talents. Instead of "These 5 are needed, then These 6 then...," it's "5 of these 6, then 6 of these 8... unless you are a Human or non-mage-windling."

In general I agree with Teller, unless there is a compelling reason why a character should be allowed to advance while straying from the discipline (Windling Scout doesn't need to Climb...)

I don't consider it straying from the Discipline, really. All the optional Talents are still on-theme for the Discipline in question. It must gives a little more flexibility so you don't have the same degree of everyone in the Discipline being more or less carbon copies of each other you get with the standard rules. But it's not that big of a deal. I'm perfectly happy to play the standard rules.

I get you. And obviously, the Optional Talents are there to allow variation. Otherwise there would only be 4 talents to choose from so every member of each Discipline would have the same talents by 4th.

I am totally unopposed to the optional rule. I just feel like there is a, well, Patern to each Discipline that builds its power, providing those Defense boosts and Karma bonuses. Straying too far from the Patern should have some consequences, IMNSHO. Thus the Windling who can get to the top of the cliff without climbing still fits the Pattern, but the Obsidemen Archer who never practiced True Shot because he doesn't have the Karma to spare is maybe not ready to advance.

I think we both agree that this decision is not a make-or-break matter. Particularly not at Creation.

100% with you there. I have a mild preference towards Using All talents, but I'm not really bothered if it's not used. Especially since I'm playing a caster, and spell loadout is a pretty solid way to customize and differentiate for those classes.

So that is

Arachne: Uncertain (Not voted).
Iz2tricky: Undecided (Not voted).
Rystefn: Pro-optimised rules.
Teller of Tales: Undisputing any decision.
Utsukushi: Undisclosed (Not voted).
Yartok: Pro-Base Rules.

If I got that right it appears that we have two for Pro-Optimised Talent Rules and the rest of us are fine as long as the rule is easily understood and followed.

So I say we can, with unabated breath and unwavering stance, unite unanimously and unilaterally behind the unified Optional rules.

Are we in unison about that?

So that is
-one Mildly pro-optional rules stating amount of Talents sacrimental for advancement.
-one Mildly pro-optional rules exempting certain Talents from advancement requirements with GM approval.
-two undecided.
-GM awaiting further arguments.

Is that right?
This message was last edited by the player at 07:33, Wed 15 Apr 2020.

In reply to Arachne (msg # 53):

I am pro RAW on Talents for advancement, Rystefn is pro-optional(though not using it for their own advancement), but neither of us care enough to push against anyone who feels strongly.

I've updated last text to reflect this.

I'd rather we stuck to the rule that you need normal number of Ranks in given Talents to progress.  I feel that since progression is about the Character developing the Discipline, then this is what it should reflect.  The Novice/Initiate Talents should only be included if they reflect the Discipline, which some do.

Having said this, if the Character development in that Discipline improves their legend, then as long as it's the same minimum as just Discipline Talents, then that should, with DM approval, be ok too.

I'm sure I've confused myself here.

In reply to Utsukushi (msg # 44):
Re: Tactics

Yartok will Start off not trusting that a non-troll knows anything about tactics... Which is particularly noteworthy in that he doesn't know anything about tactics, or weapons, or fighting really.

I think it would be wonderful for you to have tactics, and for the big guy to learn "the error of [his] mistake."

So I'm getting an idea of a kind of mischievous joker type for my elementalist. Don't worry, not going full-on Kender or anything, just the sort of person that always looks on the bright side, and occasionally puts a frog in your bedroll or something like that. Grabbing some Stealthy Stride skill for fun and profit.

If anyone has any spell suggestions, I'm happy to take it into consideration. My tentative list is: Air Armor, Flame Weapon, Earth Darts, Heat Food, Shelter, Purify Earth, and Purify Water. Probably rolling with Air Armor, Flame Weapon, and Earth Darts most of the time, then swapping in the others as needed/desired (you'll pretty much always have enough time to put Shelter in a matrix before you actually lay down to sleep, after all).

In reply to Rystefn (msg # 58):

That's the list I was going to take, except I dropped the Purifys to take Air Mattress so I wouldn't have to Learn it once I hit 2nd.

[Edit: Clarification: If we went Windling]
This message was last edited by the player at 01:05, Thu 16 Apr 2020.

In reply to Yartok (msg # 59):

I'd take the Air Matress as you can affect multiple targets and healing.

We'll split the work.
Yartok provides the dinner entertainment, iz2tricky cooks, Utsukushi does the dishes, Rystefn makes the beds and I keep out of everyones hair.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:26, Thu 16 Apr 2020.

Since we're steadily getting closer to the beginning of our story, characters coming together nicely, I suppose I shall ask these questions now.

Does anyone have any objections to me upping the Age Category of the game to at least Mature, to allow some more freedom in writing?(though I have nothing against going all the way to Adult if you all would prefer I do so)

The next is the various homes of the characters. I have two who are choosing to be natives of Kavos, and one who I'm uncertain about but which comes across to me as a foreigner.

Tomyris and tricky(Who I think has a character name now so I should probably go change that) are both choosing to be natives of the island.

Yartock is I believe a foreigner coming into the island? If that's not the case, and Yartock is in fact wishing to be a native, than that's entirely fixable.

The home of origin won't change anything story wise(beyond perhaps what a specific arc having to do with a specific character will look like), but it is something I'd like to know simply so the initial stages of my tentative plans are properly worked on without assuming anything.

Adult is fine by me as long as I'm not being recruited to write smut. ^_^'

This ↑ . I don't intend to use language that is NSFW, but I am not opposed to it.

I see Yartok as on the Troll equivalent of rumspringa...he is out looking to share his stories and learn more so he can eventually bring them home, and he has traveled surprisingly fat in the little time he's been gone.

Sorry - I've been a little busy with work the last couple of days, but I will try to get my character written up tomorrow!  I am looking at her as someone travelling from Barsaive too, so Yartok won't be alone in being new to the island.

Agreed with Tomyris and Yartok on ratings.  I do lean towards at least Mature for Earthdawn just because it is a horror game, too, so if you're looking to include any of those elements it might be important.

No worries, take your time. Life and work take precedence over fun, as much as we might not wish it so.

I'm fine but won't necessarily be using it as Character.

I support Mature rating. I'm not opposed to Adult rating so we don't have to tiptoe around everything, but I'd rather not see it be an excuse to all super grimdark about everything or whatever. If it does to smut places, though, I'd recommend making a separate thread for it so people who aren't interested can easily avoid it.

Also, I'm leaning towards coming from Barsaive, but I'm totally flexible on that.

This ^^^^

Looks like we are all in agreement.
We vote for Adult for the possibility of hearing profanity from lowlifes while none of us are, at present, interested in actively seeking them out.

OK, I have posted my character in my character sheet!  I'll give Teller a chance to look it over, shriek in horror and tell me that no, no, this is absolutely not acceptable and I will have to start over, before I put together a general introductory post like Yartok's.

In reply to Utsukushi (msg # 71):

I didn't get any complaints. I did make some alterations to the sheet format...

I believe the posted sheet is 3rd edition?

*SHRIEK*

20/20 vision?! You monster!

But in all seriousness, it looks fine to me. You have a reason to be heading to the island, I honestly trust all of your abilities to calculate numbers and follow the mechanics of the game better than me at this point in time(unless you honestly want me to go through and double check the numbers, which I can do if it's desired). Overall, done and done.

I think the sheets were meant for 3rd edition, yes, but honestly the overall mechanics don't seem to have changed too much, so if you feel the need to modify to make more sense to you, go nuts. I'm not going to stop you.

I think we''re only waiting on Rystefn? Maybe Hornet to finish up a few minor things here or there, but otherwise we should be just about there.

I suppose I haven't updated my equipment beyond the Armor and Weapon...(Trolls can use neither Daggers nor Knives, so I chose the cheapest size 2 blade for my freebe), the joys of doing some edits from my phone and some on my laptop using Google Sheets for my character generator.

Reminds me I don't have enough strength to use a broadsword. ^_^'

In reply to Tomyris (msg # 75):

Maui singing to Moana at first meeting.

I just need to finalize my spells and my gear, and I should be good. I'm going grocery shopping in the morning and trying to avoid crowds of idiots, but I should be able to get it up at some point in the day, depending on how long that takes.

In reply to Yartok (msg # 76):

Affectionately headbutts Yartok in greeting.

And Rystefn.
It's weekend, quarantine-time and winter.
I know people are as eager as I to get started, but I also think we're used to waiting by now.

Take your time and enjoy the process. ^_^

Yeah, it's actually not too hard to have straight 35s in all your Attributes if you know how the game works...  and the 68 Talent points?  Those come from the mumblemumble rule on page murflemumble.  I knew that 20/20 vision was pushing it, though!  Most Half-Munchkins are nearsighted.  (Full-Munchkins, of course, are farsighted, because that doesn't interfere with their ranged attacks and who cares about reading?)


...OK, I'm going to admit, I would have missed that.

The only thing that really jumped out at me with the sheet was listing Karma Ritual under Talents, since that's really not a thing anymore.  I know it started as a 3rd Edition sheet, but someone (I'm guessing Tomyris?) did a pretty good job of cleaning it up for us already.

In reply to Stendara (msg # 79):

Guilty.
^_^'

Must admit I didn't look too closely and just focused on removing all the traces I could find of the previous owner.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:17, Sat 18 Apr 2020.

Have we started on the Adult/Mature language already? :-o

No!! ok.
My bad.

That....... I admit, I didn't see that before, but taken out of context I can't unsee it...

I still don't get it...

Break it down into a few words at a time.  But do you really want to see it?
Ok, stopping there.  Tiredness if affecting my inner smut free Adultnessness

In reply to Hornet (msg # 84):

I'm sorry.
I can never wrap my head around these things...
This message was last edited by the player at 18:27, Sat 18 Apr 2020.

It's a good thing.

I've just got SKILLS to sort out and will then be ready, Thundra Beast below me as I ride with my full sized Lance and knights armour with bright orange feathers at either side of his helmet, into the city and announce I'm the new lord of this place.

No, seriously, he doesn't have these silly feathers ;-) LOL

Will do Intro soon.

How are we doing for light sources? Since I don't have to buy a weapon, I have some extra cash, so buying a lantern and some oil is no big deal.

I think a torch is part of the Adventurors starter pack.
Apart from that I don't think we're given anything else.

It is. But you're also given 100sp, so there's a chance that other people had already grabbed lights.But, given the cost of weapons and armor, I'm basically running on the assumption that most people didn't.

Well.
Hornet has access to Astral Sensitive Sight.
Yartok has heatvision.
The rest of us could use lights.
I think you have the ability to create fire magically, but I'm uncertain what spells you ended up having.
What I really wish for as a light source is lightquartz. Much less sensitive to build up pockets of gas or... Say lighting an airship on fire.

I picked up 2 writing kits, so I have some candles. But, yes, I am relying on my heat vision for exploration/combat in the dark.

But it would keep everyone warm who were on board!!  They have torches and a brazier for a fire.
Besides, when we burn the corpses, there'll be plenty of light.

Bam! Character posted.

I think that essentialy covers everyone, barring the few last minute adjustments and tallying up the costs of things. That can be finished up nicely as we go through the prelude of our story however.

I'll see about throwing up the first introductory thread, and we can get underway, allow everyone to get some initial interaction in and see how everyone fits together before I start throwing things at you all to deal with.

Oh no! You've run out of lamp oil! Whatever shall you do?

Sounds good to me. ^_^

Noooo!  Not the lamp oil!  Now our torches won't work.

And so our story begins.

For those of you who are travelers... well you're travelers on the ship Serendipitous Fortune. Our Princess is a bit more of an important traveler, hence referencing her. Our two natives of Kavos are, for the moment, working aboard the ship as crew members, but may move about as they wish regardless.

Be free, my legend crafters. Be free and craft your legends.

Side note, we may have one more joining us, but I'm not going to delay things any longer now that our group is ready to go. If we do gain one more, I'll find a good place to drop them in... or just assume they were there the whole time! Gasp! Who knew!?
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:21, Mon 20 Apr 2020.

Hey all, Windling Weaponsmith reporting in.

What can i say... small hands equals finer craftsmanship ;)

Welcome aboard. ^_^

Please follow the safety instructions and locate the emergency exits.
The crews orders must be followed at all times.

What if we just stay out of the way instead of following the orders?

As long as you stay aboard I suppose.
And thank you for sailing The Fortune.
We hope it will be a pleasant journey.

In reply to Tomyris (msg # 101):

It's been lovely thank you.  Getting paid to mess around in the rigging at night and keep watch.  Buzz loved it too.

Welcome, Mellisandre!  How did you know I've been looking for a suit of armor for Sir Teddington?

Thanks!

Still trying to learn more techniques for working with armor, and i'd need a smithy, but i could give it a try. What kind of armor would you be looking for?

In reply to Mellisandre (msg # 104):

I'll take anything made out of Crystal at the current time. ^_^
Won't mind if you add a bit of buoyancy though.

For Sir Teddington, I was thinking Living Cotton Candy.

Hmm....

Well, it's possible. If you're looking for something on a budget however, for a mere 200 sp i could implant some Crystal in hide, or 160 for hardened leather. It'd suffer a bit in physical protection, but in terms of Mystical you'd be right up there with Blood Pebble and Fernweave at a fraction of the cost, which also means less in yearly maintenance. It wouldn't really be made for that though, so it'll be slightly harder to move around in unless you start mixing in True Air, but then you'd be better off just buying a set of regular Crystal armor instead.

As for Sir Teddington... If it needs to be edible, i could recommend a set of Fernweave with strawberry plants mixed into it?

*sigh*
Yartok. Sing me a song.
I promise I'll try to swoon.

There once was a singer sublime,
Who sang almost all of the time,
He'd start up a song,
Folks would sing along,
But fail'cause his words didn't match.

Hahahaha

In reply to Yartok (msg # 109):

Ah limericks.
Fun all around. ^_^

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUUDypEDNQ

Soon, dear players... soon we shall see if our intrepid heroes are truly a band worthy of legends... or at least a good stiff drink in a tavern.

Will there be Sea Shanties? :D
This message was last edited by the player at 19:06, Sat 25 Apr 2020.

No rolling and swaying though once drinks have been had, be enough of that without the floor actually moving.

Eventually, you will all be referring to me as "Yar".

Keep dreaming, Y.

In reply to Stendara (msg # 116):

But "Rrrrrrrr" be me favourite letter...

"Oooooooo"

Sssssssh! ^_^'

I don't know who might be interested, but I am nearly close to most of the way done with my ED4E character gen/tracker.

Right now, it only accurately accounts for Racial Abilities for Trolls and Windlings.
It is only intended for up to 8th Circle, though I do have plans to expand to 15th.
It currently only supports Air Sailer, Archer, Elementalist, and Troubadour, and some of those are not complete yet; but the method of adding the rest is set.

If any of you like/want this, let me know.

https://docs.google.com/spread...LSI/edit?usp=sharing

I think you sent the wrong link...
That is a spreadsheet. ^_^'
I'm very interested though.

Did a little digging and found these.
https://sourceforge.net/projects/ed-char-editor/
http://www.secondstep.dk/versions.aspx
https://earthdawn.blogspot.com...cter-generators.html
https://www.behindthemirrors.d...aracter.html?lp=6000
This message was last edited by the player at 06:17, Thu 30 Apr 2020.

In reply to Tomyris (msg # 121):

It is a Google Sheets spreadsheet. Most of the heavy lifting is on Sheet1, with Output on Character Sheet, and data on the others.

I have not figured out how I want to handle Versatility, so this may never be suitable for a Human...

Whenever I use another person's Creator (any game) I always end up thinking, "Why'd they do that, Why didn't they do this?" and various other questions.

I've put about 12 good hours into this one, so I'm not surprised it's still a WIP.

Oh sorry.
I thought it was a generator like the Behindthemirrors.
I'll look at yours again. ^_^

In reply to Yartok (msg # 120):

I'd use it but it's not created for me :'(

In reply to Hornet (msg # 124):

I have all (core) races correct for Stats. I still need to figure out Versatility...

If there's a Discipline I need to add ASAP, let me know.

My next step is going to be making Equipment DropDown selectable (I think)

In reply to Yartok (msg # 125):

Versatility... I don't know how the program works under the hood, but treating it like a Talent Option would work, right? I mean, you'd get a list of stuff to choose from, it's just that for Versatility, it doesn't have the restricted lists one would normally have for a Discipline.

You could always have it that when Versitility was selected, a second list was brought up that auto added "Versitility: New Skill/Talent", where the latter would be shown rather than just Versitility.

What has eight heads, eight arms and eight legs?
Answer:

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Eight pirates.

---

So I take it everybody want to fight this fight...?

In reply to Tomyris (msg # 128):

Hahahaha...  Wooden legs are still legs though :-p

"I'm sure it's just a local farmer out for a pleasure cruise, through eel infested waters."

"He's still following us? Inconceivable!"

Happy Star Trek Day Everybody! ^_^

May the Fourth be with you.

Question: Does the Flameweapon spell work on bows, or would it need to be cast on the arrows? Because I feel like that would make "shoot up their sails to slow them down" a much stronger plan.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:05, Mon 04 May 2020.

It'd be funny if it'd set the bow itself on fire :P

:-o STAR TREK :-o

Happy Star WARS Day

It could always set said bow on fire thus lighting the fletching's of each arrow making them flame arrows!!!

In reply to Hornet (msg # 136):

In reply to Rafe (msg # 133):

I will personally say that using the flameweapon spell on a bow  will be enough to count. The arrows fired from the weapon would be treated as one fire for the purposes of damage and setting things on fire.

Cool. Good to know.

I suppose I shall state this now, more for the sake of keeping things moving roughly along, and since my next post will be the initiation of combat after everyone gets a nice preparatory post in, so...

Roll for initiative.

Speaking of which...
Could you please set the Diceroller to Earthdawn as default? :)

My apologies. Oh wise one. Please forgive my lapse in attention and temporary idiocy.

No worries. ^_^
Just makes things easier.
And thank you. ^_^

When the ship is closer, within projectile range for instance, then I'll roll initiative, otherwise Hornet is still deciding what to do, so I can not say what my Sept Die is.

Initiative should just be your Dexterity step minus armor modifiers, unless I'm mistaken as to the rules. If I am, I'd appreciate being corrected and directed to the proper information.

As of this moments, current initiative order is as follows:

Stendara
Pirates
Mellisandre
Yartok
Rafe
Crewmembers
Tomyris

Hornet Pending Placement, as needed.

Stendara actually has three successes, surprisingly enough, but then I wasn't expecting anyone to throw up a 16 on a roll quite so soon... oh well, the dice gods whims are ever shifting, Allocate them as you please, Princess.

I'll be putting up a proper post shortly, and then I'll be passing it over to Stendara for the first round of combat. Let's get our hands bloody, hm?

In reply to The Teller of Tales (msg # 145):

You are correct DM however, there are Talents that affect Initiative.  I'm not sure if I have any but will roll anyway as I've decided what to do.  I'll edit my previous post.

GM and almighty being.

Before we proceed I'd like to know the result of our Majestys Tactician roll.
She rolled a 16 against the highest Social Defense of our opponents.
How many successes is that?

:)

Ah... I put it in my previous post, but I can see how that wasn't very clear.

Stendara rolled a 16 for Tactics, making it 3 successes against a Social Defense of 6. I think I did the math right. I could be wrong.

Updated Initiative Order is as follows:

Stendara
Pirates
Mellisandre
Hornet
Yartok
Rafe
Crewmembers
Tomyris

In reply to The Teller of Tales (msg # 148):

Attack done boss.

Oh, so, it wasn't me, but this question actually just came up on the FASA Discord a couple days ago and the official response was that it would have to be cast on each individual arrow.  You could cast it on a bow, but then it would only apply if you were hitting someone over the head with your bow.

I know Teller already said it was OK to have it work here and obviously I don't have any problem with that, but since it came up and got a response from one of the devs I guess I started to feel like not mentioning it was kind of cheating. grin


That's how numbers seem to work to me.  They need to get themselves a more charismatic leader.

Tomyris, I put it in my IC post too, but just to be sure, I'm allocating +2 to Attack rolls and +1 to Damage rolls.  Stendara has Rank 2 Tactics, so that will last for two minutes if, you know, nothing important changes.

It is accounted for. ^_^
My Melee is Rank 9.
However GM pointed out the next person to post is Mellisandre.
So I'm delayign my failure until after our Crewmen. ^_^'
I'm a little annoyed I forgot to add Karma though. Next time. Next time.

In reply to Stendara (msg # 150):

Doe we all get that bonus?

In reply to Hornet (msg # 152):



So up to 40 of us if we trust her enough. ^_^
This message was last edited by the player at 18:58, Thu 07 May 2020.

Whoops.

I read the post a few days ago, but then i forgot to write a post myself, and with the post count number returning to white it didn't occur to me that it was my turn.

That'll teach me to check RPoL when i'm not home :P

Anyway, will get a post in in a couple of hours. If it happens again, don't be afraid to nudge me in PM, it's perfectly fine ^^;

GM.
How angry will Captain be if I decide to go after their captain instead of protecting the princess?

You know him, and Agnar is a fairly pragmatic captain as captains go. So long as the results are good, he's willing to forgive and forget slight bending of the meaning behind his orders. After all, it could be construed as defending the princess if you take out their Captain and force their ship to surrender.

But it's up to you if you want to jump to their ship and be surrounded by pirates.

The big guy is sure that "Speach" will drive them all away. With that roll, I would be surprised if any of them even notice.

Ah... Hornet is supposed to be doing a thing, huh? The player told me they'd be busy, but I know what they planned on doing, and rolling has already been taken care of, so I'll throw up a post for it, and then I believe Rafe is up to the plate.

As for Yartok... I think someone would notice... just, you know, to stab him in the belly.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:50, Sat 09 May 2020.

In reply to The Teller of Tales (msg # 158):

Thank you GM.  As you can see, I was waylaid.  Very much appreciated.

Sorry, holiday weekend and all. I'll get a post up now. Just let me catch up on what happened the last couple of days real quick in case I need to adjust the plan.

No worries. Life happens, and takes precedence over the interwebs. Despite how much we might sometimes wish otherwise.

In another note, I'm going to poll the opinions of the players in two matters.

On the matter of Karma: Since it's not possible to put the added Karma dice in the same roll as normal roll, should Karma expenditure be something declared before hand, or should it be allowed to add it after the fact to avoid critical failures/increase success threshholds? I'm fine with either, and can justify both in my opinion, so I figured I'd toss it to the crowd for their two cents.

On the matter of Initiative: The rules state we'd be rolling initiative for every singe round, which I'm fine with. But that could get hectic with everyone, so I figured I'd poll the crowd on that as well. We could take the usual approach of RPG's and just use the same initiative for the whole combat, or use the Earthdawn rules. Once again, I'm fine with either one, but I figured I'd ask the crowd. If it's the former, perhaps it would be helpful to add your next rounds imitative to your posts, so that we can smoothly transition relatively easily.

Hope your family had a great weekend, Rafe!

Personally I prefer RAW on both counts.  Karma in 4th Edition is balanced differently than it has been in the past -- it's free and pretty plentiful (maybe less so at 1st Circle, but it grows fast) and you're expected to spend it.  Back when it cost LPs I thought it made sense to only spend it when it mattered, but under 4E I really think it works best on a more, "This roll matters to me" basis.

The way I handle it in my game is just to say that either you roll the Karma first, or you have to mention that you plan to in your "Reason To Roll" line.  Either way establishes that Karma is going to happen before you know how well you rolled.


And Initiative... yes, it *can* get clunky in any game, but Earthdawn has too many cases where Initiative comparisons matter.  I thought about just using static Initiative and it really falls apart once anyone has something like Swift Kick or Anticipate Blow, and even Talents like Maneuver that don't need a higher Initiative to function at all still benefit from it.  It means that with a lucky roll like I got this time, I can (once I have those) just rule the battle pretty freely, while an unlucky roll could leave a Warrior or Swordmaster with half their Talents crippled or completely off the table.

And when you add in things like Air Dance and Tiger Spring it really falls apart.  If I only have to spend two Strain in the first round to establish a hopefully-awesome Initiative for the whole battle, that's way OP.  If it's set up so that like, I do that, and then I have to keep spending those Strain every round to keep it for the whole battle, that either makes them much too risky or... well, the alternative is I can choose not to, presumably re-rolling, and then that gives me way too much direct control, especially when I have a hard number to compare to.

...So... yeah, Karma, my vote is it has to be planned ahead of time because that's what 4e is balanced for, but I don't think it ruins anything to do it otherwise.  Initiative I'm afraid I think has to be re-rolled every round.  Combat in ED just revolves around that.  I do think rolling it for the next round at the end of your post for each round makes total sense, though.


Also, Stendara is the prettiest, and the smartest, and she should get a 20% cut of everyone's silver and LP, and... oh, gosh, has someone posted since I did?  I didn't even see that!  I wonder what they said.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:37, Mon 11 May 2020.

That's better than I could have said it, and convinced me on a couple of points I didn't even think of, so yeah... Agreement with all of the above.

It's a good idea, so i'm in favor as well.

Initiative: Another Earthdawn GM i've played under used to have us roll Initiative in batches of 5, so instead of rolling Initiative each round, we'd roll for Rounds 1-5 at the start of the fight, 6-10 in Round 6 etc.

Was a nice way to handle it, especially since people *cough*me*cough* can tend to forget making an Initiative roll in their combat posts every now and then, which messes with the flow of combat.

Tactics: Umm... The Attack and damage bonuses are static +es to the roll, right? And everyone's adding them correctly? :)
This message was last edited by the player at 21:22, Mon 11 May 2020.

In reply to Stendara (msg # 163):

I agree with Stendara (except for the 20% thingy, which as a Royal, she should be paying us as a Good Will gesture or Retainer)

Rolling Karma beforehand means you Have to have it.  This means you can't just change your mind if you get a good roll for the Talent you are using.

Rolling Initiative every round works.  If you did it every other round, this could too but what if an Initiative Affecting Talent is being used?  So every round rolled at end of what you are doing this round, ready for next round works.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:07, Mon 11 May 2020.

Except:Also, Stendara is the prettiest, and the smartest, and she should get a 20% cut of everyone's silver and LP,

of course

Only when the party's at 4 people or less ;)

In reply to Stendara (msg # 163):

Well, this seems to have everyone's support, and I'm in agreement with it as well, so it works out. We'll use these rules for governing both Karma and Initiative. State that Karma use is getting tossed in along with the reason for the roll, and initiative rolls for every round. If you can, simply attach the next rounds initiative to your posts, and I'll bring it all together at the end of the round, but don't stress too much if you forget. I'm not that much a stickler for it.

Which brings us to that very topic. Round 2, everybody! Roll Initiative!

Already rolled a 1.
Want me to roll another? :)

I go on 2!  That's twice as fast as Tomyris!

This does not seem to be our round for Initiative.  Hornet?  I'm counting on you to bring up the average.

In reply to Stendara (msg # 171):

Hornet got a 7 for Initiative.  Not sure if there is a bonus with CHARGE or not.

Oh My Fooking Gosh.  Just read the CHARGING for Mounted Combat.  The CHARGE Talent says it is in addition to the normal mounted combat rules.  This may be devastating.  Also, may need help calculating it all.

If i remember correctly...

Your STR Step + Your Weapon's Damage Step + Your Mount's STR Step + Ranks in the Charge Talent?

So yeah, there's a reason why setting against a charge is specifically called out as being an option in combat.

Charging can be terrifying, even from a Windling.  But I'm not actually sure you can use it here.  The Kue has a Movement rate of 16, and to use Charge you have to move in a straight line at a rate higher than the mount's movement rate.  So that's at least 50 feet in a straight line and I don't know if the boat we're on is big enough to offer that?

Maybe just barely if Hornet was going to try to Charge and launch himself at something to the aft or forward of the ship. Side to side, I don't think there'd be enough room for a proper charge.

In reply to The Teller of Tales (msg # 176):

How about 'Death From Above'?

Rafe also has a 1. Not so hot with the initiative at the moment.

Exactly! We have a Crow's Nest, and i don't think it says anywhere the charge distance can't be straight down.

I also don't think it says you can't Charge across two ships to take out a Pirate Captain either ;-)

I think everybody is acting late in our turn is for the patrolship to have time to get to us.


Really depends on obstacles and pirates between you and him I'd venture. :)
This message was last edited by the player at 06:29, Wed 13 May 2020.

Charge damage on the punch location chart is always good, but it's usually better with a heavier mech.

Hahahahaha, especially if it's not punch drunk already.  Clogs the Cogs too much punch

 But then you couldn't add bonus Steps for Plummeting Mount Damage.

Eh... I mean Down Strike.

In reply to Mellisandre (msg # 184):

I don't have down strike, that would be flying, Buzz would be charging down the Rigging.

Nah, Down Strike only requires you to be higher up than the target. Works with flying, jumping, falling, climbing, riding a tall enough mount, standing on a table, a sufficiently steep hill... it's surprisingly flexible, really.

In reply to Rafe (msg # 186):

Not a Talent or Skill Hornet possesses, he does have Charge though.  He'll charge about 100 Gold.

In reply to Hornet (msg # 187):

Once you get to Journeyman it becomes available as a Skill, so...

Current Round Initiative Order is as follows:

Hornet
Mellisandre
Pirates
Crew
Stendara
Rafe/Tomyris/Yartok

Unless I'm mistaken in someone's initative roll, in which case feel free to correct me.

In reply to The Teller of Tales (msg # 189):

Hornet steers Buzz over and up the rigging, not trained for Combat yet, Hornet gives Buzz his head whilst he focuses on slashing at Pirates as he goes by.  Have at you Pirate you

OOC:  I put Karma for Melee but it rolled at step 8, so I titled the Karma roll Attack-Melee, just so you know it was being used.

Karma  = 5
Attack = 5
Total Attack = 10 (I believe this is a hit)

Damage with Sword = 9
This message was last edited by the player at 22:29, Wed 13 May 2020.

In reply to Hornet (msg # 190):

*psst*

Wrong thread ^^;

No, no, he just spotted that pirate who was attempting to board the OOC thread!  Dastardly pirates break all the rules!

In reply to Mellisandre (msg # 191):

*pssst*
Mellisandre... Your turn is up.

And done. My previous (OOC) post was in the early morning hours so i was a little too tired to put a post together.

So yeah... I just punched someone for 11 damage. You big people know what you need to beat now. :P

That said, haven't gotten my question answered yet, likely because it was missed in the discussion on what to do about Initiative:

 

Are the bonuses from Tactics added to the end result of the roll, or are they Step bonuses? The book doesn't really specify ("+1 bonus to their Attack or Damage tests") so i'd like to be sure, as that means i'd have to adjust my rolls next round.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:03, Thu 14 May 2020.

I always saw them as step bonuses.
As far as I see it 4th Ed. is much more fluent when it comes to the stepnumber rolled.

Yeah, in this case i'd rather be sure. It'd be the difference between an extra +2 Step to the damage roll (14) or not (12), which i forgot to add anyway, so it'd be a 3 Step gap in this round for me. That can add up.

Well you are right.
It all comes down to GM interpretation... Which is again something that has been prevalent since First Edition of Earthdawn. ^_^

I'm sorry, Mellisandre!  I thought I had and.. apparently that was only in my head.

But no, really all bonuses and penalties apply to Step, and that's always been true (though has also always been a common confusion.)  There is a note that the GM can allow them to apply after the fact if the group is finding it too confusing, but officially, seriously, everything^* modifies Step and then you just get what you roll.

So with Tactics, right now your attack should be Dex + Melee Weapons + 2, and Damage is Strength + Weapon Damage + 1.  But if you roll a 3, it's still a 3.


^{*- There is one exception, which is Wound Penalties on Recovery Tests.  Those actually subtract from your final total, rather than your Recovery Step.  Wound Penalties on all other rolls work like normal though.}

Plus Karma (Optional)

In reply to Stendara (msg # 198):

Thanks. I'll keep the rolls i've made for this round though (they'd still be above average for my new Steps, anyway) and get it right starting from Round 3. :)

Unless i should reroll, which is also not a problem. Karma's a d6 for everyone, right? I've played several Earthdawn games but i've never actually used it under the reasoning that i didn't want to end up falling like 5 LPs short of a Talent upgrade next downtime.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:32, Thu 14 May 2020.

d6, yes - or Step 4, if you want to just keep the roller in the system.

Well, whatever happens, this is a memory i get to keep:



Calling this right now, but if these pirates manage to escape, that's one guy who'll never live that down. XD

Don't worry.
I have an idea. ^_^
It might take me several rounds, but I think it'll work...

GM.
How many HP does their hip have? :P

Who's hip? Are we trying to attack someone's hip? Sounds like it won't really change much, but if you really hate a man's hip that much...

Missing an S there...
I meant "Ship"...
I got an axe and I intend to use it.

I don't think you're taking it completely apart within the bounds of combat rules, but you could certainly cuts holes in their ship, if that's what you're attempting.

Right...
So PhysDef, Armour and HP?

Found this, which may be relevant:

https://www.therpgsite.com/sho...Ship-and-Mass-Combat

But yeah, going from when i punched through a wall in a different game, Armor values are going to be your biggest problem to beat. It's not really the HP, it's what you need to beat to chip away at it that's the problem.

Bugger, I forgot about the +2/+1 step bonus.  Oh well.

Sorry!  Forgot it was my turn!

Apologies in advance if the other 1 was supposed to be first.

I think we're only waiting for you (Yartok) and Rafe to close the round.

I allowed myself to post before Stendara because no NPC's were between us.

Remember to roll your Initiative along with your actions.

And also let me know if I get too "Mother" on you. ^_^'

Welp. I knew that armor was going to cost me. Oh well.

As long as we keep the 1's to Initiative I'm relatively content. ^_^'

And we are in Round 3. Initiative is as follows:

Mellisandre
Crew
Tomyris
Pirates
Hornet
Yartok
Rafe/Stendara

Take it away, Mell, with your massive 22 on initiative.

And done.

What would you guys do without me... :P

In reply to Mellisandre (msg # 216):

Use our weapons and lament that there's no one who knows how to sharpen them afterward? :P

Good round for me! :D
That's one pirate with a serious headache.

Nice roll, Tomyris!  Woot!

I'm pretty sure we would be absolutely lost without Mellisandre.  A Windling with a solid uppercut is always an exciting addition to any party.

The crew are remembering their +2 for Tactics, right? looks doubtfully over the crew

Yup! Nice roll indeed, Tomyris!

Go Team Windling! ^^

Wow... that is one impressive damage roll. And I was over here being all proud of my 17 last round.

Hey, a 17 is nothing to --ahh -- sorry, it's nothing to -- ahh! -- ahem  Seventeen damage is certainly nothing achoo!

...Well.  I mean, maybe, just this once.

Well they did hit me, apparently, because i'm looking at 15 Stun Damage.

21:02, Today: Mellisandre rolled 15 using 3d6, rerolling max.  Karma (d6) + Avoid Blow (Step 8, 2d6).

...Or not.

Triple 5 btw, no Diceplosions.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:04, Wed 20 May 2020.

Oh, no, that's meant to be a breakdown of what they are currently doing and how much damage they have applied to them... I might have to work on formatting that that a bit better. It's to help keep track of who has how much damage done to them, who's doing what, that sort of thing. So that you all as players can target people a bit easier, coordinate against specific attackers, that sort of thing.

The 15 damage labeled on that Pirate is the 15 you did, and I added the Stun just to keep track that it was nonlethal.

Both missed you, Mel. You're fine. Apparently these pirates couldn't hit the broadside of a barn. Or a ship, as the case may be.

Actually, in all fairness, he DID hit... I'm on Aggressive, so that's a 6 to hit me instead of a 9 ^^;

That's why i thought he hit, because of the 8 roll. I actually checked the Dice Roller.

That said, my 15 beats his 8 regardless, so it's a miss either way.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:15, Wed 20 May 2020.

Ah... I forgot you were being aggressive about things. Well... regardless, you're dodging the whole affair anyway, which entirely negates the entire problem. We salute you, tiny windling. We salute you.

Also for building a Windling with a single-digit PD!  How did you even do that? boggles

...OK, it is possible, but wow, that's not easy.  And.. wait, if you're rolling Step 7 Initiative, actually, that can't be right.  Did you remember Windlings get a natural +2 to their PD?  I think you have an 11, which, to be fair, still would have had to dodge that 8 while Aggressive, but might be important other times.

That is a good point.
It's one point of strain you might dodge.

In reply to Stendara (msg # 227):

Ehm...

16 DEX = Step 7, +2 = 9? ^^;

So yeah, seems i checked the wrong column for those. +2 to all Defenses, yay!

Is it OK to be kind of excited that that's a whole new mistake I've never seen before?  Way more interesting than just overlooking the Windling bonus!

+2 too all defenses!?
It's just to Physical I'm afraid.

Querry:

Proposal:

Semi-almost-explicitly non-appropriate use of Heartening Laugh

Could I direct my "Friendship" to the pirates and embolden them against their Captain?


Something to think about. The answer will not change my action, just possibly the result.

Nah, it's that when calculating my defenses, i read the wrong column, so 7 (Step 7) becomes 9 (Defense value for Step 7) x3. Hence, +2 to all Defenses after corrections.

The Windling bonus is indeed only for PD, but in my defense i did add that one correctly. ;)

Votes Nay.
I think you'd have them on OUR side before the bonus applies.
At present they'd either be undecided or against their captain.
(Against the Captain does not mean with us).
I think their mentality is more fleeing us than it is turning on their Captain.
Perhaps you could use it to make them surrender at a later point.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:33, Thu 21 May 2020.

Hmm... I'd have to agree with Tomyris here.

It's kind of like asking "If i cast Air Armor on an enemy, would that help reduce his armor for us?". I think it'd embolden the pirates against their enemies, which at this point is still us. At most they'd avoid attacking you because you're liked, but in the end you're still an enemy to them.

Mechanically, if you can get them to be Friendly to you, you can give them that bonus to resist their Captain's intimidation-based tactics.  But it doesn't matter how Friendly you feel towards them -- they have to feel that towards you, which is harder to achieve in the middle of a pitched battle.  Probably not impossible, though.

There is a whole social structure that is, alas, kind of buried in the GM's guide.

I basically agree; like I said, this use is almost expressly written out of the talent description.

My action ends up being pretty mechanically null as the people who do get the boost aren't being targeted that way and I don't know the armor/wound-threshold; but I hope the players enjoy it. (once I actually post it, of course)
This message was last edited by the player at 07:49, Fri 22 May 2020.

I'm... not sure what you mean by that.  Those mean the same thing.  You move up to your Movement Rate in a round freely, or you can move father (up to double) by using your Standard Action.  "To make a charging attack, the rider must move towards the target in a relatively
straight line at a rate higher than the mount’s Movement Rate (using the mount’s
standard action to move)."  That, the use of the mount's standard action to move, doesn't happen until you've moved further than its base Movement Rate.

I would agree that the way they're using "rate" is a little weird in that it's more of a distance than a speed (since the time is a set thing, being a six second round), but the meaning of the rules is pretty clear.

Ok, it's Rafe's turn, and I'm honestly a bit confused about what the current state of the fight is. Can someone catch me up, please?

In reply to Stendara (msg # 238):

I think what he means is that the Charge action depends on the standard Movement rate of whatever's Charging, rather than having it be a set amount like "at least 5 hexes".

Could be wrong though.

We have our crew and the pirates fighting their own fight.
Out of the five pirates that tried attacking Our Princess two of them are out (one dead, one knocked out by Mel)
One of the remaining pirates is unharmed, two are injured with 15 and 22 points of damage.

In this round you and the princess have yet to act.

Any details I missed?

In reply to Tomyris (msg # 241):

Yeah, i sucker punched Pirate 2 for 9 (minus armor) in the current turn.

Wasn't that included in the damage GM posted?

In reply to Tomyris (msg # 243):

Honestly, i don't have a clue...

I also couldn't tell if Yartok's 8 damage was counted.

Sorry not posted, catching up on rest all day meant I did nothing. Will post in morning as I'm working from home Monday (later today).

On a related note, for the purposes of battlefield clarity, could we get a post at the start of each combat round detailing how damaged each of the participants is?

No need to list their max health, just their name and how much damage they've suffered would be fine.

In reply to Mellisandre (msg # 247):

I think that is the number in the paranthesis at the end of each adversary is.

In reply to Tomyris (msg # 248):

Yeah, just saying it'd be good to have at the start of every round.

Happy Towel Day everybody! ^_^

In reply to Mellisandre (msg # 247):

That can be arranged for, yes. I'll see about getting a post up today for the new round.

Hoping that Buzz and Hornet pushed a pirate overboard again after charging down the rigging at one.

Seeing as everything that's going on, at least around here, I figured it would be remiss of me if I didn't check in on how everyone's doing.

I hope everyone is staying safe and keeping sane.

Doing pretty well here, all things ocnsidered. Just got home from grocery shopping and got everything i needed for the next week or so, bar one or two items i'll pick up at another time :)

You?

Been alright.

Not much to say.
Weather is absolutely stunning. Just a pity I have to get out of bed at 6 in the morning to enjoy it without people around.

I do get to bake a lot though. ^_^

*Hands out glaced Cinnamon Swirls*
This message was last edited by the player at 19:04, Thu 04 June 2020.

Life of an essential worker...

I'm just waiting for one or two more players to post before I decide whether to take down their ship or not...

Anyone else having a suggestion what to do?
This message was last edited by the player at 09:25, Fri 05 June 2020.

Punch them.

Punch the pirates. Punch the Captain. Punch the ship.

PUNCH EVERYTHING!

:D

That's your job!
I just chop them up. :D
This message was last edited by the player at 10:24, Fri 05 June 2020.

Yup, i love my Warrior's Scarves.

Can't wait to start Forging them and become the punchiest Windling in Barsaive.

In reply to Tomyris (msg # 257):

I'm just content on knocking pirates into the sea.  Are there loads of Pirates over on the other ship, is it possible that Hornet reckons he could take out that Captain without putting the Princess in danger?

There are a significant number of pirates on the other ship, though the current actual threat to the Princess is somewhat lacking, as most haven't managed to transfer over. As for reaching the pirate captain, its doable, but you'd be among at least a handful of enemies while you tried it.

In reply to The Teller of Tales (msg # 262):

He's still tempted.

Well, its your go, so is Hornet tempted enough to risk death for glory?

As a mechanical aside, I would have to note that Stendara's tactical plan was "hold the ship",  so I don't think you'd get that bonus over there.  But of course, that's never meant to control your actions, just to reflect the nature of the plan made.

I think, at the moment, that its been put off long enough. I'll have Hornet jump in with their move when they can, but for now, I pass priority to Rafe so we can keep things moving along nicely.

In reply to The Teller of Tales (msg # 266):

Sorry for delay, had been waiting for response on Pirate had hit in last round, then I got bogged down with work.

Rafe, unless your Dex is 3 or 4 (Step 3) i'd say you've rolled the wrong step for your Initiative.

That's the number of the pirate you attacked ^^;

In reply to Mellisandre (msg # 268):

It makes alright sense to me.
Dex 10 gives him a Base step of 5, subtract 2 for armour and shield and he has Step 3.
I don't know if that is what he has done, but it doesn't seem overtly far fetched.

In reply to Tomyris (msg # 269):

Maybe.

I can honestly say that if he really does have Step 3 Initiative, i've never seen it that low. But yeah, it's possible.

That said, Step 3 is actually supposed to be a d4 (or d6-1 in 3rd Ed), so the Step would actually be so low that it's bugged in the dice roller. Rolling a regular d4 might be better in this case.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:47, Mon 08 June 2020.

Here's what made me think this.

I think you're right regarding the diceroller though.
I think it's programmed to subtract 1 one from the dice, meaning that you cannot get exploding dice and there is a possibility of rolling a 0.
A D4 might make a difference.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:21, Mon 08 June 2020.

Ah, must have missed that then.

One thing though, i believe the -1 is subtracted from the end result (you roll a 3, it becomes a 2), but it has no effect on rerolls: A d4 roll of 4 is still a d4 roll of 4, it's just that the end result becomes a 3.

Lemme make a quick test:

15:49, Today: Mellisandre rolled 3 using 1d4-4, rerolling max with rolls of (4+3)7.

Yep, the modifier has no effect on rerolls: A max roll of d6+1 would just end up as a 2d6+1 roll. So if Rafe really rolls Step 3 Initiative, he'd need to do a regular d4 with the Reroll Max box checked as the system is bugged for Step 3 and below.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:52, Mon 08 June 2020.

Rafe has Dex 13 (Step 6) with Hide Armor (-1) and a Ferndask (-2), for a final initiative of Step 3. If that interacts weirdly with the roller, it's no problem for me to just put in the correct dice instead of telling it to use the ED system. I honestly had suspicions about it not getting the steps right on a different roll earlier in the game, too.

It's not so much that the Steps are wrong as that they're 3rd Edition.  I did ask ages ago if jase could program 4e in, but I think keeping every system updated is a low priority, especially for relatively niche systems like ours. (Even though ED totally shouldn't be niche.)

Anyway - on the one hand, the Steps have been tweaked in almost every Edition for various philosophical reasons, but one nice thing about the system is that the math is very robust.

Then I really don't understand how it is possible to roll a 0...

Well, with subtraction.  Step 3 in 3rd Edition does subtract from the result.

But it should only be subtracting 1, so if the die was a 2, the total should have been 1, not 0.  So that does seem off.  I don't know.

Yep, it's supposed to be d6-1 in 3rd Ed (d4 in 4th).

From what i recall hearing about it though, it's kind of bugged for Step 3 and below, so for Initiative you'd indeed be better off rolling regular d4s.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:24, Tue 09 June 2020.

In any case 1 is the minimum to be rolled for initiative.
And as long as that's where I roll the majority of them I'm happy. ^_^'

In reply to Stendara in game:

Did you include the bonus damage for the extra success on the hit? #3 is PD 6 (maybe 5) this round, so your 11 TH is 5 over.

That sounds complicated.

Not really.

For every 5 points your attack roll beats the opponent's Defense, you get an extra +2 Damage Step for that attack.

It's basically replaced what Armor Defeating hits used to be in 3rd. Rather than outright ignore whatever armor your opponent's wearing, you now have a chance to roll a couple of points higher, but still have it be reduced by armor. This way, armor will continue to be meaningful as Talents such as Melee Weapons keep ramping up with every Circle you gain.

In reply to Mellisandre (msg # 281):

Thanks for that.  I keep forgetting about the extra successes, I didn't think I had any previously so haven't done anything like this.

Very much appreciated and easy to understand too. x

Not really.
It's how Distract (Talent) works.

In other words: Yartok is an easy target for him and he is an easy target for everyone else (Including Stendara).

Edit: Mellisandre beat me to it, but I think the bonus to damage is +1 for every two successes. Am I wrong here?
This message was last edited by the player at 12:36, Wed 10 June 2020.

In reply to Tomyris (msg # 283):

Then you've been selling yourself short. It's +2 per Success, page 34 ;)

In reply to Mellisandre (msg # 284):

No I meant as in +1 for every two above your target number.
Perhaps a little bit OP. ^_^'

In reply to Mellisandre (msg # 284):

so 5 points above the target number is 1 success, that's fair for a +2.  Is that the same for skills etc?

In reply to Hornet (msg # 286):

Yes.

In reply to Tomyris (msg # 287):

Love it.

I didn't, but that was because I'm pretty sure he'll go down from Rafe's Earth Darts and I'll actually be swinging at #2.

Reminds me.



Seem like my progress is completely down to how far up I managed to get through Great Leap. ^_^'

I came into this prelude expecting a little more of a challenge for the group. Something to help get into things, a decent battle.

What I was given was a systematic curbstomp of anyone that so much as looked at one of you funny, and pirates who are utterly incompetent and incapable of anything more than laying down and dying.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:34, Thu 11 June 2020.

In reply to The Teller of Tales (msg # 291):

Don't beat yourself up about it...that's our job :-p

And hey, I built a Troll whose practically useless in standard combat, so I am fine with incompiratants.

Earthdawn can be a very swingy system.  I threw a bunch of non-Adept Scorchers at my players -- admittedly, I gave them 2-3 ranks in their combat skills, so they were rolling Step 8 or 9 instead of 7.  But no Karma or anything, and that's a group of 3rd Circle Adepts.  I expected a nice little warm-up, just something to get people engaged and throwing some dice, and we came... uncomfortably close to a TPK.

I mean, I'd love to put this all down to Stendara's brilliant leadership, but we were lucky.

On the plus side, it established us as a capable group of Name-Givers that work well together, which (especially at the start of a campaign) has its own merits.

It's all about point of view :P

In reply to Stendara (msg # 293):

It wasn't just one of us that nearly died, was it?
Not to mention the majority of that fight my opponent and I were doing nothing but making wooshing sounds at each other. ^_^'

I mean yeah, that Strain damage can really add up :P

In reply to Mellisandre (msg # 296):

Let's see...
Seethra, Viltok and I think there was one or two more of us that went down...
Can't really remember it well though. I survived ^_^

Imerdijn was the other one that was seriously hurt -- she probably soaked up enough damage to have killed any other two of you.

Anyway, Teller, if it helps any, I think there's still a fair chance you could kill Tomyris?  I'm honestly not sure how she's planning to get back.

Well I do have a plan...
More an idea really. Wind Catcher does allow me to fly, right?

In reply to Tomyris (msg # 299):

Hmm...

Tomyris, how much does your gear weigh? What you're wearing obviously, assuming you didn't take your entire backpack into combat.

Hide Armour and a Footmans Shield.

I can't decide if I want to reveal my plan here or let you watch it unfold.
But I could use the help of a Windling or two. ^_^

...Wind Catcher allows you to fall.  Its horizontal options are pretty limited, but if you have enough vertical distance... kind of?

I definitely want to see this unfold.  This is exciting.

Is there any popcorn on the ship?

According to your profile you're 100 pounds, plus 35 for the gear...

...Interesting.

We have the best windling. Just wanted to throw that out there.

In reply to Mellisandre (msg # 303):

I have no idea what the weight is in pounds.
I'm metric/kiloes kind of girl. So that measurement is probably random. ^_^'

I'm getting a little bit of cold feet with my plan here. ^_^'

And Rafe.
Which one of our Windlings are you referring to? :D

In reply to Tomyris (msg # 305):

100 pounds is so slightly over 45 Kg

Yes.

In reply to Yartok (msg # 306):

That sounds about right. ^_^
Add a few kg pure muscle and there you have it. ^_^

Yep. Rule of thumb is multiply by two and add 10%.

So 45 x2 = 90, +9 = 99, which i rounded up to 100 because inevitable decimals.

Nice to be recognised ;-)

The problem with Windlings is that even if you do throw it out there, it just flies right back in.  But good try, Rafe!

Hmm... How much movement did i use heading to where Tomyris is?

I think it should be full human movement in an almost vertical direction.
We can't use Great Leap to surpass Racial movement, can we?

Sadly, no - even if you roll like a 78 on your Great Leap roll, you can still only move up to your 12 yards.  (Though if you're using it for the "avoiding a sudden pit" thing, a higher roll might matter.)  I think Sprint might be the actual only thing that lets you add to your movement.

If you have Sprint, though, there's no reason you can't take 2 Strain and then Leap further, if, of course, your Leaping roll also supports that.

In reply to Stendara (msg # 314):

I think as Windlings we are lucky there with higher movement but then we have wings, Hornets mount also has 16 movement, as you'd expect from something similar to a cat.

Well i can lift twice my carrying capacity and still move 2 hexes, but that's 100 pounds, so i could still lift Tomyris, only without his gear.

If i can though, that's me carrying him the final two hexes if he's short. If not though, i could be an in-between step to give him a boost for a second Great Leap in the following round, by using myself as an in-between step. With gear, that's going to be a TN 8 for me though, and my Strength die is a d6.

So yeah, i guess it'd either boil down to 'how far can you yeet your gear' and have me help carry you to the ship, or i help you make a double jump and try to convince the GM that i can either dump Karma on it, or that 'landing' on me gives you enough footage to make a second Great Leap before we hit the water due to the altitude.

*slow, nervous turn towards Teller*
This message was last edited by the player at 11:10, Sun 14 June 2020.

I'm not sure if that is better or  worse than my plan to simply claim the sails and get stuck up there (like a cat in a tree) until the Patrolboat clears the deck and we can claim the ship for the Venares forces.

Then all the rest of you have to do is to keep out of missile distance and stay safe until the pirates are properly dispatched of. The Windlings can easily move between the two ships.

In reply to Mellisandre (msg # 316):

Oorrrrrrr, wait for the enemy ship sails to drop and then in the confusion, knock out all the pirates, commandeer their ship and sail back to port to collect the bounty.

That's Hornets plan :-)
This message was last edited by the player at 11:30, Sun 14 June 2020.

In reply to Hornet (msg # 318):

How are you going to sail their ship back if their sail isn't functioning? :)
This message was last edited by the player at 11:39, Sun 14 June 2020.

Orrr...


Yartok could punch down the mast and Tomyris could use it as a walkway across :P

In reply to Mellisandre (msg # 320):

Errrrh...
GM. What are the rules for sitting on top of masts that are being cut down?
I'm not really feeling confident about some of these ideas...
This message was last edited by the player at 11:44, Sun 14 June 2020.

In reply to Tomyris (msg # 321):

Just time your Great Leap to go off before you crash into the other ship and you should do fine ^^

In reply to Mellisandre (msg # 322):

Hornet is only cutting the main sail down not the mast, it'll still have a small sail but all or most of the remaining pirates will be under the mast or in a state of confusion (hopefully).
Sail with tidy sail and towing (Hornet hasn't thought that bit though BTW, I have lol)

Don't worry Tomyris!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDte-axR9l8

The PCs have a plan...

In reply to Mellisandre (msg # 324):

Actually, that is what worries me. ^_^'

Hahahaha

Cutting down the mainsail is a temporary way to disable the ship, anyway. Ships tend to have lots of ropes on them, and sailors tend to be good with them. Once the ship is secure, I'm sure they could get the lines spliced and functional again before too long.

Yeah, but that will still be after the patrolship has caught up and engaged the Pirates. ^_^

Exactly

Yes, it will. I was just pointing out that the talk about slow sailing and towing and stuff probably aren't necessary.

In reply to Rafe (msg # 330):

Ah Okay.

That would certainly make the ship a better prize for us to acquire. :)

That is exactly how a phalanx is supposed to work!  That's why there are all those flying phalanxes in Australia to this very day.

...Or, wait, maybe those are phalangers.  Well, whatever.  Same thing, really.

In reply to Mellisandre (msg # 316):

I'd personally say that you could attempt either one, though I'd wager you'd need a strength check for both, with actively carrying Tomyris being a slightly more difficult endeavor. Maybe Target Number being 8 or 9, since you can practically carry her on your own already, but for a bit of extra weight.

If you're just trying to act as a stepping stone through the air, I'd say 6 or 7 would be the target.

I assume by this point your flying, or at least hovering, of course. If that assumption is wrong, feel free to correct me.

Yeah, flying. No reason not to, honestly.

That said... what do i roll? Just raw Strength, because that's a d6, or can i use Karma on it somehow?

In reply to Mellisandre (msg # 334):

Wait. What?
You're trying to pick me up without ensuring I'm willing to let go of the riggings?

I'd say you could use Karma if you like, since it makes sense to me you could be calling on fate to give you just that little bit of extra something to do what you need to. I don't think there's really a talent or skill that covers being a stepping stone, but if there is you could arguably use that.

I think she's just prepping in case you decide to make a jump for it, Tomyris. Or use her as a stepping stone.

Yeah. She already figures you're going to try and jump for it, given that you're trying to get some altitude, this is all just preparing for her making sure what to do in case you don't make said jump.

Apologies for the absence, been busy with birthday's, and new animals, and just life in general.

As it stands, I need initatives for the next round from... most people I think, and I do believe Rafe to throw in their doings for the round, unless he'd just prefer to pass the matter on to the next round.