[OOC] The Common Room

[TheMystic]

The GM Mimerifle instituted a system of two OOC threads in his latest game that I thought was quite astute. I am replicating that here.

This thread is out of character, but for events not pertaining to the campaign progress.

Here is where you make a joke about what a character has just done, or just tell us something interesting that happened on the weekend.

[TheMystic]

And with that all dealt with, I bid you all good night. I'll see who's seen this come morning.

[Squeak]

Xopingthpth reporting for duty! Heheheh. I said duty.

How do we do hit points?

Will get my other stuff up soon. As a note, I'm traveling on business from Mar 17-28. I'll be able to post, but it will be slower and shorter than I normally do...

[Oghain]

Happiness, looking forward to this one.

[TeufelHeunden]

Woot!! Congratulations all and Thanks for the Invite TheMystic!!

Looking forward to this game.

[GeoAvanti]

Checking in! Gottaa head out out the gym soon, so I'll work at getting everything else up when I get back.

[TheMystic]

Hit points are average. d6 are 3.5, d8 are 4.5, d10 are 5.5 and d12 are 6.5 (Except first, which is full)

[GeoAvanti]

So, this is probably a good place to point out that Kiril, despite his crazy blood magics, is actually pretty good with healing, buffing, and divination. If anyone would like a Harrowing spell, or something similar done that has a very long duration at the start of the game, let me know and I'll work it out. I specifically chose some of these spells for their fluff over their usefulness (Gentle Repose, Harrowing, etc.), but if anyone wants to take advantage of them, just let me know.

This is also a pretty good time to try and figure out if anyone isn't freaked out by Kiril. Characters very opinionated about magic probably don't apply. Anyone close with him would know his real name is Kiril, but in public he answers only to "Lykaia". Call him Kiril in public, and you will be ignored.

Here's my shopping list at a glance, as well. I always like to double check and make sure things are legit, especially since I get Craft Wondrous Items for my mask.

 

25600gp – 25150gp = 450gp
Handy Haversack	2000
Hexing Doll		2500
Pearl of Power I	1000
Ring of Sustenance	2500
Ring of Protection +1	2000
LMM Rod, Bouncing	3000
Wand, CLW		750
Level 1 “Scrolls”	100
Level 2 “Scrolls”	900
Level 3 “Scrolls”	2250
Level 4 “Scrolls”	1400

Fetish Mask Crafting
Resistance +2		3000	Includes 1.5 multiple abilities cost
Constant Shield	2000	1 [CL] * 1 [Spell Level] * 2000 [Base] * 2 [Duration] / 2 [Crafted]
Constant Mage Arm	1500	1 [CL] * 1 [Spell Level] * 2000 [Base] / 2 [Crafted]
Multiple Abilities	x1.5 each lower cost
Living Steel		250

Spells bought, by level:
Level 1: Charm Person, Comprehend Languages, Detect Secret Doors, Obscuring Mist
Level 2: Gentle Repose, Masterwork Transformation, Share Memory, Web
Level 3: Gloomblind Bolts, Harrowing, Locate Object, Remove Curse, Speak with Dead, Stinking Cloud
Level 4*: Summon Monster 4, Enervation

*Cannot cast, but added to spellbook for next level. All Spellcraft checks are easily hit: Spellcraft is +10, making Take 10 options quite successful.

[AximusLokar]

No objection from Dalton. Magic is a useful tool, and thus no different from a hammer. You put down a madman swinging around a hammer, but you don't go around killing everyone that uses a hammer.

[TheMystic]

I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to call foul on using constant shield and armour effects. The game actually specifically notes these as being something the GM should veto right next to the pricing rules.

Example: Patrick's wizard wants to create bracers with a continuous mage armor ability, granting the wearer a +4 armor bonus to AC. The formula indicates this would cost 2,000 gp (spell level 1, caster level 1). Jessica reminds him that bracers of armor +4 are priced at 16,000 gp and Patrick's bracers should have that price as well. Patrick agrees, and because he only has 2,000 gp to spend, he decides to spend 1,000 gp of that to craft bracers of armor +1 using the standard bracer prices.

I will allow you to add both Armour and Shield bonuses to your mask if you want (I know witches particularly struggle to get AC up)

Armour and shield bonuses can be purchased at (Bonus)^2 x 1000 gp, applying 1.5 multipliers to lesser values as you have above.

[Squeak]

Originally Posted by GeoAvanti

This is also a pretty good time to try and figure out if anyone isn't freaked out by Kiril. Characters very opinionated about magic probably don't apply. Anyone close with him would know his real name is Kiril, but in public he answers only to "Lykaia". Call him Kiril in public, and you will be ignored.

Lighten up Kiril...

Bait the kobold would not be freaked out by him, even of he does have a bit of elf blood in him.

[TeufelHeunden]

While Striker may not find Kiril to his liking as a drinking buddy for a night at the tavern under normal circumstances, I am sure he has come across a few of his kind before and understands them better than normal city folk.

I am going to try and find some time in the next couple of days to finalize up Striker - mainly his inventory. I just threw the wands and the pearls in there as ways to help extend some of his spells so that they will be around for more than one encounter per day, or where he could commit to some other spells for the day and have those buffs available from those sources.

Since I am not one to play casters heavily I always find myself clumsy when it comes to such things so any comments/advice now or during the game would be welcome from some of those more comfortable with casters. I don't plan on him being a caster, only using his minimal abilities to enhance his effectiveness.

Also, a question both to TheMystic and to the group. At this level he can specialize a little bit in this build and will be committed until about 10th (and since we don't plan on going that high I think we need to decide now. Will most of the encounters call for Striker to be close to melee or should he be a sniper. Mainly looking at "Improved Precise Shot" or "Point Blank Master" route. The one he gains benefit to overcome cover at range so more of a sniper while the other allows him to use his bow in melee without opening himself up to AOO. If anyone has opinions on that let me know.

[Squeak]

T H --- HERE is a great link for a ranger character build.

[TeufelHeunden]

Thanks Squeak, not worried so much about the build, was asking more for advice on how to maintain buffs across multiple encounters in a day. From my knowledge of military training based upon my experience (real life), an advanced force behind enemy lines needs to be prepared for multiple firefights in a short amount of time. The goal is to get in and get out without being caught, but if you are found out then it becomes a cat and mouse game against superior forces which is indicative of multiple firefights before you elude the dragnet.

So if Strider has one cast of Gravity Bow in his hip pocket you run int the dilemma to cast it (last 6 min at his level) and get some great damage buff for this fight but not have it available an hour from now when you get into the next firefight, or the next. The possibility I was thinking of was the wand, use that when you are relatively sure it will be a quick fight (the one cast from a normal 750gp wand will only last 1 minute), but basically frees him to use it more often and multiple times in a row but for shorter periods each time.

I get how that all comes into how games gets balanced, just wondering if anyone that normally plays a caster has advice on how to best do that. The pearls allow him to get a couple of extra casts in per day, is that enough.

I would think so.

Edit: Forgot the second part of my question/response:

Originally Posted by TeufelHeunden

Also, a question both to TheMystic and to the group. At this level he can specialize a little bit in this build and will be committed until about 10th (and since we don't plan on going that high I think we need to decide now. Will most of the encounters call for Striker to be close to melee or should he be a sniper. Mainly looking at "Improved Precise Shot" or "Point Blank Master" route. The one he gains benefit to overcome cover at range so more of a sniper while the other allows him to use his bow in melee without opening himself up to AOO. If anyone has opinions on that let me know.

The feat selection can't really come from any guide, maybe some good suggestions, but I was asking on a party need if anyone has an opinion if they would like him to be more sniperish with something like improved precise shot or melee orientated with point blank master. I never had an intent for him to be super hero standards on either one and able to put nine arrows into a medium target at 250m, but those two feats are pretty much opposed on his skills and how I play him. If anyone had an opinion, then I am open.

[Squeak]

From a purely mechanical point of view, I'm not a fan of gravity bow. Yes, it gives you a nice increase in damage, but it takes a standard action to cast the spell. It only ends up being beneficial if the combat is 4 rounds or longer -- you actually LOSE damage potential if it is 3 rounds or less. I would instead suggest buying a +1d6 I would suggest cold or corrosive, as they don't make noise or cast off lightenhancement to your bow you can keep active. Obviously, this is a purely mechanical suggestion and may not work with your character concept.

As for MY preference, I'd love it if you were more melee-ish, but only for selfish reasons. My character's combat abilities are pretty dependent on using sneak attack bonuses, so the more opportunity he has to flank the better. Either way, if you could pick up a spiked gauntlet so you threaten those opposing spaces if you DO get into combat, I'd appreciate it. I'll even give you the 5gp for it if you need me to