[OOC] The 1,000th Campfire

[Lazer]

Yangchen would be happy to Prestidigitate the tea (if it will keep The Great Feng Wu away from beer for a little while).

[Unko Talok]

Whew, okay. Isn't it weird how life can so easily fill up with things all of a sudden that need doing? Anyway, today should be almost entirely clear for me to make this game and Parvati priority #1!

Regarding party role, we've currently got Debuffer (Li Riuying), Buffer (Yangchen), and I imagine a fair amount of combat force (Jinlong, Feng Wu).

I had initially envisioned her as very much a nurturer/helper/buffer, with an occasional dip into rage-momma. But it turns out that Parvati is commonly an avatar of violence as Shakti:

Several Hindu stories present alternate aspects of Parvati, such as the ferocious, violent aspect as Shakti and related forms. Shakti is pure energy, untamed, unchecked, and chaotic. Her wrath crystallizes into a dark, blood-thirsty, tangled-hair Goddess with an open mouth and a drooping tongue.

So, my world is pretty open here. Because we've got some combat-heavy stuff already covered, I'm thinking that I'll focus a bit on scouting (high perception, wild shape, etc), a bit of healing (not terribly important, but it's good to have a bit of healing available when necessary, yeah?), and combat after.

How... how mad would Wyn be if Someone managed to get my Passive Perception to 28? (Wisdom+5, Proficiency+4, Observant Feat+5, Prodigy Feat(Expertise)+4)... Asking for a friend.

[Wynamoinen]

Originally Posted by Unko Talok

How... how mad would Wyn be if Someone managed to get my Passive Perception to 28? (Wisdom+5, Proficiency+4, Observant Feat+5, Prodigy Feat(Expertise)+4)... Asking for a friend.

Not very mad. No one to blame but myself, offering the build rules I’m offering. We’re set to have 2 characters who hit an ability score of 22, and one of Osse’s requested items would give permanent advantage on (sight based) perception. So a few outrageous ability/skill bonuses per character are to be expected.

[Unko Talok]

Awesome! I decided not to go that way, instead focusing on more mobility-focused things that will help out with wild shape. I think that, around the table, they would be great for scouting, but not so sure it'll translate super well to play-by-post. Whatever!

I think Parvati is coming together! Mostly I just need to worry about her magic item selections (and any equipment, ugh...). But since people asked about spell selections, I wanted to chime in there real quick. I've got access to the whole druid spell list, and can modify my prepared spells as necessary. I think the only real overlap question is cantrips. I'm currently going with:

Druidcraft
Shillelagh
Mending

I think the only possible toe-stepping there would be Mending. It works well with the backstory I'm developing with Parvati. But if someone else REALLY wanted that one, I could do Guidance or resistance instead.

[Unko Talok]

I've added Parvati's Character Sheet to the post in the character's thread. I think that most of the mechanics are done with her? I have not made terribly many 5E characters, so please check my work.

Working on the magic item wishlist now.

[Unko Talok]

3-4 rare or very rare items (in order of preference):

• Robe of Stars (Very Rare; Requires Attunement)
• Figurine of Wondrous Power: Bronze Griffon (Rare, no attunement; possible cautionary note-- my interest in this item is, in part, to twist the trope of what is "exotic" and wondrous by specifically having a mythical creature of the west present. I think this leans into the origins of "journey to the west" in some ways, as well as kind of mocking some of the connotations of the "exotic east." However, because that treads in potentially dangerous territory, I wanted that out in the open so Wyn can decide how he feels about it. An alternative item with the same trope and more chaos potential might be an Efreeti Bottle, but for a lot of reasons I like that one less.)
• Gem of Seeing (Rare, requires attunement)
• Folding Boat (Rare, no attunement).

4-6 uncommon items (in order of preference):

• Decanter of Endless Water (no attunement)
• Lantern of Revealing (no attunement)
• Cloak of Protection (no attunement)
• Bag of Holding (no attunement)
• Gem of Brightness (no attunement)
• Amulet of proof against detection and location (requires attunement)

[Wynamoinen]

OK, so with yesterday's revisions, I'm fine with everyone getting their top-choice items (top 2 VR/R, top 4 C/U). Also I'm giving Osse a seventh in the form of a Common magic item, so if any of you want to take up to two Common items (listed in Xanthar's; I mistakenly said Volo's yesterday) feel free.

To be explicit that means I'm saying yes to:

Strangemund: Rope of Climbing, Staff of Thunder and Lighting, Bag of Beans, Lantern of Revealing, and Chime of opening.

That's only 5, so I'm happy to make your 6th, say, 4 potions of Greater Healing, fluffed as ale and on the proviso that they therefore only heal you.

rhaiber: Tome of Leadership and Influence, Hat of Disguise, Wand of Polymorph (self only), Fochlucan Bandore, Broom of Flying, and Boots of Elvenkind

Osse: Ring of Jumping, Manual of Gainful Exercise, Eldritch Claw Tattoo (in place of Insignia of Claws), Mantle of Spell Resistance, Eyes of the Eagle, and Periapt of Health. Also, you can have your Handy Spice Pouch as well.

Lazer: Elven Chain, Wind Fan, Cape of the Mountebank, Cloak of Protection, Stone of Good Luck, Ring of Regeneration

Unko Talok: Robe of Stars, Griffin Figurine of Wondrous Power, Decanter of Endless water, Cloak of Protection, and Bag of Holding.

That's only 5 for you, UT. I just want to flag that you requested a Lantern of Revealing but Strangemund has one. So if you want to have two Lanterns in the group, that can be your 6th. Otherwise, you can take the Gem of Brightness as your 6th. (Or maybe you can take the Lantern and Strangemund wants to shop for a replacement).

I'll try to do all the character sheet reviews today, but it honestly doesn't seem likely I'll be able to both finish that and draft a first post today, which I was vaguely hoping to do. So maybe pencil in Wednesday as a day when we can hopefully launch the first game thread? I'll keep you up to date about my state of mind and freedom of time.

[Lazer]

Thanks Wyn! I had thought that the Cape and Cloak would be an either/or situation (since they’re worn in the same ‘slot’), which is the main reason that I put them together. Are you okay with them being worn together? Or maybe merged into one item?

[Wynamoinen]

Yeah I assumed they'd be merged in some way. Which is fine by me (as long as you're staying within your allowed amount of attunement slots, which I think everybody is).

[Lazer]

Excellent!

And for my common item I will take a Tankard of Sobriety, which perhaps one of the other characters (Parvati?) gifted to Yangchen when it was decided that The Great Feng Wu would be travelling with us.

[Strangemund]

I don't mind swapping out my Lantern of Revealing for something else if you want it, Unko! I have got a few things I am still stewing over for my list still. Just haven't had time to go over it again during the weekend. Speaking of which, Wyn, I'll let you know when I do that tomorrow!

The slow pace is fine! I wanted to say that earlier, but busy weekend! I am just excited to be here!

[Wynamoinen]

LOL, if I'm interpreting this correctly, Osse's Jianglong has an average jump distance of 135 feet. Now THAT'S some high-power shenanigans.

[Lazer]

I'm sure there's a rule that you can't jump further than your movement, isn't there? So with dash that would be 80 feet (assuming he can make that distance from a standing start), which is still pretty darn great.

[Lazer]

Although, Yangchen has could cast Haste and double his movement speed, so with Dash he could do that full 135 feet!

[Wynamoinen]

Huh, apparently so. Hm does that mean that it’s impossible to jump a chasm greater than your movement, or if you’ve got a super-long jump distance does space-time twist so that you can take 12 seconds to span the distance rather than 6 seconds?