Chronicles of the Blade OOC

[Kuro Dmon]

And here we are! Happy New Year, everyone!

Original Recruitment Thread.

IC Thread

Dice Thread

Player	Rolls	Sheet Link	Character	Race	Gender	Alignment	Concept	PoW or SoM	Classes	Fighting Style	Combat Niches	Adventuring Niches
Alteiner	32pb	Mythweavers	Sieghart Aetheredge	Angelkin Aasimar	Male	Neutral Good	Newly-Minted Warrior Nobility	Both	Bushi Warlord/Landsknecht // Battle-Born Prodigy	One-Handed Sword/Iaijutsu	Melee, Mobility	Party Face, Scout
ScrambledBrains	40	OG Myth	Darvan	Human	Male	Lawful Good	Field Monk	PoW	Stalker//Unchained Monk	Thrown Weapons	Melee, Mobility, Range,	Scout, Stealth, Trapfinding,
Kaouse	32pb	Mythweavers	Dorian	Human	Male	Lawful Neutral	Quote the Raven	Both	Harbinger//Scholar	Poison and Curses	Debuffer, Mobility	Heal?, Sage, Scout, Stealth, Trapfinding
Athaleon	44	Mythweavers	Alaric	Human	Male	Lawful Good	Cavalry Officer	Both	Warder // Commander	Mounted Melee	Buffer, Meat Shield, Mobility	Party Face, Sage
Da'Shain	36	MythWeavers	Freki	Onispawn Tiefling	Female	Chaotic Good	Drunken Buccaneer	Both	Stalker//Striker	Drunken Boxing	BC, Melee	Party Face, Scout
namo	39pb	OG Myth	Dre'k	Tiefling	Male	Neutral Good	Military ranged tank	Both	Warder | Fighter/Conscript	Archery	Ranged Tank	more Ranged Tanking
Arael666	53	Google	Baldret	Elan	Male	CG	Pure hearted, stuborn Mercenary	PoW	Mystic/Aegis // PsyWar/Awakened Blade	Natural Weapons	Meat Shield, Melee Damage	Party Face (intimidate), Scout

Might make a few adjustments for notes, but party selected. You don't need to re-copy it when noting any adjustments (particularly after I shift the chart around once more for my own convenience). You do, however, need to select a Color for me. The Escort, who you'll be meeting soon, would favor Dark Orange or Blue, but as long as one of those is left for me for them, that's fine.

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As you pick your color, I would like a brief vote on something. I've got a couple of NPC templates to use for a few fights I wanted to have, largely for you guys to show off how skilled you are to each other.
I have, however, had it suggested that, as fun as the Tournament Arc introduction is, I should be more concise and just skip to the first encounter, particularly to actually introduce your protectee ally.

7 Warriors, 7 Votes. Would you prefer we skip straight to some roleplay that leads to the plot, or would you like some rollplay first to actually flex your character's skills a bit?

[namo]

I'm OK either way, but I'll vote for roleplay first.

In parallel, perhaps people can start explaining their abilities that interact with the party.
Notably I see a Battle-Born Prodigy, and a Commander.

@Athaleon: we'll also need to figure out how to cooperate regarding marking, since we're both warders. But likely Dre'k will just mark enemies you haven't marked, since he has more flexibility, being ranged.

[ScrambledBrains]

Happy New Year, everyone!

On the flip side, I'll vote for the rollplay first; I'm a sucker for a good tournament arc, what can I say? Plus, I would like to see how well I've built Darvan

And I think he'll speak in Navy

[Arael666]

As you pick your color, I would like a brief vote on something. I've got a couple of NPC templates to use for a few fights I wanted to have, largely for you guys to show off how skilled you are to each other.
I have, however, had it suggested that, as fun as the Tournament Arc introduction is, I should be more concise and just skip to the first encounter, particularly to actually introduce your protectee ally.

7 Warriors, 7 Votes. Would you prefer we skip straight to some roleplay that leads to the plot, or would you like some rollplay first to actually flex your character's skills a bit?

Baldret will use Green as his collor, and I believe the Escort should use Blue as it's more distinctive.

I'm voting to skip to our fist encounter, since it'll be precedded by roleplay, we'll have the oportunity to develop the characters interaction and also meet the Escort, which I'll admiti I'm very curious about.

In parallel, perhaps people can start explaining their abilities that interact with the party.

Baldret is melee meat shield, he has high AC and (I believe) high Melee damage. So he'll mostly try to draw attention to himself in any given battle in order to protect the Escort and the other teammates. Outside combat, he can use his intimidation and good mobility, but that's about it.

Finally, I need to finish spending the character wealth, I'll get to it right now

[ScrambledBrains]

Darvan has some relatively good DPS combined with a bit of battlefield control in his Tempest Gale Maneuvers. I.E. He likes to use his Chakram to disarm and trip opponents. As mentioned, he CAN go into melee combat but that's a last resort for him, only to be used if either his life is in immediate danger by a close opponent or if an ally and/or the escort has their life in immediate danger by an opponent that he can't hurt with his Chakram.

Also, I did just decide to change one of my Readied Maneuvers to something else on my list just now.

Edit: Out of combat, Darvan has solid Stealth and very consistent Perception since he can take ten on it, as well as decent maneuverability and knowledge. He also has high Heal, Sense Motive and Slight of Hand...and while he HAS high Disable Device, he doesn't have trapfinding so, that's more for Aid Another use than anything.

[Alteiner]

I'll have Sieghart use Fire Brick as his text color.

I'll also vote we skip to meeting our charge.

In combat, Sieghart is mostly melee DPS, but can operate comfortably at short range for an opening volley. He moves around a fair bit (abandoning Martial Focus as a free action and regaining as a move with a check that's pretty hard for him to fail) to quickly build up Links in his Sequence. Inspired Sequence ensures that he hits harder and more often the more momentum he builds, and he can share his bonus from Inspired Sequence with nearby allies. He can defend adjacent allies from ranged attacks by expending one of his opportunity attacks (most of AoO uses are defensive in nature), and can even work somewhat well disarmed.

Out of combat, high charisma and good bonuses to non-bluff interaction skills are his main way of interacting with people. He can move, climb and swim fairly-well, and is very observant.

[Kaouse]

Dorian Grey can speak with Gray.

Quote the Raven, will speak in Quotes.

[namo]

In combat, Sieghart is mostly melee DPS, but can operate comfortably at short range for an opening volley. He moves around a fair bit (abandoning Martial Focus as a free action and regaining as a move with a check that's pretty hard for him to fail) to quickly build up Links in his Sequence. Inspired Sequence ensures that he hits harder and more often the more momentum he builds, and he can share his bonus from Inspired Sequence with nearby allies. He can defend adjacent allies from ranged attacks by expending one of his opportunity attacks (most of AoO uses are defensive in nature), and can even work somewhat well disarmed.

OK. I don't have practical experience with Prodigies, so I didn't know how important it might be that other people in the party can fulfill links in your sequence.


As for Dre'k (Maroon), he grants +2 to AC and Will to allies within 20ft (the other Warder will have the same, but they don't stack).
He has high AC, good durability (temporary HP each round + a delayed damage pool that turns some damage into nonlethal damage, so the escort's healing will be twice as impactful), and will mark enemies to inflict -6 to attack vs his allies (but not him). And he can intercept attacks as well for nearby allies.

[Da'Shain]

Happy new year everyone! Thanks for selecting Freki, Kuro Dmon. She will speak in Dark Green.

In terms of her role, well, there's some overlap, as she just so happens to ALSO be a high AC beatstick. She is basically all melee all the time and uses improvised weapons to ruin people's day. Through Fool's Errand Style and the use of Brute sphere combat maneuvers that still do damage, she's a martial controller that can maneuver enemies around the battlefield and prevent them escaping, and can do nonlethal all day with no penalties if we want. She has a little team utility with Fear the Reaper letting her Intimidate an attack against an ally away or Intruder's End letting her expand her threatened area like a Warder as an immediate action, but otherwise she's all about the enemies.

Out of combat, she's pretty scary and perceptive, decently tricksy, and if you need someone to climb, swim, sail a ship or win at cards, all while drinking anyone under the table, she's your lady; but stealthy she is not.

I will also vote for roleplay, let's get into the story!

[Athaleon]

Glad to be getting started! Saddle Brown seems a suitable, distinctive, and easy-to-read color for Alaric.

I would also vote for skipping an initial combat. Partly for selfish reasons (Alaric isn't the strongest in a 1v1 duel, especially if he can't have his horse) but mostly just to get down to the game itself.

@Athaleon: we'll also need to figure out how to cooperate regarding marking, since we're both warders. But likely Dre'k will just mark enemies you haven't marked, since he has more flexibility, being ranged.

Sounds good to me. Armiger's Mark can only be applied to enemies we damage, after all, and we will typically be hitting different targets anyway.

As for abilities that interact with the party, Alaric has... a lot.

- Raging Song, as a Skald of his level. He has an item that allows him to grant everyone under his Inspired Rage a Rage Power as well—in his case, Quick Reflexes for +1 AOO per round.

- He has the Warleader Sphere and Aggressive Flanking talent (which the Battle Fanfare feat allows him to maintain with the same action as his Raging Song): "allied creatures are considered to be flanking as long as they both threaten the same creature, regardless of their comparative positioning."

- Battle Fanfare also allows him to use a Shout once per round as a Move or Swift Action while he maintains Raging Song. Alaric currently has Fierce Shout (allies get +5 damage on their first attack each round) and Protective Warning (+3 to saves against a specific enemy ability he warns them about).

- The Commander Class' Enhanced Tactics give him abilities he can apply to allies benefiting from a Tactic or a Shout. He can only use one Enhanced Tactic at a time, and currently has Expert Coordinator (sharing Outflank and Paired Opportunists with allies), Command Movement (give one ally a free Move Action), Rapid Repositioning (use Move Action to grant all allies 10' of free movement) and Troop Upkeep (allies all get 4 Temp HP per turn).

- The Hussar Warder's Guerilla Formation grants a further +2 Attack and Damage for flanking, and grants allies an extra 5' step per round (even outside their turn!) so long as it would put them in flanking position—which thanks to Aggressive Flanking, means any enemy that has an ally already threatening it.

- He has the Squadron Feats Close Formation (allies grant an additional +2 with Aid Another actions), Phalanx Formation (allies gain +2 Attack Rolls and AC while adjacent to another ally; +1 more for each additional), and Pincer Formation (flanking bonuses to attack rolls also apply to damage rolls). As far as I can tell, these are passive abilities that always function for any ally that has line of sight to Alaric and who meets the specific feats' conditions.

- Maneuvers like Warning Roar, Encouraging Roar, etc. will all provide bonuses to nearby allies.

- Maneuvers like Golden Swipe and Hunting Party will grant allies AOOs against struck targets.

- To protect adjacent allies, Alaric has the Shield Sphere's Active Defense and Cover Ally (and Smashing Counter to attack in retaliation), and plenty of AOOs to power them. Alaric's horse also has Bodyguard to protect adjacent allies.

- The Warder's Aegis class feature gives allies within 20' a +2 bonus to AC and Will Saves (though the latter will not stack with Raging Song). Nor will it stack with Dre'k's Aegis, but we can provide each other the benefits at least, or cover a larger area with two auras.

[Alteiner]

OK. I don't have practical experience with Prodigies, so I didn't know how important it might be that other people in the party can fulfill links in your sequence.

I made him pretty self-reliant, for the most part. Other people adding Links is nice when they can spare the effort, but there's no need to go out of the way to make it happen. Finishers can definitely benefit other party members, including for defensive purposes and setting up combo attacks.

[Kaouse]

Talking about team wide abilities, things like Agressive Flanking and abilities that increase the bonus given by Aid Another should be very useful for Quote, who I've given the Guardian Sphere's Patrol alongside the Assist/Bodyguard Zone.

This means, he can set up a Patrol and aid another the attacks, AC and even saves of allies within his patrol.

As for Dorian Grey himself, his main team steroid is Obsidian Reflection Stance, however... it's a bit of a double edge sword. It either increases or decreases the attack and damage of all units in it's 20 ft range - both allies and enemies alike.

This is great if we're dealing with enemies at range or have an overwhelming numbers advantage at melee. Alternatively, Dorian can use it while behind enemy lines to debuff their attack and damage. He's a bit less affected, since he cares more about inflicting poison than dealing damage.

As a result, he'll mostly be in Poisoner's Stance, and only switch into Obsidian Reflection Stance at the most optimal times.

Still, he has numerous other debuffs to bring to bare upon the enemy, like Steel Serpent Style, the Gloom generated from his strikes, or his stinkbombs that inflict a sickness with enhanced penalties.

Also, he can change which attribute his poison damages. By default, it'll target CON, since that will help lower hp and reduce the chance of an opponent making a save.

Though his save DC is probably high enough to the point where he can afford to target other attributes, like DEX instead. That should make it easier for opponents to be hit.

Do you guys have a preference in terms of what attribute he targets?

[Kuro Dmon]

Vote established! 5 to 1 at my last count, so while I might reference back to it a bit (certainly would have been a way to introduce some additional rivals/antagonists), I’ll get the IC up in a few hours with the prologue skipped! You’ll still need to be combat ready, but it certainly won’t be in a tutorialized setting, that’s for sure.

A new question comes to mind, though. I’ll ask for skill checks in more active moments, but how do folk feel about things like passively detecting a lie, or even unusual sensations or whatever, to have me just take 10? Some folk get pretty opinionated about it, so that’s one other thought I figure I should go ahead and get out early… frankly maybe even in the recruitment thread as well, just in case.

I also wonder if we do want our own dedicated Dice Rolling thread, I guess potentially in case any mistakes are made when trying to roll… probably for the best. I’ll set that one up soon as well.

Baldret will use Green as his collor, and I believe the Escort should use Blue as it's more distinctive.

With no other input in that matter, they will indeed be using Blue, then. And I’ll shortly be done playing the pronoun game with them, too.

Partly for selfish reasons (Alaric isn't the strongest in a 1v1 duel, especially if he can't have his horse)

I will say I was going to factor for that, with folk having been recognized for different talents, but it is what it is anyway. This is probably ultimately easier, even in battles you’d have basically just been showing off for…

But yeah, IC (and Dice Rolling) threads will be up a little later today!

I figure anyone with any lasts minute mundane shopping, or wanting to put their fluff on their sheets for the few of you who haven't, you could. Though neither are an issue.

[Kaouse]

I'm always happy to take 10 whenever possible. Feel free to use it as a passive check.

[Arael666]

A new question comes to mind, though. I’ll ask for skill checks in more active moments, but how do folk feel about things like passively detecting a lie, or even unusual sensations or whatever, to have me just take 10? Some folk get pretty opinionated about it, so that’s one other thought I figure I should go ahead and get out early… frankly maybe even in the recruitment thread as well, just in case.

Fluffwise, IMO, it really depends on the character. If he is the cunning/smart/devious type, I can see him taking 10 most of the time, or even having an abiity to take 12. If he is the gullible/airhead, it would be strange for him to have sudden flashes of sharpness.

Crunchwise, I don't really think it matters much, it certainly would speed things up.

On another note, after seeing the others their abilities, I believe I should also give a more thorough explanation.

Baldret focuses on natural attacks (4 tentacles from Aegis, 2 claws from claws of the beast and a bite attack from ring of rat fangs). His manevers are from Sleeping Goddes and Riven hourglass, mostly defensive and action economy (though he can help allies with the SG maneuvers that allow that augment. On latter levels He'll start getting veils and essence, but they'll most likely keep increasing his physical prowess.

[ScrambledBrains]

Darvan can take ten on Perception and Knowledge(Nature) checks at all times anyway due to his traits, so it doesn't overtly change much for him.

Also, depending on when Kuro Dmon puts up the IC thread, I might be at my job, so in that case, I'll either post tonight or early tomorrow.

[Da'Shain]

I'm fine with you taking 10 for passive checks, but Arael has a good point; Freki is pretty sharp when she's paying attention but she's also definitely not always paying attention. So honestly I'd be fine if you just rolled yourself for a passive check for her, but if it makes things easier taking 10 works too.

[Kuro Dmon]

.... I need an opinion on something Stupid.

I keep going back and forth on something. Part of me imagined having a Sugar Glider, because they are so adorable.

Mechanically, I figured they'd be closest to Flying Squirrels. Which are fun as familiars go, even if the skill bonus isn't something I'd be using in this game, at least for this character. A few foes might fly, but they don't.

A friend pointed out that I could do better with an Archaeopteryx, which are almost as cute, and give an ability that would actually matter for this character (particularly given that their saves are garbage).

And so TLDR; I wonder how much side-eying people would give if I could have the familiar as a Sugar Glider, stated them as a Flying Squirrel, but gave it the familiar bonus of +2 Reflex (which isn't even exclusive to the Archaeopteryx, but also is granted by Foxes, Weasels... and Vampire Squirrels or Sea Crabs... huh...).

...

...

...

This is obviously incredibly serious business. Super Important.

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This thread might interest a few of you, by the way.

And this might interest less of you, since I'm fine with still rolling OOC. Just as long as we keep the IC nice and neat. Please keep mechanics spoilered, if not just linked to.

.... reading back on my writing, I'd like to make a reminder that I never promised I was any good at it. Or even remotely original. You all knew what you signed up for.

[Alteiner]

.... I need an opinion on something Stupid.

Do it. I don't particularly mind if the party's charge has a kind-of weird familiar. Everyone's kit is at least a little weird as it is.

[ScrambledBrains]

....I need an opinion on something Stupid.

Spoiler

Show

[Athaleon]

Some small homebrewing of an NPC's unique familiar seems well within a GM's prerogative.

[Arael666]

Sorry for the delay in response, I was working yesterday and helping my fiancé with the marriage arrangements. I came home so late I simply didn't have the energy to write.

.... I need an opinion on something Stupid.

I say do it too, but now you're gonna need a separate folder with tons of picture of sugar gliders to ilustrate him

[ScrambledBrains]

Quick question for everyone; How long should we wait for everyone to post before posting again? I know that slowdown can kill PBP games but I also don't want to be rude and post twice in the introduction phase of the game before everyone else has even posted once.

[namo]

I don't have any problem with that, BRains.

Nor with the DM introducing the Sugar Glider... who is in truth a Baleful-Polymorphed level 40 fighter (the one from the legend, turned immortal) who will render all our characters moot.

[Arael666]

Quick question for everyone; How long should we wait for everyone to post before posting again? I know that slowdown can kill PBP games but I also don't want to be rude and post twice in the introduction phase of the game before everyone else has even posted once.

Since the holydays ended, my opinion is that we should try to post at least every other day (3-4 times a week). I know RL can get busy and we need to be understanding in that regard, but we also need to keep the game going

[Kuro Dmon]

I say do it too, but now you're gonna need a separate folder with tons of picture of sugar gliders to ilustrate him

Nor with the DM introducing the Sugar Glider...

I'll go ahead with it, then. Frankly, for Leena, I'm still holding true to what I said in the Recruitment, where even if there's things I want to put together in dumb ways (and potentially not even RAW ways, but that I'd asked a few people both in and out of thread on how balanced they could be), I still don't want to just do it "because I can" or because "I'm the DM". She's meant to be a supporting character, but still mostly bound by the established rules...

But yeah, Sugar Glider buddy it is. I wonder if it'd be inappropriate to link a different youtube short or video every time he's mentioned.

who is in truth a Baleful-Polymorphed level 40 fighter (the one from the legend, turned immortal) who will render all our characters moot.

Oh, those horror stories keep me up at night and I've only heard of them. Even if I make some of the antagonists strong enough to threaten the team, I'd never something like that. Even with a few allowances, Leena is built exactly as I swore she'd be: heal happy, buff capable, skill capable, non-combatant as squishy as she appears. (I wonder if this link works...)

...mind, a potential bonus boss against an Epic level Warrior of some type.... let's see how far we get first, haha.

Quick question for everyone; How long should we wait for everyone to post before posting again? I know that slowdown can kill PBP games but I also don't want to be rude and post twice in the introduction phase of the game before everyone else has even posted once.

I don't have any problem with that, BRains.

Since the holydays ended, my opinion is that we should try to post at least every other day (3-4 times a week). I know RL can get busy and we need to be understanding in that regard, but we also need to keep the game going

I'm a bit torn on it myself. I wanted to wait until everyone had posted before Slot 8 spoke herself. And then from there, 2-3 posts a week, with much more immediate responses inbetween rounds of combat.

On the other hand, I feel like I already should have posted, because I was seeing the bakery a little differently. I was going to establish that Lady Carina *bought out* the establishment for an hour so the party could gather and talk in some sense of privacy...
I was wondering about if changing up her familiar might also have been a ripple, but I suppose messages being sent out by bird is pretty appropriate still, isn't it.

Quick Edit: the contrast between Freki and Leena is one I thought was particularly funny. A former pirate being called out as impressive and fair is kinda funny.

[Arael666]

On the other hand, I feel like I already should have posted, because I was seeing the bakery a little differently. I was going to establish that Lady Carina *bought out* the establishment for an hour so the party could gather and talk in some sense of privacy...

sorry about that, I guess I jumped the boat a little bit.

Also, I was having a hard time differentiating between each charcter posts, and I believe it might be the case for other people. So I added a little template with the charcters name, portrait and a little bit of information for the DM. If you guys don't think that's necessary I'll go back to the former format

[Kuro Dmon]

sorry about that, I guess I jumped the boat a little bit.

Also, I was having a hard time differentiating between each charcter posts, and I believe it might be the case for other people. So I added a little template with the charcters name, portrait and a little bit of information for the DM. If you guys don't think that's necessary I'll go back to the former format

Heh. Jumping the boat a bit helped poke for a response, so I wouldn't say it's the worst thing to have done.

As for posts, I could try to make something for my own if need be, though I suppose I'm lucky that I don't have that problem, for the most part. Used to when I was younger, but I'm a lot more careful about not missing posts now.

Did lead to a funny incident where I accidentally made my Bard more badass in the past. Party member in the intro failed to get his attention, and ended up throwing a coin at the back of his head, and I roleplayed that my Bard was leading him to a destination while talking to other folk, and caught the coin without looking. XD

Also got stuck at work one time during a PTU game taking off, and roleplayed an absence by having the character trying to wrangle her Pokemon even while other friends around her were trying to get her attention. Hilarity ensued when she attempted to address the 5ish people trying to get her attention in character.

And speaking of funny, the contrast between Freki coming in and engorging herself and eating like a Shonen Protagonist, while others file in with various states of trust vs trepidation, and then seemingly Sieghart half expecting this girl, half his weight and basically smaller than everyone assembled, to somehow be or present a threat. Though it's also somewhat silly that Lady Carina would send a member of her court to a remote location completely alone, with only her own pets for company, haha.

Spoiler: Somewhat sensitive (and actually serious) question.

Show

I do have a question that, I admit, in not wanting to push Discord as an OOC system, I failed to ask about in recruitment: What is the best way to reach folk, assuming they don't check the forum frequently? I know at least one of you I do have access to via Discord, so any potential problems they can reach me directly, and aside from my job or sleep schedule, almost instantly since I check my phone like every few hours at minimum. I guess it's not too big a concern for those that do, but something I felt like throwing out...

And chase it with a more free thought. I know some of the party has familiars and companions, some of us aided by them for the sake of travel and combat. Those of us that don't, you can refund any purchased mounts being used just for travel, unless you so sincerely wish it. Among other things I wanted to use/establish after this opening will be most of the party traveling via Wagon, pulled by a very dedicated chicken. Those who choose to ride their own mounts can just be part of this makeshift caravan.

[ScrambledBrains]

Spoiler: Somewhat sensitive (and actually serious) question.

Show

I do have a question that, I admit, in not wanting to push Discord as an OOC system, I failed to ask about in recruitment: What is the best way to reach folk, assuming they don't check the forum frequently? I know at least one of you I do have access to via Discord, so any potential problems they can reach me directly, and aside from my job or sleep schedule, almost instantly since I check my phone like every few hours at minimum. I guess it's not too big a concern for those that do, but something I felt like throwing out...

Honestly, I'm on GITP most of the time I'm on my computer and I check it on my phone usually at work on my lunch break, so I'll usually be aware of any messages here within a few hours, a day at most.

[Arael666]

Honestly, I'm on GITP most of the time I'm on my computer and I check it on my phone usually at work on my lunch break, so I'll usually be aware of any messages here within a few hours, a day at most.

Same for me, and that can be also true with discord if we decide to use it. I have the app too