Hahaha! Well written too. I appreciate the use of spells to demonstrate.
That's fine with me. I usually play mages of one type or another, and I enjoy the lore D&D has put forward concerning magic, so I, the player, should have no trouble following you. Doroga might have a little here and there.
I'm curious now, how much experience we gained from that fight. My original build plan has me taking fighter 4 next level, and then wizard. However, the order is interchangeable, though taking fighter first grants me a useful feat and a +1 BAB. Either way, I think I'll simply decide depending on how much EXP we gained.
Relative to what we need to level, a lot would suggest I was working on fighter, a little and I could begin focusing on wizard earlier. I think I will let that decide, and RP it to the best of my ability.
Hahaha! Well written too. I appreciate the use of spells to demonstrate.
That's fine with me. I usually play mages of one type or another, and I enjoy the lore D&D has put forward concerning magic, so I, the player, should have no trouble following you. Doroga might have a little here and there.
I'm curious now, how much experience we gained from that fight. My original build plan has me taking fighter 4 next level, and then wizard. However, the order is interchangeable, though taking fighter first grants me a useful feat and a +1 BAB. Either way, I think I'll simply decide depending on how much EXP we gained.
Relative to what we need to level, a lot would suggest I was working on fighter, a little and I could begin focusing on wizard earlier. I think I will let that decide, and RP it to the best of my ability.
I vote picking up fighter first, then going wizard; once you start taking levels of wizard it's going to be hard to stop, in my experience playing multiclass gishes. Magic is just so awesome.
That said, in RP terms it'll give Perelia a more believable amount of time to teach Doroga simple magic; especially because at this rate, it wouldn't be unreasonable to level up after the encounter with the drow. He may have a solid base to work with, but going from no spells to first level spells in two days would be crazy.
__________________
I'm currently recruiting for my Red Hand of Doom game set in Eberron. Come check it out!
I too suspect that is how it will end up playing out. If we make it to level 7, I'll be diving into Abjurant Champion, probably as an attempt to forge my own melding of magic and melee. Wall, AoE control spells, and buffing spells are going to be quite useful to my build. \o/
Tentative XP Rewards (each; assuming nothing happens before bedtime):
2,080 XP (not bad, considering that's more than half of what you need to level!)
Policies:
This includes individual pre-barfight earnings (included in the overall pool, as that is how I like to interpret group dynamics), as well as combat XP from the fight itself. Also included is an overall RPing bonus because you all rock.
Another tradition of mine is to let players bring up memorable/stylish moments in the last XP "period", which, if argued believably, will earn you extra XP. I like this method (stolen from an old DM of mine) because it involves the players in a dynamic way with the development/education of their characters, and allows for some earnings outside of combat (and inside, as the case may be). It also makes it so that not everyone's XP tracker will look exactly the same, all the time. It is also a way to help out crafting characters with those pesky XP costs for making stuff. Note that these bonuses can even be rewarded for things that have already been accounted for in XP earnings. They are bonuses for doing things you would normally do in ways that are particularly stylish/story or character-driven/descriptive/generally awesome.
So, get reminding and describing, and I'll assign bonuses accordingly, based on what I feel the "CR" for each described incident would have been, taking into consideration the DMG's "inflation rate" of XP for different level characters.
And a final note: I do XP as per the rulebooks, but with heavy ad-hoc scaling based on my view of individual scenarios' challenge levels and story importance. Trust that I'm not being willy-nilly, but please don't ask for a point-by-point breakdown! Remember that I've also got to account for the trajectory of the campaign with regards to characters' numerical progressions. Though character comes first, of course, it's all about balance!
Another tradition of mine is to let players bring up memorable/stylish moments in the last XP "period", which, if argued believably, will earn you extra XP. I like this method (stolen from an old DM of mine) because it involves the players in a dynamic way with the development/education of their characters, and allows for some earnings outside of combat (and inside, as the case may be). It also makes it so that not everyone's XP tracker will look exactly the same, all the time. It is also a way to help out crafting characters with those pesky XP costs for making stuff. Note that these bonuses can even be rewarded for things that have already been accounted for in XP earnings. They are bonuses for doing things you would normally do in ways that are particularly stylish/story or character-driven/descriptive/generally awesome.
The first act that deserves a bit of attention is Perelia's performance for the crowd, which not only kicked off a bit of surprise plot, but gave Noristour a firm reason to go to her for aid, and to help her on her personal quest to learn as much magic as she can. It was an important moment to her, and it gives a literally awesome visual.
And, of course, I feel that it would be wrong not to include the fact that she not only kicked off the fight but that, with the help of a bit of good fortune, she managed to sweep all of the wizards off their feet, and it was by her hand that both their leader and their last combatant fell.
And most recently, I feel that both this post and the one preceding it deserve a little attention, partially due to the sheer effort that went into them and the fact that taking on a magical apprentice is rather important; or at least, it is to Perelia and Doroga. Add this to the fact that it gives them a watertight reason to travel together, one of the most important parts of having a true party instead of a collection of individuals, and I think it may be worth a little bit of craft-with-able XP.
I'm not quite sure if this is how you wanted her notable deeds and words presented, but I've done my best to make it presentable. Keep in mind, also, that she will do a fair amount of scrollmaking and crafting, especially since she may pick up Craft Wondrous Item next level; any extra xp is just going to go back to the group in the long run.
__________________
I'm currently recruiting for my Red Hand of Doom game set in Eberron. Come check it out!
At Ryn's retort, surprise and satisfaction spread over Neth's face. There were clearly two sorts of authority in any land — the widely-worshipped and the often-mocked; but one never knows when a whole population will get the two mixed up. To hear a man who called the Dales his home speak like this to the leader of a town was a relief. This made it clear to Neth that there lived at least some among these people who saw good sense and despised arrogance.
Actually I spoke to him like that *because* he's respected . Cheerful mocking is best expressed to those who aren't to full of themselves, and that you know are just and fair enough to take it in stride.
- Cheers, Key
__________________ The Kingdom of Arim Campaign - OOCICDice
Spoiler
God does not play dice with the universe; He plays an ineffable game of his own devising, which might be compared, from the perspective of any of the other players (i.e. everyone), to being involved in an obscure and complex version of poker in a pitch dark room, with blank cards, for infinite stakes, with a dealer who won't tell you the rules, and who smiles all the time.
Actually I spoke to him like that *because* he's respected . Cheerful mocking is best expressed to those who aren't to full of themselves, and that you know are just and fair enough to take it in stride.
- Cheers, Key
Ahahaha, awesome. Neth has clearly seen too many overstuffed civilized folk to understand that there are some who are decidedly not. Perhaps she shall piece this together when the councillor's reaction is not stuffed up and pompous, but rather hearty and in the same tone. Otherwise, she may remain an ignorant woodsie on the matter until saying something based on this blatant assumption that lands her in some kind of incomprehensible trouble that she can't for the life of her discern the cause of.
Again, I must offer a meagre apology. I fell asleep last night in the middle of writing my post. I am working on the last couple paragrahs now, and it will be posted very very soon. Stayed out too late last night, I fear. But today and tomorrow are clear for me so expect all due postings in good time!
Neth summons Ryn's soul back to his body with Beacon of Keylac, and bids him speak among us once more.
Sorry, ended up on a last minute trip to help out my grandmother with some stuff for her upcoming move. I brought a laptop, but she doesn't have internet, so I can only post every other day or so, when I go somewhere with wi-fi.
I'm currently at Starbucks, "enjoying" over=priced coffee.
Will put up an IC post in a minute,
- Cheers, Key
__________________ The Kingdom of Arim Campaign - OOCICDice
Spoiler
God does not play dice with the universe; He plays an ineffable game of his own devising, which might be compared, from the perspective of any of the other players (i.e. everyone), to being involved in an obscure and complex version of poker in a pitch dark room, with blank cards, for infinite stakes, with a dealer who won't tell you the rules, and who smiles all the time.
Ryn's post is now up. Will make my next post either later tonight or tomorrow before work. In the interim, feel free to make any more comments you like.
A note on pacing: I realize things are moving a wee bit slow ATM, but once the drow bit is over (the adventury bit of which should move fast anyway) there'll be a lot of abbreviated travel time (during which time things like crafting and training etc. can be rolled for/briefly described etc.) as you guys travel from place to place.
A meta-note: Though the object of Herlam's journal is to start you guys on a sweeping tour of the realms, it is not (as will be revealed to your characters) a matter of going from point A to B to C to D ad infinitum. Rather, story circumstances in the now will mesh with the journal's hints to create a more organic campaign path. I have tons of stuff prepared and planned, but I am most definitely an organic-style DM, and the ingenious threads of my master story-telling ken stretch far and wide!
Anyhow, just wanted to make that stuff clear so you guys have a good idea of what to expect from here on out. I would also like to take this time to remind you all that, should you so desire (but it is by no means required) you can comb back through the events of the story so-far to (as Ragged has) mention some scenes in which you did something super creative/above and beyond the call of duty/super hilarious, for to receive XP bonuses.
Ragged: Speaking of which, don't think I forgot about your submission. Just gonna wait to see if I get any more. I find it useful to have multiple bonus-scenes to work with for the purpose of XP-scaling, fairness etc.
Sorry, ended up on a last minute trip to help out my grandmother with some stuff for her upcoming move. I brought a laptop, but she doesn't have internet, so I can only post every other day or so, when I go somewhere with wi-fi.
I'm currently at Starbucks, "enjoying" over=priced coffee.
Will put up an IC post in a minute,
- Cheers, Key
Hey, I hope it's going well. I was just kidding, as I figured you had an extra legit reason that had been occupying your time!! I hope your grandmother's doing well with her move. I also used to work at Starbucks and though I am not directly responsible, I feel compelled to apologize for the obscene prices.
btw, if no one else is in the mood for torturing the Thayans, I'm fine with that... just thought we might be tired of discussing things for now and could use some brief entertainment. Personally I'd never get bored of discussing things with you all. But fighting together was pretty fun and I'd like to do it again. NOW!
Also, another thought... I'm not sure if we ultimately decided what we were going to do about the drow... I like Keylac's plan too. I had considered one way to jump into the action quicker might be to take Herlam, now-ish perhaps, and disguise ourselves in a wagon, cart or something, led by Roen as an innocent looking farmer, who when asked about the contents of his load would claim "Aye, they be just me sacs o potaters," and we could skedaddle out of town, possibly meet with a drow scouting party on the lookout in case we did this very thing, but likely not expecting the old man to be guarded by so many fearsome adventurers, and then we could squash them. I am aware this is probably not a good plan, but I just wanted to say it in case it gave someone a better idea.
TSM has a few days off again, (psh! not fair ) so he can make lots of posts and speed things up. He said he's just waiting for everyone to decide where we're taking the action...
Hey, I hope it's going well. I was just kidding, as I figured you had an extra legit reason that had been occupying your time!! I hope your grandmother's doing well with her move. I also used to work at Starbucks and though I am not directly responsible, I feel compelled to apologize for the obscene prices.
Quite well in fact, only one more shed to clean out, and I'll at least be done with the outside. Though it took my 5 bloedy hours to put all her CD's on the ipod I gave her.
Quote:
btw, if no one else is in the mood for torturing the Thayans, I'm fine with that... just thought we might be tired of discussing things for now and could use some brief entertainment. Personally I'd never get bored of discussing things with you all. But fighting together was pretty fun and I'd like to do it again. NOW!
Unfortunately, torture isn't allowed under a good alignment - and frankly, I'm morally opposed to it as well, except under circumstances of immediate life or death. Thankfully, nothing says we can't try to *scare* the information out of them. I plan to use you as a threat btw. "The Rashemani woman out there would really prefer we throw you into the cooking pot to slowly roast, but I think I can convince her to let you live if you help us out..."
If you guys question the woman, you could use a line like that on her too.
Quote:
Also, another thought... I'm not sure if we ultimately decided what we were going to do about the drow... I like Keylac's plan too. I had considered one way to jump into the action quicker might be to take Herlam, now-ish perhaps, and disguise ourselves in a wagon, cart or something, led by Roen as an innocent looking farmer, who when asked about the contents of his load would claim "Aye, they be just me sacs o potaters," and we could skedaddle out of town, possibly meet with a drow scouting party on the lookout in case we did this very thing, but likely not expecting the old man to be guarded by so many fearsome adventurers, and then we could squash them. I am aware this is probably not a good plan, but I just wanted to say it in case it gave someone a better idea.
We hadn't discussed it yet, so far as I know. I'd only presented the plan as a preliminary to presenting it IC. I'll do that as soon as we're done with the Thayans.
I've no issues with how well your plan would work, but I would personally prefer to invite the drow attack, then smash the crap out of it. Safer for the town that way. Plus, more loot.
- Cheers, Key
__________________ The Kingdom of Arim Campaign - OOCICDice
Spoiler
God does not play dice with the universe; He plays an ineffable game of his own devising, which might be compared, from the perspective of any of the other players (i.e. everyone), to being involved in an obscure and complex version of poker in a pitch dark room, with blank cards, for infinite stakes, with a dealer who won't tell you the rules, and who smiles all the time.
Unfortunately, torture isn't allowed under a good alignment
Well shucks.
Haha, actually I was kind of thinking along the same lines as you, as with the psychological threatening and intimidation, and my mind hadn't really wandered quite as far down the gruesome road as the word 'torture' really does go.
But yes, it should be enough I think. We're lucky they happen to be Thayans, and we happen to have a Rashemi. I imagine if we ever have a Crinti tied up at our feet, Roen will be a similar benefit. Unfortunately I don't think my character is very physically menacing. But she might be able to pull off the sick-and-twisted-savage-witch-doctor-of-nameless-horrors deal.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Keylac
I've no issues with how well your plan would work, but I would personally prefer to invite the drow attack, then smash the crap out of it. Safer for the town that way. Plus, more loot.
Ah, yes. Even if we left with Herlam, we're not guaranteeing the safety of the town at all. And who would turn down all that extra loot? I shame myself.
Expect another IC post by me once we return from dinner later tonight!
TSM
PS: DW, you still around? As usual I'm personally not in any rush or state of impatience - just thought I'd ask cuz you haven't posted in a little bit.
Posted. Sorry about the delay. I just got hired for a new job (HUZZAH!) and my mind hasn't been on cultivating a good story. Hopefully my post will (IC) explain my silence to some degree~
Now that most of it is in motion, I sat down and thought about what Doroga could be doing. I decided everyone seems to have it all well in hand, save one loose end. So, I think Doroga is going to address that~
No worries DW! Congrats on the new job. I know how difficult it can be to find one, the way things are these days. And just so I'm totally sure, you're offering to be Herlam's at-hand bodyguard for the remainder of the fiasco, yes?
In my upcoming post, I'll assume that's the case, but feel free to let me know otherwise.
Doroga doesn't know Drow but by rumors, but he knows backstabbing stealthy bastards fighting the Grey Orcs of his homeland, and that even the best laid plans can fall to nothing in a second. Best to have all the bases covered!
RSS Feeds: 
Re: The Journal of Herlam Corkwill - OOC
. Cheerful mocking is best expressed to those who aren't to full of themselves, and that you know are just and fair enough to take it in stride. 
) so he can make lots of posts and speed things up. He said he's just waiting for everyone to decide where we're taking the action...
