Proposed Game: Desire and the Dead (Tome)

God_of_Awesome · Post by **God_of_Awesome** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 3:44 am

Avoraciopoctules wrote:
God_of_Awesome wrote:I take it it's too late for anyone else to join?

Or for me to test-drive my Paladin class?
I am contemplating booting a couple of PCs. Also, I half-jokingly asked Kaelik if he wanted me to add a real DMPC. It isn't out of the question.

However, honestly, I have some difficulty with your classes. I still don't get the Path mechanic you wrote. I'd be willing to give it a try, particularly if your prospective PC avoids furthering inter-PC conflict without a decent reason, doesn't constantly make lewd puns, and uses decent grammar. Someone more or less sane who also has a believable reason for coming here specifically would be especially nice. But I would prefer if you went with something that doesn't use Path-based casting.

Well, my Paladin homebrew does not use the Path based casting.

However, if you would like me to elaborate on any point about the Path casting you are confused about feel free to PM as well as click on the Spoiler below.

Let's takes Osiris the 5th level Black Mage as an example. A Sorcerer still only has access to up to 2nd level spells at 5th so a Black Mage does too for the purpose of his paths.

So the Black Mage has the Path of Fire, Blizzard and Thunder and can upgrade one of those paths from basic to advance at 5th level. Osiris the Black Mage upgraded Fire. He knows burning hand, flaming sphere, chill touch, freeze arrow, shocking grasp and shocking ray. Of these, he may cast the spells of the Path of Fire, burning hand and flaming sphere, 3 times per day. The rest he casts once per day.

Black Mages also knows by 5th level magic missile, haste, slow, hold person, rage, sleep and many magic missiles from other abilities. The ability of magic missile states that it is to be treated as part of the path with the highest access. By level 5, Osiris has upgraded Fire to advanced and magic missile along with it. He may cast magic missile 3 times for day as the other spells of the Path of Fire. All the other spells come from abilities tied to the path with the lowest access, which for Osiris is both Blizzard and Thunder. He may cast those spells once per day.

Akula · Post by **Akula** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 5:38 am

Avoraciopoctules's computer is currently broken, he'll try and advance the game when he can; this is why progress has been slow.

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 5:47 am

I have some amount of access to somebody else's computer, and I saved some of my campaign info on a USB drive. I'm gonna just cut out some of the info dump from my next post so I can get it into the IC thread sooner. That should give players some time to scheme while I look for my next opportunity to write posts longer than a few sentences.

koz · Post by **koz** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 6:27 am

Good news - I had thought the game had been stillborn.

Akula · Post by **Akula** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 6:37 am

I think that Avoraciopoctules is going to get his computer fixed tomorrow. Then we should be able to start back up.

God_of_Awesome · Post by **God_of_Awesome** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 6:40 am

Hey, since I know shit and jack about the rules for the most part, could I be trusted to play a Fighter on the assumption I wouldn't know how to break it anyway?

Quantumboost · Post by **Quantumboost** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 7:02 am

If there'd still be room after the various roster changes, I'd also be interested in joining.

koz · Post by **koz** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 8:40 am

God_of_Awesome wrote:Hey, since I know shit and jack about the rules for the most part, could I be trusted to play a Fighter on the assumption I wouldn't know how to break it anyway?

Is there any reason you can't use the Soldier instead? Seriously, it'll be easier on everyone that way.

God_of_Awesome · Post by **God_of_Awesome** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 8:44 am

Mister_Sinister wrote:
Is there any reason you can't use the Soldier instead? Seriously, it'll be easier on everyone that way.

I was under the impression the Soldier hadn't been completed. Am I wrong?

koz · Post by **koz** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 9:00 am

God_of_Awesome wrote:
Mister_Sinister wrote:
Is there any reason you can't use the Soldier instead? Seriously, it'll be easier on everyone that way.
I was under the impression the Soldier hadn't been completed. Am I wrong?

Within the scope of this game, there's more than enough there.

God_of_Awesome · Post by **God_of_Awesome** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 9:01 am

Yeah, I just checked it out. It is.

Judging__Eagle · Post by **Judging__Eagle** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 8:48 pm

Play a soldier, you can break them much like you can break a fighter.

I don't see why anyone even bothers comparing the two. Having subbed Fighter levels for Soldier levels in a few characters, I only saw a change in how the character was powerful, not an appreciable reduction in power.

Heck, you can break the Soldier in more ways, than you can with the RoW Fighter. Just make sure you dip Bard and grab Dance of Nine Swords. Full BaB makes your character, and their cohort, act like Prince Adam and Cringer; when he holds aloft his magic sword, he becomes a full BaB character, and acts like He-Man, while his mount is Battle-Cat.

That Bard ability is how you can create "power up" type characters.

God_of_Awesome · Post by **God_of_Awesome** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 12:59 am

If anything, I think I'd rather play Samurai anyway. Or Knight if I can ditch the Code of Conduct.

Just some sort of armor and melee weapon class is what I'm feelin up for. Barbarian, even.

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Tue Feb 02, 2010 6:53 pm

Judging__Eagle wrote:Play a soldier, you can break them much like you can break a fighter.

People like you make Baby Orcus cry.

God_of_Awesome wrote:If anything, I think I'd rather play Samurai anyway. Or Knight if I can ditch the Code of Conduct.

Just some sort of armor and melee weapon class is what I'm feelin up for. Barbarian, even.

Any of those sound pretty workable. If you are looking for a built-in plot hook, Silent Brom is a level 8 Samurai, and a less-skilled warrior with might seek him out for instruction even now that all his physical ability scores are at 3 or less and he ends up coughing up blood if he engages in serious combat.

Quantumboost wrote:If there'd still be room after the various roster changes, I'd also be interested in joining.

With the group size as it is already, I'd doubt another PC would have a significant negative impact. I'm definitely going to be streamlining combat encounters, though. What were you thinking of playing?

Kaelik · Post by **Kaelik** » Tue Feb 02, 2010 7:06 pm

Well that's a dick move. Power up the asshole who causes interparty conflict and kick me out of the game.

God_of_Awesome · Post by **God_of_Awesome** » Tue Feb 02, 2010 7:15 pm

Avoraciopoctules wrote:
Any of those sound pretty workable. If you are looking for a built-in plot hook, Silent Brom is a level 8 Samurai, and a less-skilled warrior with might seek him out for instruction even now that all his physical ability scores are at 3 or less and he ends up coughing up blood if he engages in serious combat.

For a Fighter-Man class, that's the best time to seek out a person as an instructor cause that's usually the point they decide they need to pass on their wisdom since they really can't do much else.

Although, I'm thinking about doing something wierd. Like, use Samurai to make a faux-Paladin.

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Tue Feb 02, 2010 7:18 pm

Kaelik wrote:Well that's a dick move. Power up the asshole who causes interparty conflict and kick me out of the game.

The sword guy? Because the razorvine guy hasn't changed noticeably as far as I can see. Should I give him laser eyebeams or something?

ubernoob · Post by **ubernoob** » Tue Feb 02, 2010 7:31 pm

Two things
1) Getting big multiplies my weight by 8. If the floors have room for large creatures at all without falling out, Lord Peter can at worst go on them armored and medium sized (which shouldn't be a problem since he won't be trying to grapple titans in such areas).

2) My character killed another PC outright. Kaelik's hasn't even dealt hit point damage. I don't see why I'm in the game and Kaelik isn't.

Quantumboost · Post by **Quantumboost** » Tue Feb 02, 2010 8:04 pm

Avoraciopoctules wrote:
Quantumboost wrote:If there'd still be room after the various roster changes, I'd also be interested in joining.
With the group size as it is already, I'd doubt another PC would have a significant negative impact. I'm definitely going to be streamlining combat encounters, though. What were you thinking of playing?

Probably a Githzerai Zerth. Mechanically, Soulborn with possibly a Sohei dip.
Since I presume being a Monster Tamer for any length of time would be a death warrant when so many "people" around you are Outsiders who advance by Hit Dice.

God_of_Awesome · Post by **God_of_Awesome** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 12:29 am

Well, going for a Drowish Samurai reflavored as a Paladin / Barbarian. I'm gonna go find out what the template was and I'll have something up hopefully by the end of the day.

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 2:03 am

Ack. Just realized my last class starts in a little under half an hour at 6:30 and is 3 hours long. No big update for now, but I'll try to put up something on notable NPCs and businesses when I get the chance. Curse you, Cortex Command, for sucking up all my free time.

Brief question, how does the group feel about a district map that includes location numbers? Minor spoilers, but it will make showing where something is easier.

Oh yeah, and Akula, I'll add those image files I mentioned to my Photobucket gallery in the next day or so if I don't have them in there already.

Judging__Eagle · Post by **Judging__Eagle** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 3:40 am

I really don't see why Kaelik's PC is gone. Like, at all. I'm honestly fine with Uber's PC staying in. I'm also looking forward to seeing how RP goes in this game, and how many false assumptions are made about everything.

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 5:18 am

Back home. It looks like this P.E. class rarely lasts for the official time. More often, it's 1.5 to 2 hours.

ubernoob wrote:Two things
1) Getting big multiplies my weight by 8. If the floors have room for large creatures at all without falling out, Lord Peter can at worst go on them armored and medium sized (which shouldn't be a problem since he won't be trying to grapple titans in such areas).

At Medium size, the chances of stairs collapsing are drastically reduced, but still present. Comparatively well-maintained buildings like the Whispered Word are tough enough to stand up to the weight of Mechanus Armor, and most of the inhabited houses should be able to take light use at least. If you are looking at something in the Pyres or a below-average Hive house, there's still a good chance of problems.

There are three ogres that live here. They are brothers who run a drinking hall, and it is not a multi-story building. Most of the buildings an adventurer would be interested in are big enough for a large creature to squeeze into. I'll try and point out when someone would note flimsy construction in an area the party is considering approaching.

ubernoob wrote:2) My character killed another PC outright. Kaelik's hasn't even dealt hit point damage. I don't see why I'm in the game and Kaelik isn't.

Several reasons. I did consider booting both of you, but I discussed it with Akula, and he suggested that I reconsider in your case. There were a number of reasons. After giving it some thought, I came up with another few of my own. Here are the standout reasons.

First, your character has made it clear that he is capable of speech specifically and social interaction in general. The rest of the people in the district have considerably better chances of accepting him. He also stuck around and didn't inflict significant collateral damage (more in terms of social than physical harm) by hitting NPCs with his SLAs.

Second, you seem to have gotten the message about PCs killing each other off without decent justification in the first act.

Third, you seem to be more genuinely interested in the game. You have a backstory. You have a statblock that is much easier for the DM to use.

Finally and most trivially, the knightly orders are going to allow for several plot arcs I expect to be very entertaining.

EDIT:

I recognize that using the ease of reading someone's stat block as a factor in the decision of whether or not to kick out their PC is kind of petty. It did not figure heavily into my decision making.

ubernoob · Post by **ubernoob** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 5:35 am

Avoraciopoctules wrote:Back home. It looks like this P.E. class rarely lasts for the official time. More often, it's 1.5 to 2 hours.

ubernoob wrote:Two things
1) Getting big multiplies my weight by 8. If the floors have room for large creatures at all without falling out, Lord Peter can at worst go on them armored and medium sized (which shouldn't be a problem since he won't be trying to grapple titans in such areas).
At Medium size, the chances of stairs collapsing are drastically reduced, but still present. Comparatively well-maintained buildings like the Whispered Word are tough enough to stand up to the weight of Mechanus Armor, and most of the inhabited houses should be able to take light use at least. If you are looking at something in the Pyres or a below-average Hive house, there's still a good chance of problems.

There are three ogres that live here. They are brothers who run a drinking hall, and it is not a multi-story building. Most of the buildings an adventurer would be interested in are big enough for a large creature to squeeze into. I'll try and point out when someone would note flimsy construction in an area the party is considering approaching.

In any case, we'll work around the armor. The armor is part of the "I'm the juggernaut, bitch" theme. Herding enemies into chokepoints where the rest of the party can gank them is a pretty solid plan. No need for Lord Peter to personally enter the poorly built buildings.

Avoraciopoctules wrote:
ubernoob wrote:2) My character killed another PC outright. Kaelik's hasn't even dealt hit point damage. I don't see why I'm in the game and Kaelik isn't.
Several reasons. I did consider booting both of you, but I discussed it with Akula, and he suggested that I reconsider in your case. There were a number of reasons. After giving it some thought, I came up with another few of my own. Here are the standout reasons.

First, your character has made it clear that he is capable of speech specifically and social interaction in general. The rest of the people in the district have considerably better chances of accepting him. He also stuck around and didn't inflict significant collateral damage (more in terms of social than physical harm) by hitting NPCs with his SLAs.

Second, you seem to have gotten the message about PCs killing each other off without decent justification in the first act.

Third, you seem to be more genuinely interested in the game. You have a backstory. You have a statblock that is much easier for the DM to use.

Finally and most trivially, the knightly orders are going to allow for several plot arcs I expect to be very entertaining.

Technically speaking, I'm not against PC killing. I'm going to stay in character with my actions. This means that if JE keeps playing his character in a disruptive manner (and he did make accusations of homosexuality at basically every party member), it is perfectly in line for Lord Peter to bind Needleteeth in some rope and toss him in a chest out of the way for the rest of the adventure. If a character is disruptive, then other characters should totally make them stop being disruptive as they can.

Yes, I'm telling you that unless JE plays his character in a less annoying manner Lord Peter will have in character justification to lock him up so we don't have to read such terrible posts.

Akula · Post by **Akula** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 5:43 am

Yes, I'm telling you that unless JE plays his character in a less annoying manner Lord Peter will have in character justification to lock him up so we don't have to read such terrible posts.

I'm all for that.

However about:

(and he did make accusations of homosexuality at basically every party member)

To be fair to JE, many of the party members had already implied that they were bisexual or homosexual themselves.