I've said this before, and I'll say it again. Roleplaying is a social contract between the DM and the players, and I won't deny that I've been as guilty as anyone of breaking it in the past. A lot, in fact, and it's a constant struggle to remind myself to follow it. You get as much out of a good RPG as you put into it. So, here to help people in the future is the triangle of player commitment:
Skill
I'm not saying that newbies aren't welcome. New people are here to learn and D&D is one of the easiest systems to learn on. It is the gateway into Roleplaying. But one of the easiest pitfalls that players fall into is not becoming familiar with your character, mechanics-wise. You need to have a good understanding, even if it takes you a few sessions, of what your character can and can't do from the perspective of saving time during encounters and not dying during encounters. Resurrection spells, while they exist, are not cheap. Players need to know:
- The fundamentals of combat - move, then attack. Charge if you want to be really fancy. Something as obscure as the grappling rules you can look up as the situation calls for it.
- Your character's own attack rolls - have them written down. Draw up a list of all the weapons you carry and what kind of bonuses they have to hit and damage. It'll save you time and effort later on.
- Your character's abilities - Dailys, Encounters, Unlimiteds. Keep track of them all because no one else is going to do it for you. This takes honesty and integrity as well but that's not an issue with this community...is it? :3
My only request is that you do not take this as an insult to your intelligence because it's not. I know many people who are so, so guilty of neglecting this aspect of themselves if they don't have someone to do it for them. Stuffs was very nice with his D&D campaign but all you BESM players, if we ever pick up that campaign again I am crackin' the whip!
Understanding
Roleplaying is just that. You're playing a role. You are not yourself, you are someone else. So another area in which I've found that players are lacking a bit is in character development. A lot of people tend to write up a character background and not much else, and it's not even a very detailed one at that. I remember when I did my BESM campaign Stuffman actually gave a model character sheet - it wasn't elaborate, richly detailed prose. It was a document that outlined the basics of who his character was, where she was born, where she grew up, what she liked and disliked, how she approached certain situations. That's step one.
Step two is to be consistent. Roleplay those characteristics. The more you practice the more you will find yourself fitting organically with your in-game self and if you find that difficult, well then maybe you can try a new character or suffer some life-changing event that affects your character's outlook. Talk with your GM in private about your ideas. Give them a better idea of what your character likes and doesn't like, of what they want and don't want. I have a little story to relate to you of a Star Wars campaign I'm in:
We have a Jedi character. Let's call him Jason, for the sake of argument. Jason is pretty awesome but not in a broken way. He devises creative ways to use his Force powers, always has a plan for the situation, and seems to single-handedly win combat encounters by himself. We're all a little jealous of Jason and his one-man army ways but he keeps us alive and lets us continue enjoying the story, plus his player is a really nice guy when you get past the jackass exterior. No, what really bothers us is that Jason is always getting all the cool plot hooks and interesting events seem to be happening to him behind our backs. No one else is there so we can't know what's going on but there seem to be an awful lot of one-to-one exchanges between him and various GM characters.
So, on the very last session of the year, one of us finally has the courage to speak out. Actually, it wasn't me. But this other player says what we've all been thinking. Jason is getting an awful lot of airtime. We're part of the party too, right? That's when we find out: Jason's player has been emailing our GM once a week every week with thoughts, ideas, or random chatter about his character. Our campaign has been going on for several months now, with around one session a month, so you can imagine how much information has been accumulated over this period of time. As a result, our GM has a very good idea of what Jason wants and doesn't want. He knows Jason almost as well as he knows Jason's player and can see when he does things to advance his character's own personal goals and actively reward him for that.
Now you all don't have to do that and I wouldn't expect anyone in one of my groups to send me a PM every week about their characters, but this is a perfect illustration of how you can get the most out of a game. The more you tell your GM, the more material he has to work with when writing stories. You could get derailed from the main plot for ages working out something and that's all well and good because when it comes down to it, the GM's main story will always be there. He might gently (or not-so-gently) try to lead you back onto the beaten path but at the end of the day wouldn't you want a good story to last forever?
Communication
This ties in with the above two very well. If you want to do something or try something, or if you have problems, or if you want advice talk to the GM. Poor communication kills. Poor communication is why my campaign died. And scheduling conflicts, and school work, and blah-blah-blah but you get the idea. Contrary to popular belief most of us (I'm not sure about Purvis, to be honest but...) are not here to kill you or make your life difficult. I can't vouch for anyone else but it makes me happy when people come and talk to me and say "oh my god, when so-and-so did that thing with the two wands of lighting and the keg of alchemist's fire it was AWESOME" or "I bet so-and-so is going to show up again later. He's totally not dead." It also gives me an idea of who's causing trouble or who you want to see more of. That sort of thing.
So, in conclusion, the more effort you put into your character, both through the mechanics and the writing, the more you will get out of the experience. I'll say it as many times as I need to. Oh and, forgive me for slipping in a parting shot, but it's so easy to criticise a system for 'roll-playing' without actually bothering to write your own character or flesh them out. Only a poor craftsman blames his tools.
PSYCHADELIC BEARS!
I'm curious, but how does this work? Do you use them fancy online tabletop software doohickeys?
We used MapTools.
It's very well established that I'm interested, just posting anyway since you said to go on and do so :V
The game will run in the same timeslot as before 11 AM EST (4 PM GMT).
And yes, the Tome of Battle is fine. Encouraged in fact, since core fighters are woefully inadequate.
3.5E is another option. Actually, it would probably be easier for me as I know a lot more about 3.5E than 4E, and it tends to play faster. It's not much fun to play for core melee types though, and the tactical aspect kind of falls apart because the game's balance is unsalvagable. Still, it's better for a game that's less combat-focused than 4E.
Okay, so how do you guys feel about a 3.5E game then?
I have a PDF of every book. Every single one.
Note that if we play it I will be applying liberal handwavium in making awful classes and races less awful, so you should hopefully be able to play whatever you want and remain relevant.
The game will run in the same timeslot as before 11 AM EST (4 PM GMT).
And yes, the Tome of Battle is fine. Encouraged in fact, since core fighters are woefully inadequate.
Anyway, should I PM you the more problematic aspects of my character so you can decide if it's ok or not?
Ooh, if it's not a secret, could you post them here? I'm curious how it could be problematic (and I do know just how problematic aspects of 3.5 can get).
Winter break just started so hopefully I can join.I hope you'll be able to play for longer than that! A campaign takes like six months minimum to complete. I hope you guys realize this is a significant commitment. Though, it's okay if you want to jump in and try it and leave later when you need to. I'm expecting some people to need to drop out after a while, so I might start with an oversized party.
Er... By the way, this just occurred to me... Am I going to need the rulebooks and stuff? I actually don't have any, and come to think of it, I'm inexperienced enough that it might be a problem. I didn't even realize that druids were Divine spellcasters rather than Arcane until today <_<;I will make sure everybody has the PDFs they need. Don't feel bad about piracy, since Wizards abandoned 3E entirely and doesn't even sell the books anymore~
On Sunday? I'm in church then...can't it be 12/12:15?12 might be doable? We had it at 11 before for Acidus and Wrathie's sake, but they might not be playing this time around. We don't have much wiggle room because we're playing with people all over the world. Can everyone do 5 PM GMT? A full session can run up to 3 hours.
I REALLY would like in (and the church thing will become null in a couple months when I move.
Anyway, should I PM you the more problematic aspects of my character so you can decide if it's ok or not?Go ahead.
Have you guys considered playing Pathfinder rules instead?
Ooh, if it's not a secret, could you post them here? I'm curious how it could be problematic (and I do know just how problematic aspects of 3.5 can get).
It involves appendages that should not be named.
Anyway, this is our list of people interested:
- Pesco
- Rabbit
- Xan
- ShiningDrake
- Arashi
- Fightest
- Mr_Bob
- Moerin
12 might be doable? We had it at 11 before for Acidus and Wrathie's sake, but they might not be playing this time around. We don't have much wiggle room because we're playing with people all over the world. Can everyone do 5 PM GMT? A full session can run up to 3 hours.
Why aren't I listed :(?Whoops, added.
Whoops, added.
You ARE UK right? (I really wish changing names wasn't allowed...)
Can everyone do 5 PM GMT? A full session can run up to 3 hours.
5pm GMT would suit me perfectly, but I'd probably have to break halfway through for dinner. But as long as that's okay, I'm fine with the time~
u?...
Finally, is the setting within the D&D multiverse?I wasn't planning on it, since I wanted to make up planes and dimensions and stuff as I went along, but I don't mind if Sigil exists. I don't know a lot about it though, aside from the Lady of Pain and all that.
: The Tarrasque is summoned for 1 round in the center of the battlefield. It attacks somebody at random.
Oh good fucking lord.
... this is going to be hilarious and I love you both, Stuffman and UK.
Are there any restrictions to what kind of characters we can make? I don't even know where to begin.
Hm, that's not a bad idea.
Tomorrow I'll be hanging in #touhou-dandy at dejatoons. (Get it? D&D? Dandy? GET IT?) Being there is not required, I'll just be there to answer questions, distribute books, and help with whatever concepts you may have. Nothing will be set in stone yet.
Hm, that's not a bad idea.I'll hopefully be around at some point to discuss an old character of mine that...will probably have a level adjustment, to put it simply. That is, if I can figure out how to get there. Never did learn me how to use them there Eye-Are-See...
Tomorrow I'll be hanging in #touhou-dandy at dejatoons. (Get it? D&D? Dandy? GET IT?) Being there is not required, I'll just be there to answer questions, distribute books, and help with whatever concepts you may have. Nothing will be set in stone yet.
: The Tarrasque is summoned for 1 round in the center of the battlefield. It attacks somebody at random.
No need to worry that much. Stuffman's handwavium should keep you safe-ish. Anyway, it's part of the psychadelic bears and giant squirrels routine.
It'll be something like silly seriousness. Not to be confused with serious silliness. If something can happen, there'll always be a logical explanation for it.
It'll be something like silly seriousness. Not to be confused with serious silliness. If something can happen, there'll always be a logical explanation for it.
That's fine then. If it's a "one thing led to another and now we're having a dance-off with mutant illithids" thing, then it's a-okay!THIS IS THE BEST CAMPAIGN EVER
Uh... might I suggest that not be one of the possibilities? The big T will turn a character below level 13-ish into a fine red mist, so that's essentially a roulette death sentence, and those aren't very fun.
The first 4E campaign I did here was a joke campaign, all the monsters were just puns and references and stuff. (The psychedelic bear followed an encounter with a bunch of skeletons called the Grateful Dead). The second that we played for a bit was more serious.
Basically, it won't be off the wall like the first one, but if you're looking for a super serious dramatic game then I'm not the DM for you. I like to take it easy.
How do 3.0 weapon size rules work? Technically your wild magic rules are house rules as well though, right?In 3.5, weapons are classified as light, one-hand, or two-hand, and also what size character they are made for. So it's two parameters. In 3.0, it was just one parameter; weapons were classified as small (light), medium, or large (need two hands). If you were a small character, you shifted the weapon sizes one size up; therefore for a halfling, a longsword is a two-handed sword. This way makes more sense to me, and doesn't require me to generate multiple sizes of weapons.
<Fightest> also, what's this Hengyokai dealie?
<@Stuffman> It's from Oriental Adventures
<Fightest> aah, cool
<@Stuffman> It's normally an LA +1 but it honestly kinda sucks so I let her have it for free
<Fightest> what's it do?
<@Stuffman> It's a shapeshifting animal. Polymorphs into a cat
<@Stuffman> Lemme get the statline
<@Stuffman> +2 Dex, -2 Wis, +4 Balance, polymorphs into a cat. Yep.
<Fightest> and it had LA?
<@Stuffman> Yeah
<Fightest> jesus
<Fightest> just a regular cat?
<@Stuffman> Yeah
<Fightest> well... I guess it's a danger to commoners
<@Stuffman> Hahaha
<Pesco> Wut
<Fightest> in dnd 3.x regular housecats can very realistically kill commoner humans
<ArashiKurobara> Mechanically it fit her concept perfectly.
<ArashiKurobara> The fluff's all wrong but that can be redone if needed.
<ArashiKurobara> *shrug*
<@Stuffman> Yeah she's only a Hengeyokai mechanically
<Fightest> will there be Orin jokes?
<@Stuffman> Oh and she also has a cat familiar so lol
<@Stuffman> SUP DAWG I HEARD YOU LIKE CATS SO I PUT A CAT ON YOUR CAT SO YOU CAN CAT WHILE YOU CAT
<ArashiKurobara> lol
<Fightest> oh god take a level of druid and get a cat animal companion too
<Pesco> I am so eating her cat if I get the chance
<Fightest> become crazy cat lady
<theshim> and then sorceror
<theshim> and get a cat familiar
<Fightest> a wizard already
<theshim> oh?
<theshim> nerts
<Fightest> although Ultimate Magus DOES kick ass...
<@Stuffman> Take that gain familiar feat repeatedly
<@Stuffman> Take a cat every time
<Fightest> oh, and go into the beastmaster prestige class
<Fightest> take a cat every time
<Fightest> that's, like, 6 cats at least
<@Stuffman> Okay we are now optimizing to see how many cats a character can become
<Fightest> best optimization ever
<Fightest> needs more mirror image
<Fightest> at max CL, that's, like, +8 cats
<Fightest> on top of the 6 cats already there
<Fightest> maybe a few cats here and there
<Fightest> we're looking at at least 15 cats
<ArashiKurobara> Cast Mirror Image on every cat
<ArashiKurobara> At least until you run out of spell slots.
<@Stuffman> They'll never know which cat is actually you
<ArashiKurobara> Also go focused conjuror
<Fightest> eh, Chain Spell metamagic
<ArashiKurobara> Prep a ton of summons
<ArashiKurobara> Summon cats.
<Fightest> profit
<ArashiKurobara> Except it's not on any of the summon monster lists that I can see
<Fightest> pff
<ArashiKurobara> I think a fiendish housecat would not be out of line added to Summon Monster I
<ArashiKurobara> PrC into Malconvoker
<ArashiKurobara> get extra summons when you summon fiendish things
<Fightest> pit fiend cats
<Fightest> marilith cats
<Fightest> practical cats
<Fightest> dramatical cats
<Fightest> fanatical cats
<ArashiKurobara> heh
<Fightest> etc. etc.
<Fightest> at that point you'd need the swarm template
<Fightest> or maybe an ooze
<Fightest> i can already tell this game's gonna be interesting
<@Stuffman> Cat ooze??
<@Stuffman> You are now imagining a cube of cats taking up the space of a gelatinous cube
<Fightest> rolling over everything in its path
<Fightest> and adorable all the way
<Pesco> ...
<theshim> this discussion is completely awesome
Book of Exalted Deeds? I, uh, don't even know what that is x: Nor what Vow Feats are. *is clueless* Her character concept just happens to involve her being a pacifist.
Book of Exalted Deeds?
Nor what Vow Feats are.
Book of Exalted Deeds
Vow Feats
Depends on how generous your GM is about handing out the fancy items and whether your PC is a monk or not. Vow of Poverty gives consistent benefits no matter what kind of campaign you're in so it kinda takes control out of the GM's hands in that regard. Now admittedly, Vow of Poverty is only truly broken on Monks since everyone else will still have to follow the restrictions and it will cripple them. The pacifism vow is quite a tricky one depending on what kind of campaign you play as it can really polarise the players.
Okay guys since 3.5 can be kinda broken I came up with some more house rules to lower the power of the players, just a little bit.
- Your starting gold will be the only gold you get for the entire game, so spend it wisely!
- Adjusting the rule from before, instead of half+1 of your hit dice, you will only receive 1 HP per hit dice. Including the first. (This has the added bonus of making the game more realistic, and realism is always good!)
- Everyone must take at least ten levels of Paladin, after which they will be forced to fall.
- If anybody rolls a 1, the entire party dies. How exciting!
Looking forward to seeing you all in the game!
EDIT: As a side note, Vow of Nonviolence was written for characters like Mina, but unfortunately it kicks your party members in the stomach because THEY get penalized for killing too. Which is stupid.
Now admittedly, Vow of Poverty is only truly broken on Monks
No. It's garbage on monks, leaves them with absolutely zero way to deal with a lot of stuff (e.g. flying enemies). It's druids that it's broken on (lol Wild Shape).
Oh rly? >:3
... tackling a bunch of punks...
RAAAAAAhey
hey
HEY
Would it be metagaming if I bought a +2 Sword of Punkslaying at character gen?
You guys will probably need some details of the over-arching plot before you can do that, and I don't have it sorted out yet.
I can tell you that it will involve tackling a bunch of punks trying to capitalize on the planar disaster, but I'm also working on personal reasons to get involved.
I do not like Pathfinder. The solution to fixing a wildly broken game is not to make everyone more powerful.
3.5 may be broken, but at least it's actually fun. ^_^
Hey guys after some careful thought it has occured to me that running a party with over ten people is probably not such a hot idea. I think we probably should split into two groups. Who among us thinks they'd also be capable of DMing a game?
Fightest - Axis, Gold Dwarf Fighter/Crusader
A dwarf that grew up on the mean streets of Sigil, and was exiled by doing something utterly unspeakable involving the Lady of Pain.
I remember back when you didn't survive crossing the Lady of Pain. =[
Okay guys I'm moving out, I'll be offline until I get internet in my apartment. We'll probably start the weekend after.
lol nevermind, stolen wireless
Still, I'll wait to have a direct connection before running the game, but I'll be around part of Sunday in #touhou-dandy again (will probably be moving some furniture I left behind that day).
Posting here for clarification. I've been reading the DnD books for a while now, and while I'd like to be ready in time to play, I'll need a bit more time before I think I'll actually have everything done. (As it stands, I'm choosing between a human ranger or human scout.)
I'm usually on IRC, but I'll post more details for everyone here when I work things out.
Extradimensional Adept
Hit Die: d8.
Requirements: Knowledge (The planes) 8 ranks, ability to cast divine spells, must have visited a plane other than her
home plane at some point.
Class Skills: Concentration, Craft, Escape Artist, Hide, Knowledge (Arcana), Knowledge (Religion),
Knowledge (The planes), Move Silently, Profession, Search, Sleight of Hand, Spellcraft, Spot.
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
BAB Fort Ref Will Features Dimension Shift Spells
1st +0 +2 +0 +2 Extradimensional Storage I, Dimension Shift 30 ft, 100 lbs -
2nd +1 +3 +0 +3 Storage Transfer 40 ft, 100 lbs +1 level
3rd +2 +3 +1 +3 Shift Self 40 ft, 200 lbs +1 level
4th +3 +4 +1 +4 Extradimensional Storage II 50 ft, 200 lbs +1 level
5th +3 +4 +1 +4 Dimension Anchor 50 ft, 300 lbs +1 level
6th +4 +5 +2 +5 Shift Ally 60 ft, 300 lbs +1 level
7th +5 +5 +2 +5 Extradimensional Storage III 60 ft, 400 lbs +1 level
8th +6 +6 +2 +6 Quickened Shift 70 ft, 400 lbs +1 level
9th +6 +6 +3 +6 Shift Other 70 ft, 500 lbs +1 level
10th +7 +7 +3 +7 Extradimensional Storage IV 100 ft, 500 lbs +1 level
Spells per Day/Spells Known
At each level after 1st, when a new Extradimensional Adept level is gained, the Adept gains new spells per day (and
spells known, if applicable) as if she had also gained a level in a spellcasting class she belonged to before she added
the prestige class. She does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. If she
had more than one spellcasting class before becoming an Extradimensional Adept, she must decide to which class she adds
the new level for purposes of determining spells per day.
Extradimensional Storage (Su):
A Extradimensional Adept is able to cut a small hole in the fabric of reality, and reach into an extradimensional
personal stash that she can access anywhere. Treat this class feature as being in permanent possession of a Bag of
Holding (Type I). However, the Extradimensional Storage cannot be pierced (or otherwise damaged) or turned inside out,
as a Bag of Holding can. It will also not allow a Portable Hole to enter it. At 4th level, the Extradimensional Storage
expands as a Type II Bag of Holding; at 7th level, it expands as a Type III Bag of Holding; at 10th level, it expands as
a Type IV Bag of Holding.
Dimension Shift (Su):
An Extradimensional Adept has the uncanny ability to warp objects through extradimensional space, teleporting them
anywhere within her area of effect. To use Dimension Shift, the Adept chooses a single, nonmagical, unattended object
and an open space to move it to; both must be within her line of effect and within the maximum range of the ability. The
object is instantly teleported to the chosen destination. Using Dimension Shift is a standard action that provokes
attacks of opportunity. Dimension Shift can be used a number of times per day equal to 1 + your wisdom modifier. If
extradimensional travel by the object or at the destination is blocked, Dimension Shift simply fails.
Objects can be shifted in any direction, up or down, as long as the destination is within the Adept's line of effect;
heavy objects might fall onto creatures below and do falling damage to them. In this case, creatures may make a reflex
save (DC 15, +1 for every 100 pounds of the object) to avoid any damage.
The maximum range of Dimension Shift is 30 ft, and it can move an object up to 100 lbs in weight. At level 2 and each
even-numbered level thereafter the maximum range increases by 10 ft. At level 10, the maximum range jumps to 100 ft. At
3rd level and each odd-numbered level thereafter, the maximum weight of an object that can be moved by Dimension Shift
increases by 100 pounds.
Storage Transfer (Su):
At 2nd level, the Extradimensional Adept can use her Dimension Shift ability to move objects to or from her
Extradimensional Storage. If the Storage doesn't have enough room to hold the object, the ability fails.
Shift Self (Su):
At 3rd level, the Extradimensional Adept can use her Dimension Shift ability on herself. This allows her to teleport
anywhere she could shift an object to using this ability (except her Extradimensional Storage). She carries any objects
she has with her (up to her maximum load), but no other creatures can be brought along.
Dimension Anchor (Su):
The 5th level, the Extradimensional Adept can use her powers to block extradimensional movement, by reversing the powers
she uses to facilitate it. This ability takes one use of Dimension Shift. The target of this ability must make a Will
save (DC 15 + your wisdom modifier) or be subject to the effects of a Dimensional Anchor spell. The target must be within
the range of your Dimension Shift, and be medium size or smaller. You can use this ability on a creature larger than
medium size, but it requires one additional use of the Dimension Shift per size category above medium.
Shift Ally (Su):
At 6th level, the Extradimensional Adept can use her Dimension Shift on a single willing creature of medium size or
smaller. This is used in the same manner as shifting an object (again, you cannot move a creature into your
Extradimensional Storage). You can shift a creature larger than medium size, but it requires one additional use of the
Dimension Shift per size category above medium.
Quickened Shift (Su):
At 8th level, the Extradimensional Adept can use her Dimension Shift, or any of her other abilities that make use of it,
as a swift action once per day.
Shift Other (Su):
At 9th level, the Extradimensional Adept can use her Dimension Shift on unwilling creatures of medium size or smaller.
This is used in the same manner as shifting an object (again, you cannot move a creature into your Extradimensional
Storage), but an unwilling subject may make a Will save (DC 15 + your wisdom modifier) to be unaffected. You can shift a
creature larger than medium size, but it requires one additional use of the Dimension Shift per size category above medium.Panther Person
Hit Die: d8
Requirements: Ability to cast 2nd level divine spells, Knowledge (Nature) 7 ranks.
Class Skills: Concentration, Craft, Diplomacy, Handle Animal, Heal, Knowledge (Nature), Listen, Profession, Ride,
Spellcraft, Spot, Survival, Swim.
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.
BAB Fort Ref Will Features Spells
1st +0 +2 +0 +2 You Can Turn into a Panther! +1 level
Spells per Day/Spells Known
When a level of Panther Person is gained, the character gains new spells per day (and spells known, if applicable)
as if she had also gained a level in a spellcasting class she belonged to before she added the prestige class. She
does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. If she had more than one
spellcasting class before becoming a Panther Person, she must decide to which class she adds the new level for
purposes of determining spells per day.
You Can Turn Into a Panther! (Su):
You can turn into a panther. Treat this as the Druid's Wild Shape ability, except the only form available is a
panther (use the statistics for the Leopard in the Monster Manual). A Panther Person is proficient with all natural
weapons she uses in this form.
- At least Dimensional Anchor should be a Spell-Like Ability, maybe some of the Dimension Door variants as well. That would make the DCs on that not as static by being (10 + 1/2 level + Wis mod), which makes the ability scale better, I feel.
Good session today guys. For anyone who missed it:
- I plan to have sessions both next Saturday and Sunday, to help finish up the individual scenarios. This won't be the norm though, I can't really handle two sessions per week :V
- We will be starting at 12:30 PM on Sundays from now on, per UK's request.
Is there a log of this, so I understand what went down?
You weren't there, man! Everybody died because you weren't there! Our blood is on your hands!:V
Well, that's mainly because I had to come up with increasingly complex reasons for people to get sucked into portals!
You try doing it eight times in a row without getting boring!
No session last week far as I know. To be clear I'll be here for tomorrow's session due to drastic changes of plans that worked out :awesome:lyTwo weeks ago then? I did miss both.
I wasn't sure what to do with Axis+Rin. Theoretically they should be from the same point in time since they started together, but if Rin is from modern day Gensokyo (around Disaster +400 years) that would mean the Sigil Axis is from would be modern day as well (Sigil with internet, WTF?) Would you guys like to resolve this somehow?
I think Rin would have to have time shifted at some point after leaving Gensokyo, as Nobu suggested.
Speaking of which, my rule on retraining is simple: you can change one thing per level. You can change one feat, one spell/power you know (useful for you Xan if you want to try different things), or move points from one skill to another, once at each level up.
Stuffs is back \o/. Game should be on tomorrow.
Oh hey, um, I forgot I'm gonna be out of town this Sunday. :V
So yeah.
Also, Nobu: after doing a bit of research and breaking down the math I have discovered that, as written, Weapons of Legacy suck. As such, yours will be considerably stronger than any of the examples in the book. Yay!
Oh! When will Axis' adventures in the ~*~MEIKYUU MEIKYUU MEIKYUU LAB-Y-RINTH~*~ of Shadows be?
At this point I have only received levelups from UK and Arashi.
But hey, if you want to sit around at level 5 that's your call :3
Oh god sorry I forgot :(
On the plus side, my hospital visit has fully resolved my terrible illness.
Bad news, I have to work the next two Sundays, so no more D&D until next year :ohdear:Massive :( ensues. G'luck, then.
Well, many of you will probably have other things to do anyway.
It's 2011 now~! So I probably should have bumped this earlier but I wanted to confirm that Stuffs says we're on today, so get in dandy within the next half hour, yo~
01[14:14] <~Stuffman> Suddenly!
[14:14] <Liadan> < >_> >
[14:14] <Axis> D:
01[14:14] <~Stuffman> Off the side of the road, some kind of bizarre, hovering construct appears!
[14:15] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Ah."
01[14:15] <~Stuffman> It doesn't look like anything you've seen on Mechanus so far.
[14:15] <Shoe-Hybrid> Does it look like a creature or a thing?
01[14:15] <~Stuffman> It looks vaguely humanoid in shape, but composed of large, random machine parts.
01[14:15] <~Stuffman> "YOU! WIZaRD! HALt!"
01[14:16] <~Stuffman> "I HAVE WoRDS FOR YOU."
[14:17] <Axis> "Dammit, cat!"
[14:17] <Axis> "Every time!"
[14:17] <Axis> "Every! Sodding! Time!"
01[14:17] <~Stuffman> "tHE REST OF yOU ARE NoT OFF THE HOOK."
[14:17] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Me?"
01[14:17] <~Stuffman> "YES. YOU."
[14:17] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Now what could you possibly want with little old me?"
06[14:18] * Shoe-Hybrid in cat
[14:18] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Truffle, aim at him"
06[14:18] * Shoe-Hybrid steps forward, with her hands open.
01[14:19] <~Stuffman> "ThIS IS THE THiRD DIVERGaNCE NOw. IF YOu CANNOT GET It RIGHT THIS TiME, I WILl SEE TO It THAT YoU ARE REPLACeD!"
[14:19] <Mina> ....
[14:19] <Mina> This does not sound good
06[14:19] * Shoe-Hybrid looks puzzled
[14:19] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Well, you have the advantage of me."
01[14:19] <~Stuffman> The construct looks exasperated, which is pretty weird for a construct.
01[14:20] <~Stuffman> "I wILL EXPLAIN."
01[14:20] <~Stuffman> "THiS IS THE oNLY PLACE I CAN SPeAK WITH YoU, SO LIStEN CAREFULLY."
[14:20] <Shoe-Hybrid> "How gracious of you."
[14:20] <Axis> Axis is fuming.
06[14:20] * Shoe-Hybrid actually looks a little worried
[14:21] <Mina> "Divergence... Is this perhaps something regarding temporality?"
[14:21] <Shoe-Hybrid> "That much I had already surmised, Mina"
01[14:21] <~Stuffman> "SToP. TRYiNG. TO CREaTE. TIME LOOPS! YoU CANNOT DO IT!"
[14:21] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Oh, and why not?"
01[14:22] <~Stuffman> "YoUR WIlD MAGiC RUINS EVERyTHING. IT iS DIFFErENT WITH EACH iTERATION. SoONER OR LAtER THAT DAMN TErRASQUe SHOWS UP AND WReCKS THE wHOLE ThING."
[14:22] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Well, yes, that's how probability works"
01[14:23] <~Stuffman> "By YOUR VERy NATURE, YOU CANnOT CREATE A STABlE TIME LOOP."
[14:23] <Shoe-Hybrid> "You do something enough and you'll get every result"
[14:23] <Mina> Oh god Unstable Time Loops
[14:23] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Oh, because I'll do something differently every time I try to close it?"
01[14:23] <~Stuffman> "YEs. BECaUSE I KNOW YoU ARE AN IDiOT AND WILL TRY AnYWAY, TAKE THIS."
01[14:24] <~Stuffman> It produces a book and hurls it at Shoe.
01[14:24] <~Stuffman> The cover reads: "Treatise on manipulation of probability"
[14:24] <Shoe-Hybrid> "But I'm already good at it!"
01[14:24] <~Stuffman> "NOT GOOD ENOUGH."
01[14:24] <~Stuffman> "GeT BETTER."
[14:24] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Who are you anyway? You have no right to call me an idiot!"
[14:24] <Shoe-Hybrid> "That's reserved for these knuckleheads."
[14:25] <Shoe-Hybrid> "And just what am I going try? Also, I reiterate, who are you?"
01[14:25] <~Stuffman> Mina cannot discern anything. As far as she knows, it is a unique being.
[14:26] <Shoe-Hybrid> Is there an author listed on the book?
[14:26] <Mina> Schrodinger. Obviously
[14:26] <Mina> Schrodinger is the author
01[14:26] <~Stuffman> "THE THiNGS I CAn TELL YOU ARe LIMITED, sO AS TO NoT INTERFeRE WITH YoUR ALREADY PALTRy POSSIBiLITY OF SUCCESS."
[14:26] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Ooh, how paltry?"
[14:26] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Is it by any chance .0001%?"
01[14:27] <~Stuffman> "Do I LoOK LIKE A CaLCULATOR? JUST DoN'T SCReW IT UP THIS TIMe. NOw, THE ReST OF yOU!"
01[14:27] <~Stuffman> "BArD!"
[14:27] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Well, kinda, yes."
[14:27] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Well, whatever. I'll consider this payment for your indiscretion in calling me an idiot"
06[14:28] * Shoe-Hybrid hmmphs and walks back in line rigidly
01[14:28] <~Stuffman> "DId YOU FInD THE iNSTRUMENT i LEFT FoR YOU? THE MeTALLIC ONe?"
[14:29] <Kaoli> "That steam guitar thing?"
[14:30] <Axis> "The WHAT?"
[14:30] <Axis> "You clowns ever gonna tell me about these things?"
[14:30] <Shoe-Hybrid> <Um, you were hypothetically there for that>
[14:30] <Shoe-Hybrid> <Just not yourself>
[14:31] <Kaoli> "Y'know.. that big metal thing Rin carries around. It goes pschooo?"
[14:31] <June> "It gives everyone around her a headache, but she's immune to it."
01[14:30] <~Stuffman> "sHE MUSt MASTeR IT. THErE ARE tWO WAyS TO DEFEaT THE FRoST KING. ThE FIrST IN BATTlE, tHE SeCOND IN SOnG. If YOU ARe FORCED TO FiGHT, It WILL CoST YOU DEaRLY, PARTICULARLY THE CRUSaDER."
[14:32] <Axis> "I ain't paying nuttin'!"
[14:33] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Wait, who's this Frost King?"
01[14:34] <~Stuffman> "THe LOrD OF ICeL?ND. I Am GIVInG YOU ADViCE FOR THE FUTuRE."
01[14:34] <~Stuffman> "He HAS THe KEY."
[14:34] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Ah."
[14:34] <Axis> "Oh, huh. That's actually pretty useful. Thanks, tin can!"
[14:35] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Am I going to get an answer on who are you, btw?"
[14:35] <Shoe-Hybrid> *by the way?
01[14:35] <~Stuffman> "NO."
01[14:35] <~Stuffman> "NoW, THE SWORDSMaN!"
[14:35] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Can I guess, like in those fairy tales?"
[14:35] <Rin> (So... From what I gathered, I need to get into a guitar duel with this Frost King guy. Awesome.)
01[14:35] <~Stuffman> "It DOeS NOT MATTeR WHEN, BUT IF He DOES NOT COMPLeTE HIS TASk YOUR QUESt WILL BeCOME IMPOSSIbLE!"
[14:36] <Axis> "Hah. Yeah, right."
01[14:36] <~Stuffman> "iF HE MANAGeS TO SAVe HIMSElF IS aNOTHER MaTTER ENTIReLY. ONCe HE SUCCeEDED, ONCe HE DID NoT."
[14:36] <Shoe-Hybrid> "...we've done this before, haven't we?"
01[14:37] <~Stuffman> "aS I SAiD, THiS IS THE THIrD DIVERGAnCE!"
[14:37] <Axis> "Oh for Lady's sake."
01[14:37] <~Stuffman> "WHERE iS THE SCoUT?"
06[14:37] * Shoe-Hybrid shuts up for once
[14:37] <Shoe-Hybrid> and thinks
[14:37] <Axis> "Drop the act, tin can! You gotta say something, say it straight, don't go all ye olde speechtalk on us!"
01[14:38] <~Stuffman> The construct blits out for a moment, and reappears in the distance next to June!
01[14:38] <~Stuffman> You can't hear what it says to her.
01[14:38] <~Stuffman> "YoU."
[14:38] <June> "...Me?"
01[14:39] <~Stuffman> "YOU MuST NOT KILL HIM. YOu WIlL UNDERSTaND WHEN THe TIME COMeS."
01[14:39] <~Stuffman> He blits back to the party after that.
01[14:40] <~Stuffman> "WhAT ElSE." It seems to be thinking.
06[14:41] * June shelves this information in her head
[14:41] <Axis> "You done?"
01[14:41] <~Stuffman> It notices Shoe's Ioun Stone. "ARe YOU STILL USInG THAT?"
[14:42] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Hey! It looks cool!"
[14:42] <Shoe-Hybrid> "And I bet it has awesome power!"
01[14:41] <~Stuffman> "FoRGET IT. IT iS IRRELEVaNT."
01[14:42] <~Stuffman> "I wILL SPeAK TO YoU AGaIN ON THE WAy OUT If I THInK OF ANyTHING IMPORTaNT."
01[14:42] <~Stuffman> It blits out.
[14:42] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Wait. I have three questions"
[14:42] <Shoe-Hybrid> "DAMMIT"
[14:42] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Fine, I'll catch him on the way out."
01[14:43] <~Stuffman> Well that was fun! The party continues on down the road.
[14:43] <Axis> "It's your fault cat."
[14:43] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Though I did want to ask about the modron"
[14:43] <Axis> "And, guess what. Again."
[14:43] <Shoe-Hybrid> "I'm sure you'd love to think that"
01[14:44] <~Stuffman> Blit! "WHaT DID YOu WaNT To ASK."
[14:44] <Shoe-Hybrid> "This just got bigger than you can possibly comprehend"
[14:44] <Axis> "Oh for..."
[14:44] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Well, first, I was wondering if you could tell us where this rogue modron is, IF you are not him."
[14:44] <Shoe-Hybrid> "And second if we're going to have to kick his ass"
[14:44] <Shoe-Hybrid> "I'll save the third question for the way out"
01[14:45] <~Stuffman> "Do I LOoK LIKE A MoDRON TO yOU? It IS AT THE eND OF THiS ROAD. WHeN YOU SEE THE MoNODRONES iT IS NEaR."
[14:45] <Shoe-Hybrid> "I don't know what a decaton looks like."
[14:46] <Shoe-Hybrid> "As for question two? I assume it's something still in the air, even in this plane"
[14:46] <Shoe-Hybrid> "But I'm wondering what course of action is more likely to happen"
01[14:46] <~Stuffman> "WHy AM I EVeN TELLiNG YOU THiS? IT iS IMPOSSiBLE FOR YoU TO FaIL. THaT IS THE NaTURE OF ThIS PLaCE. AlWAYS THe SAmE. If YOU HaVE DOnE THE MaTH THErE Is NO WaY TO LOSe."
[14:46] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Ah, that's reassuring!"
[14:46] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Not that I was ever worried"
01[14:46] <~Stuffman> "NoW GO." Blit!
[14:46] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Actually, I'll have a fourth question later"
[14:46] <Shoe-Hybrid> "But yeah."
[14:47] <Axis> Axis facepalms.
[14:47] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Now, as for things being my fault, some temporal counterpart of me is probably at fault for things."
[14:47] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Certainly not ME though"
[14:47] <Axis> "Now what I was tryin' to say."
[14:47] <Axis> "Is that it's only as big as ye think it is."
[14:47] <Shoe-Hybrid> "That's either very profound or very stupid."
[14:48] <Shoe-Hybrid> "I'll confess my feeling is that it's the latter."
[14:48] <Axis> "Some tin can shows up and starts spoutin' soddin' kobold crap, and you gonna sit on yer ass and believe it?"
[14:48] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Yes and no."
[14:48] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Let me put it this way. Everything is true somewhere."
[14:49] <Axis> "Oh Lady take ye it's contagious!"
[14:49] <Mina> "Under the circumstances, such a temporal counterpart would likely be identical, with the exception of permutations of wild magic, and that being's interference..."
[14:49] <Axis> "Get away from me, cat, or imma start speakin in godsdamned rebuses meself!"
[14:49] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Oh, hey, you just hit on my fourth question, Mina."
[14:49] <Shoe-Hybrid> "I'm going to ask about the previous two iterations and this...things involvement"
[14:49] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Hmm, we should give it a name."
[14:51] <Axis> "Or we could ignore its metal ass and do what we came here to do."
[14:51] <Axis> "Scout Girl, you see anything up ahead?"
[14:51] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Well, I'd like a convenient refereand talking about it in the future."
[14:52] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Even if it's something crude like Bucket of Bolts."
[14:52] <Shoe-Hybrid> "As I'm SURE you'd love to call it"
[14:52] <Rin> "Call it Bob, then."
[14:52] <Axis> "Too much effort to give that thing a name. I'd rather forget it as a waste of my time."
01[15:46] <~Stuffman> Blit! "I REMeMBERED."
[15:46] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Of course you did, Bob."
[15:47] <Axis> "And here I was in a good mood"
[15:47] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Alright, first question. Do I become the Demon if I succeed?"
[15:47] <Shoe-Hybrid> "You probably can't answer that but questions unasked are annoying."
01[15:47] <~Stuffman> "I DoN'T KNoW BECAuSE YOU NEVER SUCCeED."
[15:48] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Secondly, how many times have you spoken to us?"
[15:48] <Shoe-Hybrid> "In prior iterations?"
[15:48] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Actually, no, that gives you leeway. Have you spoken to us, here, now, in prior temporal situations?"
01[15:49] <~Stuffman> "THiS IS THe FIrST TIMe I HAvE ELECTEd TO SPEAK WiTH YOu, ThOUGH I hAVE INTERFERED WITH PReVIOUS DIVeRGANCES IN VaRIOUS WAyS."
[15:49] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Interesting. I figured as much."
[15:49] <Shoe-Hybrid> "I don't think I have any other questions. Though I do hope to find out who you are. When we succeed, you'll tell me. Understood?"
01[15:50] <~Stuffman> "I DOn'T TAKE OrDERS FRoM YOu, THiS IS YOUr FAUlT IN THE FIRST pLACE."
01[15:50] <~Stuffman> "NoW, WhAT WAS I GOInG TO SAY"
[15:50] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Fine. But you'll consider a request, right? After all, you're betting we won't succeed. So make your wager."
01[15:50] <~Stuffman> "I'M NoT PLAyING YOUr GAMES, WiZARD."
[15:51] <Shoe-Hybrid> "But perhaps I don't want you to, and I'm just pushing you to see what happens."
[15:51] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Now, what were you saying?"
01[15:51] <~Stuffman> "HeRE IT IS."
01[15:51] <~Stuffman> "SAvE BLAcKMOON FOR LaST."
[15:51] <Shoe-Hybrid> "I thought that was being handled by the modrons."
01[15:52] <~Stuffman> "THOsE BaSTARDS ARE PoWERFUl. THE FoRMIANS WIlL OnLY DELAY THEm."
01[15:52] <~Stuffman> "YOU WIlL NEED EVErY RESOURCe YOU CaN GET."
[15:52] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Just friendly all around, aren't you?"
[15:52] <Shoe-Hybrid> "At least we get to punch the undead guys in the face."
[15:53] <Axis> "Like it was gonna be any other way."
[15:53] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Well, I was afraid we'd miss out on the fun."
[15:53] <Axis> "Lady take ye, ye'r just sodding telling us stuff we already know."
[15:53] <Axis> "I can do that too!"
[15:54] <Axis> "Hey, Cat! You're a cat! Bewaaaaaaaaaaaare of water!"
06[15:54] * Shoe-Hybrid glares at Axis.
[15:53] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Admittedly, I kinda want to see what would happen if we did it now."
[15:54] <Shoe-Hybrid> "But, now I want to know what happens if we do it next."
[15:54] <Axis> "And Frog Girl! If you cut your enemies. They will bleeeeeeeeeed!"
[15:55] <Axis> "There, some high-grade precognition for you clowns."
01[15:54] <~Stuffman> "FINE, I GRoW WEARy OF YoU AS WELL. IF yOU DO THiNGS RiGHT WE WiLL NEVER SEe EACH OTHER AgAIN."
[15:56] <Kaoli> "B-Bleed? ;_;"
[15:57] <Axis> "That's right, Frog Girl. Even YOU would do the same, for you ALSO have blooooooood running in your veins!"
[15:55] <Shoe-Hybrid> "I hardly know you. Suffice it to say when I've realized the full extent of my power I'll have a WONDERFUL game for you to play."
01[15:55] <~Stuffman> "ThIS IS THE lAST DIVERGANcE I WiLL TOLERaTE. YoU ARE AlREADY DOwN TO EiGHT PARTY MeMBERS. ThERE WERe SUPPOSeD TO BE tEN!"
[15:56] <Axis> "Two more of these godsdamned clowns? I don't know if I could take the strain!"
01[15:57] <~Stuffman> "NoT THaT THE DRoMITE OR THE eWOK WERe PARTICULaRLY IMPOrTANT, BuT IT IS DiSTRESSING NONeTHELESS."
[15:57] <Rin> "Oh no, I barely register."
[15:57] <Shoe-Hybrid> "More future stuff to scare us, I suppose."
[15:56] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Aren't we at 9? Me, Axis, Alric, Liadan, June, Kaoli, Mina, Rin, Truffle..."
01[15:57] <~Stuffman> Bob sees Truffle. "WAiT. WHaT?"
[15:57] <Shoe-Hybrid> Truffle meows
01[15:57] <~Stuffman> "WHy IS THeRE ANOtHER CaT?"
[15:57] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Uh, yeah. She shoots things. Really well~"
[15:58] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Oh, something you DON'T know?"
[15:58] <Shoe-Hybrid> "I rescued her from the facility about a year ago. I took her as my familiar. I later enhanced her capabilities."
01[15:58] <~Stuffman> "FoRGET IT. I DoN'T CARE."
01[15:58] <~Stuffman> "DOn'T SCReW IT uP!" Blit!
[15:58] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Maybe now...dammit, I wish he'd stop doing that when I've got the advantage."
[15:59] <Rin> "Orderly folks are like that. They can't see themselves as being wrong, so they run off before you can properly argue with them."
[15:59] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Quite so~"
06[15:59] * Shoe-Hybrid pets Truffle
[15:59] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Well, you're an unexpected little bonus to us, it seems."
06[16:00] * Shoe-Hybrid says purringly
[16:00] <Axis> "That's stupid. I'd bash their face in if they did that!"
[16:00] <Shoe-Hybrid> "You forgot to bash in Bob's face."
[16:00] <Shoe-Hybrid> "That would have been amusing, really."
[16:00] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Now let's get out of here. It's too confining.
[16:00] <Axis> "I kinda like it. Hold on."
[16:01] <Axis> Axis shuffles about on the spot, moving his arms and legs in a highly-ordered fashion
[16:02] <Axis> "Heh, kinda fun. Rin could probably do it better."
01[16:02] <~Stuffman> Blit! "aRGH. ONe MORE THiNG!"
[16:02] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Yes, dear prophet of severed timelines?"
01[16:02] <~Stuffman> It points at Mina. "GeT IN ToUCH WItH YOuR SIsTERS." Blit!
[16:03] <Shoe-Hybrid> "...there are more of you, Mina?"
06[16:03] * Shoe-Hybrid looks her up and down
[16:03] <Mina> "My sisters... They're alive?"
[16:03] <June> "There are more of you, Mina?"
06[16:03] * June takes a completely different tone than Shoe
06[16:03] * Mina doesn't have time to be stunned by this revelation
[16:03] <Shoe-Hybrid> "More kitties, huh?"
[16:03] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Well, you'll have to tell them the great care I've taken of you~"
[16:04] <Mina> "Um... Yes, I have two older sisters... I got separated from them when I was first captured by Lux Habitum... Both of them have the same dimensional abilities I do..."
[16:04] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Are they cute kitties as well?"
[16:05] <Mina> "E-eh? Um... Lucca has cat-like eyes, and Luna has furry ears...?"
[16:05] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Ah, so not quite a kitty like as you."
[16:06] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Ah well, I look forward to meeting them~"
[16:06] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Always good to see more cats around."
[16:07] <Shoe-Hybrid> "Let's get out of here."
Bad news guys, I have a family function to attend this Sunday. No chance of a game.
This really sucks because it kills our chances of having everyone together for the battle.
I dunno. How does everyone's Saturday look? That's the only other time it can happen.
Saturday is doable, even on shim time. I'd PREFER earlier if possible.
shim timefor some reason this makes me giggle
Hm... I THINK I can manage Saturday, just this once. I'm likely to be very heavily distracted for at least part of the session however, as I have Nobilis that day, and later on (not before 2 AM Sunday GMT) will be running a game of my own.
Weekdays are completely undoable, I work a ten hour shift with a two hour commute. Sorry.Bugger. Sundays only for me then. As of next week, with switching the clocks, I wouldn't be around until 8:30 or later Saturday nights anyway. :( :( :(
I don't think I'm gonna make it tomorrow. I have work until late in the afternoon, and when I get home, I'm probably gonna sleep. 3:
Now we just need Rin to pick a PrC and make me reference YET ANOTHER book to make me flip my shit. :V
So I was all "Oh man, I could totally go to MoCCA and get a CMYcat shirt" and then I realized D&D.
>:|
I'm just going to order it off the internets after the weekend. :VWell, yeah, but MoCCA! And Ananth and Yuko! And other people!
Well, yeah, but MoCCA! And Ananth and Yuko! And other people!
@shim: I'm still sing...oh wait!are you hitting on me