Apolyton D&D: SF's PBEM. - Page 8

Skanky Burns · September 17, 2003, 21:49

Quote:

Originally posted by Skanky Burns
Yeah, that could work...

Sorry, I have to report that your story didn't work. I rolled a 19 on detect motive.

In other news, my new dice work well.

SnowFire · September 18, 2003, 00:43

#$%&*@# #$*^$!

Bah. I suck. Sorry guys, but an annoying instance which shall go unreported so that I don't rant wiped the turn I was working on. And I'm in too evil a mood to rewrite it tonight (mutant fleas attack and infest the city. Everyone dies except your group, which survives with hideous disfigurement and become part of a merfolk zoo after the aquatic invasion.).

And Makeo, yeah, Uvaer shan't be getting an update for a bit, I'm afraid. He might get one before this is all over, though, depending on how this works out....

Urban Ranger · September 18, 2003, 03:12

That's why always use a text editor to write these long messages.

BTW, I highly recommend Eudora. You can save letters in progress so that you retain your work even when the computer crashes on you.

Makeo · September 18, 2003, 13:20

Skanky Burns · September 18, 2003, 21:19

SnowFire · September 19, 2003, 06:50

Hmm, does it auto-save? It was one of those power-off/power-on deals, so most other styles won't work. See, I use a text editor as well, but my text editor of choice is Notepad, which while amazingly efficient, has no autosave.

Anyways, turn sent.

Urban Ranger · September 19, 2003, 10:23

I think it does auto-save as well.

Urban Ranger · September 19, 2003, 22:43

Quote:

Originally posted by SnowFire
It was one of those power-off/power-on deals, so most other styles won't work. See, I use a text editor as well, but my text editor of choice is Notepad, which while amazingly efficient, has no autosave.

We old timers learned the hard way to save every so often. Like every paragraph or so.

Skanky Burns · September 20, 2003, 01:48

I was going to post before that I always saved after each paragraph. But I learnt to do that the hard way, many a times.
My old computer would make North Korea look stable in comparison.

Urban Ranger · September 20, 2003, 21:45

Yes, we are all slightly paranoid that way

Anyway, back to the game. I think we probably can start by coordinating what feats/skills each of the character get when we gain levels.

Skanky, is Dorlin going to be the group's diplomat, so to speak? Does it get in the way of him acquiring more combat-oriented skills and feats? Afterall, he seems to be the groups only full time melee fighter. Uvaer is a fighter of sorts too, but I reckon he'd be better in developing the areas of tracking, wilderness survival, and ranged combat.

Skanky Burns · September 21, 2003, 01:47

Dorlin is a fighter first and foremost. While there are no combat-related skills preventing him from being a diplomat, he hasn't focused on being one.

I wouldn't mind an additional melee fighter in the group though, with 3 others already ranged fighters.

EDIT: I can't count.

Urban Ranger · September 21, 2003, 11:43

3? I see Korendil is sort of a fighter, he looks like fighter/wizard. Menchi seems to be a straight rogue, and Uvaer a ranger. Zerak is not a fighter. No, he stays in the back

Korendil · September 21, 2003, 15:16

A minor note on Korendil; due to a specific arrangement with the GM, Kory's fighter skills are not the norm. He is specifically a ranged fighter. Melee weapons are worse than useless in his hands. Plus, his Con isn't so hot, so he's not got terribly many hit points. Dorlin is our official Wall, with hopefully Uvaer moving to back him up as we increase in levels.

As a minor side note, discussing who takes what feats so as to optimize party performance in combat is definitely pushing the edges of what I personally consider "metagaming." I'd be happier if we simply add skills and feats that seem appropriate to the characters and focus on the roleplaying over the combat, especially since combat is so deadly dull and noninteractive in PBEMs. If Dorlin suddenly realizes that his true calling is to be a master of dinner table ettiquette and lets his combat skills slide, then so be it. We shall just have to come up with creative ways to use Profession: Butler in combat.

Urban Ranger · September 21, 2003, 23:27

Quote:

Originally posted by Korendil
As a minor side note, discussing who takes what feats so as to optimize party performance in combat is definitely pushing the edges of what I personally consider "metagaming."

Not really. Imagine a team of characters discussing how to work together in various ways.

Zerak, "Dorlin, you are pretty good with that halberd."
Dorlin (proudly), "Yes, I pride in my expertise in letting our enemies eat cold steel. Just yesterday, I practiced two hours with Muto."
Menchi, "Cold steel? I have never tried that before. How does it taste?"
Korendil gives Menchi a glare.
Zerak, "It looks like you will be our point man in combats."
Dorlin, "You can count on me. I am prepared to find new and innovative ways to dispatch them quickly."
Menchi, "Hey! I can stab them from behind too you know."

[And the discussion continues]

Quote:

Originally posted by Korendil
If Dorlin suddenly realizes that his true calling is to be a master of dinner table ettiquette and lets his combat skills slide, then so be it.

But that's so out of character! Besides, he's clumsy.

Skanky Burns · September 22, 2003, 00:04

Hence

Quote:

We shall just have to come up with creative ways to use Profession: Butler in combat.

Makeo · September 22, 2003, 04:06

Huge mountain troll bears down on the party just as they are sitting down to some nice hot tea and scones. Their waiter Dorlin trips, sending the scalding hot tea spiralling through the air covering the mountain troll. He screams writhing in pain on the ground, blinded.
"Would you like me to butter your scone, Zerak?" asks Dorlin
"Yes Please"
Dorlin picks up Zeraks scone in one hand and with a flourish scoops a large chunk of butter onto his knife. It was an impressive stylish manouvre marred only when the knife flies from his grasp, imbedding itself in the mountain trolls eye.

Skanky Burns · September 22, 2003, 05:39

Hark! The mountain troll had a friend who arrived at the scene only moments later.
Menchi: "I know the perfect recipe I can use a mountain troll in! The cook at the barracks would never let me try it."
Uvaer: "mmph. not eat troll"
Kory: "We may be out in the wilderness, but some standards of civilization must be met. Waiter!"
Dorlin: "Some champaigne, sir?"
Kory: "Of course."
Dorlin opens the bottle of champaigne, but alas, the cork goes sailing off on an intercept coarse with the charging mountain troll. A critical hit right between the eyes, the cork does 24 subdual damage. The troll is out cold.

Nah, I think Dorlin will want to stick with a halberd. I have a newfound respect for Sergeant Jeremy's deadliness though.

SnowFire · September 23, 2003, 23:49

I may have to sic marauding mountain trolls on y'all now. Look what you made me do.

As for UR's comment on working together... I agree with Nathan in that you should choose your character's development, well, in character with what he does. That said, to some extent this might be influenced by what others can do, and that's fine. As an example, in a 2nd edition game that I've mentioned before- one that both Nathan and myself were in-
1) It was pretty hack & slash. Our DM gave us a lot of stuff to kill. So some "party optimizing" was expected.
2) One character was a thief, and another was a thief-mage. The latter was a thief in class only, not in spirit- he happened to be a locksmith, and as part of that he knew everything about locks and a few other associated skills (like how to listen well). He had his Open Locks skill maxed from 1st level, and had a special non-weapon proficiency that was basically "Locksmithing."
3) In the actual campaign, I believe we ran into precisely 1 locked door. We did a lot of breaking & entering, too (not the best matching of challenges against the party, but oh well).
4) So, our true-thief (not the locksmith thief-mage)... decides to max out her Open Locks by around 6th level or so?! Now, learning some from her new friend is fine, and having some ability for your own use. But it's not like she roleplayed out learning the locksmithing trade or anything. She just randomly maxed that out, when we (theoretically) could have used other skills.

So that might be taking things too far. Of course, part of that has to do with the fact that her thief didn't really have much character, so if you can't act out of character, why not at least be efficient, but ah well.

Skanky Burns · September 25, 2003, 08:12

As long as we get to have the picnic too.

Why would someone max out something another person already is an expert with? Particularly when they have not used the skill at all yet.

Alas.

Makeo · September 25, 2003, 13:42

Well Uvaer is a ranged fighter and thats what he is primarily interested in.

He doesn't mind jumping in amongst it either, however his preference is for ranged combat.

Urban Ranger · September 25, 2003, 22:43

Excellent. Just don't hit us by mistake

Skanky Burns · September 26, 2003, 01:26

Great. I just realised that Dorlin will be the sole fighter out the front when someone attacks the group. Not only does he have to face that danger though, but he will have the rest of you behind him, throwing or shooting things towards him.

With the aim everyone has displayed, Dorlin may as well start writing out his will now.

Wraith · September 26, 2003, 02:53

--"In the actual campaign, I believe we ran into precisely 1 locked door."

Heh. Sounds good to me. Menchi is not good with locks, nor is she likely to ever be. She does like to climb on things, but that one hasn't helped much so far either. Ah well.

--"As long as we get to have the picnic too."

Just let Menchi know, and she'll get something packed. ^_^

--"With the aim everyone has displayed, Dorlin may as well start writing out his will now."

Hey, think on the positive side. He hasn't been hit by friendly fire yet.

(Yes, note that Menchi is quite short, even for a halfling. This means that she doesn't see the half of the glass that's empty; a recipe for instant optimist)

Wraith
Carpe DM: Seize the Dungeon Master

Korendil · September 26, 2003, 22:16

Hey, Kory has yet to miss a single shot! Mind you, he's only fired twice, and that at ten foot spiders from close range, but still.

Rest assured that Precise Shot tops my list of feats. I'd have it already if nonhumans didn't get dicked over in feat selection.

Urban Ranger · September 27, 2003, 22:20

Pah, you gotta balance them out somehow.

Urban Ranger · September 29, 2003, 21:54

What about "Ghost Wing?"

Skanky Burns · October 2, 2003, 00:21

"Ghost Walkers"

Urban Ranger · October 4, 2003, 02:45

Where's everybody else?

Korendil · October 5, 2003, 02:39

I'm dead. Can't speak for anyone else. The land of the dead is very boring, and our Internet connection sucks. Also I am thirsty.

Skanky Burns · October 5, 2003, 06:19

You too? I keep getting poked by a stick of blaming.

Irl, I'm rather busy. Work and then friends visiting straight after, still here. Why won't they just leave me alone? :cries: