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The Pit
Oct 11, 2011 18:39:54 GMT -5
Post by Scott on Oct 11, 2011 18:39:54 GMT -5
Fin will go with the fighters after Katarina. He figures she's especially pissed at him for looting her boudoir. He is completely uninterested in schlepping along through the forest with a bunch of smelly humans...wait, that didn't come out right. You know what he means.
Fin knows her main coffin is in the bedroom -- he meant "where is/are her backups, if known?"
White Castle...hilarious!!
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The Pit
Oct 11, 2011 20:27:16 GMT -5
Post by Bolo on Oct 11, 2011 20:27:16 GMT -5
Do vampires really have to stay in their coffins during daylight hours, or are they okay being up in the daytime so long as the daylight can't reach them?
If the latter, then Bolo isn't keen on being left anywhere underground while all the front line fighters go off elsewhere. And waiting around outside without fighters isn't so attractive either, with wyverns and huntsmen and whatnot liable to show up at any moment.
If it really is based on the time of day, then I'm not clear what the need is for splitting up the party in the first place.
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The Pit
Oct 11, 2011 21:35:57 GMT -5
Post by Wolfgar on Oct 11, 2011 21:35:57 GMT -5
The DM (through Benasarion and the rescued prisoners) is strongly suggesting that waiting in the Pit until morning to hunt down Katarina is a bad idea. Our options are then either: -leave now and hope to make it across the Blightwood at night, -hunt down Katarina methodically without having more of us charmed or level drained, -ignore the DM and hunker down.
If we go with option 2 then most of the party cannot effectively hurt Katarina. Right now I think that only the specialized melee fighters armed with magic weapons have a reasonable chance (roughly 50/50), i.e. Trommer, Friedrich, Paavo, Marcus and Danaus. Epicaste doesn't have access to a magic long sword. So everyone else is basically extra baggage, i.e. they can get charmed and attack the rest of the party. I suggest that the rest of the party can guard the freed prisoners. They can use protective salts against the ghouls and holy symbols and garlic against the vampire to keep them at bay. The five melee fighters can then move about without worrying about getting charmed or being mauled by ghouls thanks to Paavo's protection. I think having Finnious join the fighters since he is immune to ghoul paralyzation and 90% resistant to charm is reasonable even if he has only a small chance to hit her.
If you don't want to go with this option then we need to come up with another plan.
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The Pit
Oct 12, 2011 0:06:30 GMT -5
Post by venger on Oct 12, 2011 0:06:30 GMT -5
Concerning the effectiveness of characters vs. vampires:
I recall we house-ruled in the previous sessions that non-magical wooden stakes can harm vampires... maybe I never codified that ruling.
Stakes do 1d3 damage + strength. If the damage brings it to 0 HP that round then it's staked through the heart and killed.
Also with splash damage from holy (salt) water you don't even have to roll a successful hit.
Speaking as DM, for the sake of the game, I'm loathe to have players sitting around doing nothing while other players are off having fun, killing vampires. If all the players present get to run characters, their own or NPCs, I don't have much problem with you splitting the party as planned. Otherwise I'll have to railroad you back together to keep everyone "in the game."
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The Pit
Oct 12, 2011 0:13:09 GMT -5
Post by venger on Oct 12, 2011 0:13:09 GMT -5
[/li][li]Should we visit the druid council before going after the silver princess?[/list][/quote] "These aren't the druids you're looking for," Bensarion says. "Move along." All too easy...
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The Pit
Oct 12, 2011 13:52:57 GMT -5
Post by Wolfgar on Oct 12, 2011 13:52:57 GMT -5
I am not saying the rest of the party can't do any damage the vampire. Just that the chance of doing damage in conjunction with the amount of damage they can possibly do makes them of limit use against the vampire. They are more likely to be harmful to the party (if they are charmed) than to the vampire.
I understand not wanting to split up the party but if we want to effectively track and destroy the vampire a small select subset is more useful.
Note if we had magic users with magic missile (pathetic that we don't) then it would be a different matter. Colby, Finnious and Mary would together be able to get off 6 missiles a round doing on average 21 hit points. That would make a huge difference. Two rounds of that plus some specialized fighters would make quick work of her.
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The Pit
Oct 12, 2011 15:24:16 GMT -5
Post by Ginger on Oct 12, 2011 15:24:16 GMT -5
There's always Nahal's Reckless Dweomer!!
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The Pit
Oct 12, 2011 16:39:10 GMT -5
Post by Scott on Oct 12, 2011 16:39:10 GMT -5
I agree it's pathetic none of the MUs has Magic Missile. But don't be hatin'.
If we're not going to wait around to hack up Katarina, Fin at the very least wants to sleep, level up, and get some spells back.
Other than that, he doesn't much mind heading out. He still thinks, though, we probably won't get much of a better chance at the vampiress.
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The Pit
Oct 12, 2011 17:01:20 GMT -5
Post by Bolo on Oct 12, 2011 17:01:20 GMT -5
As an advocate of splitting the party last session, I should explain why I think this situation is different: Last time, Katarina was on her last legs, so it wasn't likely that she would suddenly return to attack the left-behind half of the party. Even if she did, the split didn't leave either half of the party defenseless. This time, Katarina will presumably be back to her full strength. I see no reason to think she will wait for us to come to her rather than proactively coming to us. And while the split being proposed makes things safer for the going-away folk, it makes things much more dangerous for the staying-behind folk.
Is the DM really suggesting so strongly that holing up and waiting for morning is a bad idea? Or is that just the way he's role-playing the NPCs? The prisoners want to get the heck out of this place right away. No surprise there. Bensarion is concerned about the fate of the world, not mundane things like sleep and health. Again, no surprise, given that he's all sage-y and spirit-y.
Bolo, of course, doesn't care what the prisoners want, and he places his personal well-being ahead of abstractions like the fate of the world. Though if we can get out of this place safely, he does agree that saving the world might be fun and profitable.
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The Pit
Oct 12, 2011 19:36:52 GMT -5
Post by Wolfgar on Oct 12, 2011 19:36:52 GMT -5
Paavo could use the Crown of the High Kings to locate Katarina. It should lead the fighters directly to her while the rest of the party is safely elsewhere. Or we could have the non-fighters trail the fighters by a safe distance (60') so they can't be charmed or commanded.
How large of a circle does a single application of the protective salts create? In theory we could make a large enough area in which we could rest that would protect us from the ghouls as well as keep Katarina from charming for controlling anyone. It wouldn't keep her out but if she wanted to attack us she would have to enter it.
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The Pit
Oct 12, 2011 20:34:07 GMT -5
Post by Ginger on Oct 12, 2011 20:34:07 GMT -5
Paavo could use the Crown of the High Kings to locate Katarina. It should lead the fighters directly to her while the rest of the party is safely elsewhere. Or we could have the non-fighters trail the fighters by a safe distance (60') so they can't be charmed or commanded. How large of a circle does a single application of the protective salts create? In theory we could make a large enough area in which we could rest that would protect us from the ghouls as well as keep Katarina from charming for controlling anyone. It wouldn't keep her out but if she wanted to attack us she would have to enter it. Surrounding the second group with salts could work, and we could use ice beads to keep Katrina at bay for a time.
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The Pit
Oct 12, 2011 21:19:45 GMT -5
Post by Bolo on Oct 12, 2011 21:19:45 GMT -5
I like the idea of locating Katarina with the crown. Does Ben think this will work? If it does, Bolo would be fine with trailing behind the fighters, out of charming range but within yelling-for-help range.
If we can't find Katarina with the crown, having the nonfighters trail behind the fighters still seems like it would work okay.
Either way, the nonfighters might want to walk single file on one side of the passageway to give the fighters a clear run past them in the other lane if the party is attacked from behind.
What's the range of the helm? If we do decide to split up, could the folks left behind use it to call the fighters back telepathically if needed?
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The Pit
Oct 12, 2011 22:29:16 GMT -5
Post by Wolfgar on Oct 12, 2011 22:29:16 GMT -5
Colby could try conjuring an earth elemental. That would certainly do some damage against a vampire. Just have to make sure Katarina cannot command him while he is commanding the elemental. Again the salts would be helpful in this.
The helm of telepathy would be blocked by the solid earth in the same way that Katarina's commands are. At best you would get 6".
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The Pit
Oct 13, 2011 8:03:41 GMT -5
Post by venger on Oct 13, 2011 8:03:41 GMT -5
I'm sure you had Magic Missile at one point and probably will again.
1 application of salt = 1 PfE 10' radius. But it cannot be moved or reclaimed in any way.
Ben will lightly caution you that the crown is a potent artifact and could have adverse side effects, but it should find her easily enough.
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The Pit
Oct 13, 2011 10:16:01 GMT -5
Post by Ginger on Oct 13, 2011 10:16:01 GMT -5
I can summon an elemental of any type. I'd imagine an air elemental would be extremely effective against a creature that can turn into mist.
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The Pit
Oct 13, 2011 14:20:58 GMT -5
Post by Scott on Oct 13, 2011 14:20:58 GMT -5
Now we're talkin'. Let's locate Katarina, and put paid to her. I had no idea Colby could summon an elemental...that will be very helpful in future.
If one of the group that is not going after Katarina would lend Fin a magic longsword, he'd be most appreciative.
Question for Bensarion (aka, the DM): Fin's wand of reanimate dead might be useful in creating a vessel as it were to house Ben's spirit. What does he think of the idea? Is it feasible/necessary?
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The Pit
Oct 13, 2011 22:01:37 GMT -5
Post by venger on Oct 13, 2011 22:01:37 GMT -5
Bensarion can manifest himself as a spirit or possess a living creature. He chooses not to do the latter. He has no need of an animated corpse.
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The Pit
Oct 13, 2011 23:54:40 GMT -5
Post by Ginger on Oct 13, 2011 23:54:40 GMT -5
Colby can't summon an elemental per se, but we found a scroll with Conjure Elemental written three times on it. Fin can use it too, but he has a higher chance of it failing or backfiring, so in general it seems better for Colby to cast it.
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The Pit
Oct 24, 2011 8:21:27 GMT -5
Post by Wolfgar on Oct 24, 2011 8:21:27 GMT -5
Fairly straightforward session.
We spent the night in the temple area using the protective salts to encircle the area. Some people slept 4 hours to regain spells. No one leveled up at this point. Some ghouls came by but wandered off after being unable to breach the protection. No sign of Katarina. Dan prayed and used most of his healing on the worst injured.
We left through the secret door. The elves left but told us to visit them anytime in Aelfheim. Finious and Bolo sneaked back to the clearing to spy on the wyverns' nest. They discovered the huntsmen waiting to ambush us when we came out the main door. They came back to the group and we made some quick plans. Basically, spread out, hit them hard and fast.
The plan worked fine. A couple of them were above 1st level and Trommer took on their leader who was at least 7th (2 attacks a round). But it was over pretty quickly. We did use the dinosaur figurine for the first time. It's charge was pretty effective. Not much loot - magic studded leather, non-magic horn and spear.
The wyverns' nest was gone so no need to check it for treasure. They left when their masters where slain.
We made it back to Devonshire traveling slowly with the freed prisoners. No encounters of note. We were unable to find the leucrotas' lair.
Paavo gave the villagers some gold to get them on their feet and wished them well. We repaired to Lord Sherlane's Manor. He was leaving for the tourney on the morrow. Trommer, Friedrich, Danakes and Bolo accompanied him. The rest stayed to take care of administrative stuff.
Pearls were purchased. Some items identified. Crystal ring - ring of vanishing transports you to some alternate space while you are wearing it. Not sure how useful that is. Unicorn horn - periapt of proof against poison. black fizzing potions - unnatural regeneration. patriarch's rod - rod of flailing. flail on/off. shield on/off. +3 weapon. 2 attacks per round. any fighters want to re-specialize? green potion - likely healing
Some nice spell acquisitions. Mary used her new spell to learn magic missile. Finious made a copy of it. Finious also fenced the wand of animate dead (of which Paavo was unaware). For it he got Detect Magic, Strength, Mirror Image and Continual Light. All of which he successfully copied into his spellbook. His contact is named Grumond or Gremmell or something like that.
Finious spent time working with the local alchemist to make the additional spell inks he needed.
Mary failed on her first attempt to read Feldspar's book. She'll have to wait until next level to try again.
Paavo sold the various items we didn't need. He got 3000 gp for the ultralight chain mail that Dan was wearing - 1500 now, 1500 later.
Ingrid finished training.
The tourney will be done on the board.
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The Pit
Oct 24, 2011 8:37:50 GMT -5
Post by Wolfgar on Oct 24, 2011 8:37:50 GMT -5
Things we didn't do. -look at Benasarion's scrolls -investigate the quantum box (is this a good way to hold a lot of heavy stuff?). Maybe we could use it transport around the silver chest we found under the church. we should at least get rid of the spider in it. -acquire any other spells from Sherlane -make additional copies of any spells in each others books -get more protective salts from the church -thoroughly investigate how the Colby's armband and Danakes' box work. -mend armor? -decide what we are doing next
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The Pit
Oct 24, 2011 10:23:14 GMT -5
Post by Ginger on Oct 24, 2011 10:23:14 GMT -5
Thanks for not getting Colby killed!
The flail seems like a good option for a fighter-cleric, especially since we now realize Ingrid's +2 hammer is too precious for her to use regularly.
Did our 3 NPC fighters go to the tournament? Did they leave us in general?
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The Pit
Oct 24, 2011 12:17:21 GMT -5
Post by venger on Oct 24, 2011 12:17:21 GMT -5
Danakes stayed behind to train in the use of longsword with the arm-master.
The alchemist's name was Darokin.
Stringer Bell's magic-user contact was Gremmin.
Epicaste and Danaus, not really understanding what is going on, remained in Devonshire. They grow increasingly anxious.
Marcus was still diseased when everyone departed for Castle Aldagmor. He wanted money to get the Church to cure him of his affliction but was told he had to wait a couple more days until Paavo could cure him.
I think Paavo offered him a gold ring worth 200GP but I don't remember if he ever gave it to him. NPC morale deteriorates.
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The Pit
Oct 24, 2011 12:34:04 GMT -5
Post by Ginger on Oct 24, 2011 12:34:04 GMT -5
Colby would like to inquire with Stringer Bell about reacquiring the jeweled belt we "tithed" to him a while back and repurchase it, if possible, or find out to whom Stringer sold it to.
In the meantime, Colby will crank out Continual Light stones until everyone in the party who wants them has 5. Ingrid can help if she has nothing else to do.
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The Pit
Oct 24, 2011 13:09:00 GMT -5
Post by Wolfgar on Oct 24, 2011 13:09:00 GMT -5
The economics aren't working out. Marcus expects 600 gp each month but killing 20 Deadite priests (in their temple) and 20 huntsmen netted us only 666 gp and 400 gp worth of uncut gems. Either the upkeep for henchmen needs to be reset according to the economic standards of the campaign or adventuring needs to be more lucrative. Besides we already paid Marcus for the current month's upkeep. But we will see what funds are leftover at the start of the next session and determine if the budget allows for additional recompense.
There is nothing to be done about Epi and Danaus. We aren't going to interrupt our current plans to go chasing after some lost civilization. If they think they can do better on their own then I suggest we tell them good luck. If they want to stay with some adventurers whose quests are loosely associated with their ancient civilization in hopes that something is revealed along the way then we are happy to have them. They just need to do a better job learning the language.
I am not sure what Ingrid's plan is. But every effort should be made to keep her around. The potions aren't going to last forever and there is only so much healing Dan can muster.
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The Pit
Oct 24, 2011 13:41:26 GMT -5
Post by Ginger on Oct 24, 2011 13:41:26 GMT -5
Given that Marcus flat-out has more XP than any fighter in the party (and anyone but Colby in all), I think we can't expect him to stay. Getting him his belt back might be a way to keep him friendly and get him to reconnect with us later in the campaign. Maybe he could use his helm to communicate with Epi and Daneus and the three of them could head off together.
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The Pit
Oct 24, 2011 14:20:11 GMT -5
Post by Wolfgar on Oct 24, 2011 14:20:11 GMT -5
Marcus has the most xp because he hangs back against the worst opponents. If he is only going to be a henchman then that is fine, but he can't complain when he doesn't get a full share of what little treasure we get. Those that risk the most deserve the biggest rewards. I don't feel we owe him his ruby belt. If he wants it so much then he has plenty with which to purchase it. His armor alone is worth at least 10000 gp (ultralight and enchanted).
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The Pit
Oct 24, 2011 16:17:11 GMT -5
Post by Ginger on Oct 24, 2011 16:17:11 GMT -5
Marcus has the most xp because he hangs back against the worst opponents. If he is only going to be a henchman then that is fine, but he can't complain when he doesn't get a full share of what little treasure we get. Those that risk the most deserve the biggest rewards. I don't feel we owe him his ruby belt. If he wants it so much then he has plenty with which to purchase it. His armor alone is worth at least 10000 gp (ultralight and enchanted). +1 Marcus doesn't act like a PC, so he shouldn't get rewarded like a PC. I get that the one time he stuck his neck out he was killed by a hydra, but he should step up when he's needed better. His armor is basically the most expensive thing the party has right now.
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The Pit
Oct 24, 2011 18:48:29 GMT -5
Post by Bolo on Oct 24, 2011 18:48:29 GMT -5
Maybe he could use his helm to communicate with Epi and Daneus and the three of them could head off together. Given that the helm is Marcus's, how come Trommer is wearing it all the time? And how does Marcus feel about that?
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The Pit
Oct 24, 2011 19:12:08 GMT -5
Post by Friedrich on Oct 24, 2011 19:12:08 GMT -5
Maybe he could use his helm to communicate with Epi and Daneus and the three of them could head off together. Given that the helm is Marcus's, how come Trommer is wearing it all the time? And how does Marcus feel about that? Better question is how does Bolo feel about that? Friedrich feels great as long as that means that Bolo's 99% pick pockets skill becomes effectively 0 because Lee puts the thing on every time he sees you pass Eddie a note. But I can understand why you would hate it given that the first thing you did was max out your pick pockets ability.
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The Pit
Oct 24, 2011 19:31:26 GMT -5
Post by Bolo on Oct 24, 2011 19:31:26 GMT -5
Marcus ... His armor alone is worth at least 10000 gp. Is that Marcus's armor, or the party's armor? If it's the party's, then we should consider whether we are better served letting Marcus continue to wear it, or selling it to make our cash-flow problems go away. If it has somehow become Marcus's, then at 600gp per month of game time since we obtained it, I reckon he'll owe us for a long time yet, not vice versa. This is assuming that he didn't have it when he joined up with us. That was before my time. Am I assuming incorrectly? Either way, this highlights a general problem with our collective ownership model for loot. Although things are theoretically "all of ours", in practice most of the goodies stay with whoever was the first to say "I'll carry it" and write a post-it. And the subsequent disposition of these communally owned items is mostly at the whim of whoever is carrying them. Fin can pawn the wand of whatever without consultation. Paavo can donate 500gp of party funds to his church. Presumably Bolo could donate 500gp of party funds to the Society for the Maintenance of Needy Halflings. Bolo would favor a more businesslike arrangement, with loot divvied up into shares on a periodic basis so that ownership is clear. If there are high-value items that aren't divisible, it's easy to even the shares out with IOUs. And if party strategy calls for A to carry or wear or use an item that is part of B's share, Bolo would have no problem with that, even if he's B and someone else is A, so long as he can keep track of what's his. We could do the divvying on the basis of equal shares for everyone, or full shares for PCs and half shares for NPCs (excluding those who have made other arrangements), or weighted shares by level, or whatever. I'm happy to negotiate about that. Bolo presumes that Paavo, Trommer, and Danakes will strongly support such a change, as (a) the collective ownership model is a clear end-run around the paladin's restrictions on retaining wealth and magical items, (b) it is similarly an end-run around the rangers' restrictions on not owning more than they personally can carry, and (c) without knowing how much his share is, a paladin can't possibly know whether he is tithing properly. (Bolo has been known to presume incorrectly.)
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