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Post by Dell on Jan 24, 2005 12:42:55 GMT -5
So, what does everyone think we should do about these mounds? I'm all for diving into them like the militia did - we're way tougher than they are, so whatever it is that killed them, we should be able to deal with.
Also, as the new leader of the party, Dell requires a list of everyone's magical items, spellbook contents, and proficiencies - you know, for the records. This information goes in the proposal when we bid on available jobs.
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Post by Ginger on Jan 24, 2005 13:48:46 GMT -5
I think that's a fantastic idea. I'm sure that it would be full of surprised. I'd love to see your entry, oh fearless leader.
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Post by Ginger on Jan 24, 2005 13:52:32 GMT -5
On a more serious note, I think we should just walk into the mound. If those militia guys are level 0 fighters, as they almost certainly are, I can take 7 of them out each minute. Even Otto could do pretty well against local militia.
If there are some crazy wild beasts in the mounds doing all the damage, maybe Liato could make some of them into pets?
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Post by Dell on Jan 24, 2005 14:25:00 GMT -5
I think that's a fantastic idea. I'm sure that it would be full of surprised. I'd love to see your entry, oh fearless leader. It's already on file. Does Raven read Elvish?
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liato
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Post by liato on Jan 24, 2005 14:41:17 GMT -5
Of all the missions we could have picked I'm kind of suprised we're on this one. I mean 100 gp each? Does that sound like a big payoff to anyone? We have 2 characters that need to train to level up their spells. And, I'm not sure anyone paid enough attention to this, but we lost ALL our front line fighters. We're down 2 fighters and a cleric right now. I think the idea was that we would replace them with some of my pets? Well it's going to take me probably 2 months of game time to get even partially trained pets. Right now I'm thinking a pair of giant wolverines. Did you know that wolverines are the strongest pound for pound land animal? They weigh about 40lbs and can carry deer and carrabou around. A single wolverine can drive off a pack of wolves. Plus they are really cute. blindkat.tripod.com/zoo/wolverine.htmlMy favorite research fact: While they are in the skunk family and have a musk, as the website so elequently puts it, "They use this [musk] to mark their territory and not as a defense measure. Their defense is to attack you with their sharp claws and teeth." The most important research fact: "Although largely carnivorous, wolverines also feed on berries. " My point, is that while at some later date we might possibly have a pair of wolverines (lvl 5 fighters) to help defend us (me). Right now we have zip. We don't even have a cleric. So I agree. We should all just walk into the mounds.
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Post by Mr. Trommer on Jan 24, 2005 14:55:19 GMT -5
If it is treasure and lots of experience that we are looking for I think it is safe to say that the temple has lots of it. We did have a brief vision of an extensive flow chart of destiny that awaited us if we had stayed.
Oh Dell, you fearless party leader, the answer is no until you give us you list. We really should see your resume and assets list to see if we are making the right choice.
What could be down the holes? Large ants, bouletts, bugs, skinnies, drow, xorn, land sharks. No problem as long as they can burn.
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Post by Dell on Jan 24, 2005 15:16:04 GMT -5
Of all the missions we could have picked I'm kind of suprised we're on this one. I mean 100 gp each? Does that sound like a big payoff to anyone? We're just killing time until Al gets better. It was either do this for 100 gp each, or hang around the hotel eating pudding. Besides, this is how you build a good reputation - you do piddly little missions, then they know they can trust you for the important missions. That's a majority - it is decided.
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Post by Mr. Trommer on Jan 24, 2005 15:22:53 GMT -5
I think we should plot all the mounds on a map so we can calculate out were the center of the activity is like on that Numb3rs show last night. That way we can assault the home of whatever it is. It's good that our party leader leads from the front!
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Post by Dell on Jan 24, 2005 15:50:36 GMT -5
If it is treasure and lots of experience that we are looking for I think it is safe to say that the temple has lots of it. We did have a brief vision of an extensive flow chart of destiny that awaited us if we had stayed. We're going back to the temple - it's on our way home, basically. We're going to challenge the strongest fighter guy, too. We have no worries, as long as we've got a fistfull of berries. The most relevant thing on my resume is my Int of 18. I'm a snazzy dresser, and part elf, which means I can see in the dark. Also, I fill a crucial role as the party trap fixer, chest opener, and all around swell guy. Dell's magic items: *censored* Let this act as a reminder to Otto - never ever ever ever ever charge a group of the enemy. Just don't. Hang back by Raven, shoot your bow... be happy. Don't be another victim, because we can't afford to get you raised.
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Post by Dell on Jan 24, 2005 15:59:09 GMT -5
I think we should plot all the mounds on a map so we can calculate out were the center of the activity is like on that Numb3rs show last night. That way we can assault the home of whatever it is. It's good that our party leader leads from the front! Why do you think I asked the guy for a map with the mounds plotted on it? 18 intelligence, man, 18... I think of these things. And no, I don't lead from the front. I don't go anywhere near the front until I've seen that third fireball. There are many advantages to being invisible, but the disadvantage is that I can easily be caught in a friendly fire incident. www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=46"You all burn the same" is Winthrop's motto, I think.
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Post by Ginger on Jan 24, 2005 16:32:46 GMT -5
Let this act as a reminder to Otto - never ever ever ever ever charge a group of the enemy. Just don't. Hang back by Raven, shoot your bow... be happy. Don't be another victim, because we can't afford to get you raised. I think we've reached a logical problem. If everyone hangs in back, than no one does. If Otto has magical platemail and I loan him my +1 shield (of the Hart), he'll be a pretty tough fighter.
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liato
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Post by liato on Jan 24, 2005 16:37:30 GMT -5
Otto has 18 HP, no con bonus, and rolls d8. He will not be a tough fighter for a long time if ever.
I'm glad someone else noticed the fact that with no front line fighters there's no such thing as hanging back.
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Post by Dell on Jan 24, 2005 16:41:13 GMT -5
I think we've reached a logical problem. If everyone hangs in back, than no one does. If Otto has magical platemail and I loan him my +1 shield (of the Hart), he'll be a pretty tough fighter. Liato goes in front. He engages the enemy in melee, and Winthrop drops a fireball right on top of him - he doesn't mind! It would, on average, take four of Winthrop's fireballs to get past Liato's defences - and at the very least, three. The wolf won't be too happy about it, though.
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Post by Dell on Jan 24, 2005 16:45:21 GMT -5
I'm glad someone else noticed the fact that with no front line fighters there's no such thing as hanging back. There are degrees of hanging back. Dell, for example, will be waiting at the inn. "No, I was right there - I was invisible, I was moving silently, you just didn't notice me."
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Post by Mr. Trommer on Jan 24, 2005 17:02:51 GMT -5
That is an excellet motto at least until I get lightning bolt.
Yes with the exception perhaps of spell casters it is best to let them come to us. That allows them to come into point blank range. Even then it is a hard magical science to place a fireball correctly. Takes lots of practice.
I had a dream about this barbarian arriving too late to save my ass...a most unpleasant dream I must say. He looked like he enjoyed bashing heads. Good thing it was only a dream.
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Post by Ginger on Jan 24, 2005 17:53:28 GMT -5
Otto has 18 HP, no con bonus, and rolls d8. He will not be a tough fighter for a long time if ever. I'm glad someone else noticed the fact that with no front line fighters there's no such thing as hanging back. He has 18 HP and is a level 2 fighter. That's really good. If he were a traditional fighter, that'd make him like 90th percentile. An average level 2 ranger had an hp of 13.5. He has a 17 STR, which is quite good. Toss a strength spell on him and his bonus will be +2/+5, with a THAC0 of 18, that's not great, but quite good for a second level fighter. He'll be 3rd level in an adventure or 2, which will drop his THAC0 by one, and give him an extra 4.5 hp. Don't forget that he'll be loaned magical platemail and a magical shield. Assuming they're each +1, he'll have AC of 0. That's very tough.
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Post by Dell on Jan 24, 2005 20:38:20 GMT -5
Well, let's look at the relative strength of our assets:
In terms of unmodified THAC0, we have: Raven, Liato... and then Otto, Dell and Winthrop in a three-way tie at 19.
In HP, we have Raven, Winthrop, Liato, Dell, and Otto.
In AC, we have... Raven, Otto, Dell, Liato, Winthrop. So for the moment, Liato is a better frontline fighter than Otto... except for his AC.
So, the battle plan, marching order, whatever -
Otto, Liato, Raven, Dell, and then Winthrop in back. Winthrop is the most vulnerable, he puts out the most damage, and if he dies I have a barbarian to deal with. Otto in front because he's a ranger - less likely to be surprised.
Ideally, Otto and Liato will hold off the onrushing hordes, while Raven kills everything with his bow. It might even be a good idea for Otto to defend instead of attack - it would drop his AC to -2 or -3, which would keep him alive a bit longer - long enough for the rest of the party to kill off the bad guys.
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Post by Ginger on Jan 25, 2005 9:32:55 GMT -5
Otto's unmodified THAC0 might be 19, but there are different levels of being unmodified. Using his primary weapon, his THAC0 drops to 17. I think that's the number to use, and that ties him with Liato. Additionally, Liato's AC is 6 or 7 higher than Otto's. That's gotta count for something.
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Post by Dell on Jan 25, 2005 10:10:43 GMT -5
Otto's unmodified THAC0 might be 19, but there are different levels of being unmodified. Using his primary weapon, his THAC0 drops to 17. I think that's the number to use, and that ties him with Liato. Additionally, Liato's AC is 6 or 7 higher than Otto's. That's gotta count for something. Yes, and if someone loaned him a +2 longsword, and he had a strength spell put on him, he'd have a THAC0 of 15 or 14, and have +6 or +7 to damage. That makes him pretty scary - and he's only at second level, too. So for the moment, you should loan him your sword. And armor. And shield.
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Post by Ginger on Jan 25, 2005 12:53:53 GMT -5
Yes, and if someone loaned him a +2 longsword, and he had a strength spell put on him, he'd have a THAC0 of 15 or 14, and have +6 or +7 to damage. That makes him pretty scary - and he's only at second level, too. So for the moment, you should loan him your sword. And armor. And shield. As a general rule, I won't loan very powerful magical items to someone unless I've known them for 3 weeks. Since I'll be gone next week, I'll make decisions now about how to loan out my magical items during combat. Otto can use the shield of the Hart and Raven will use the unidentified Shield of Nerull if he needs to do melee combat. Liato can use the wisdom pearl. Raven will continue to greedly hold his precious ring, but won't wear it until he's sure what it does. And no one's getting my +2 longsword.
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Post by Dell on Jan 25, 2005 15:22:04 GMT -5
Okay, is that all for your list of magical items?
So now I've got:
Raven - Plate Mail, 2 shields, ring, longsword, pearl of wisdom, and a potion.
Liato - rod of paralyzing, clasp, and a potion.
Winthrop - Robe, scroll, snake staff, ring of protection, wand of enemy finding, and a potion
Al - potions, mace
Otto - none
Anything I'm missing? I know Winthrop's got more stuff tucked away... he's a crafty one, he is.
Dell says he's got a dagger, longsword, platemail, gloves, ring, and the lion. And a potion. That's all he told me about.
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Post by Ginger on Jan 25, 2005 15:29:08 GMT -5
Dell has a magical ring?? That's the first I've heard. What does it do??
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Post by Dell on Jan 25, 2005 15:57:14 GMT -5
Dell has a magical ring?? That's the first I've heard. What does it do?? It's the Ring of Human Influence that was given to him when he joined the group. Its effects are many, and its power, though subtle, is indeed enough to cloud the wisest of minds.
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Post by Ginger on Jan 25, 2005 16:09:33 GMT -5
Oh, I forgot about that. I thought you'd accidentally slipped up and told us about one of your stolencovertly acquired magical items.
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Post by Dell on Jan 25, 2005 16:32:19 GMT -5
Oh, I forgot about that. I thought you'd accidentally slipped up and told us about one of your stolen covertly acquired magical items. Well, some of us can keep secrets... and some of us whip out hidden sacks of gems in front of the hired help.
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liato
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Post by liato on Jan 25, 2005 16:42:42 GMT -5
I believe there were several long threads about had liato rolled average HP he'd be a front line candidate but since he didn't he's going to hide behind winthrop.
And if he gets his wolverine/bear/lion it's going to be a front line unit in the sense that it will be right in front of Liato.
And at level 7, unless I roll an 8, he's not going to be a rhino holding off the hordes of undead, he's going to be a raven sitting on winthrop's head, the only place I know I'm not going to be fireballed (not that it really matters much).
Sorry dudes, not only did I lose this battle I went down in FLAMES WITH NO BACKUP. Liato may have a bunch of wonderful abilities, but front line fighter isn't one of them anymore.
As for Otto we'll have to see if he's a viable front line fighter or not. It really depends on what he rolls for HP. (Rangers are a little more insulated because they start with 2HD. If he were a fighter he'd have 12 hp instead of 18 hp right now). As liato can tell you, he does not, in fact, have 4.5 more hp next level.
Right now he can survive 2 or 3 hits in combat and 0 or 1 spells. His AC is about as good as it's ever going to get so once we start fighting level 5+ monsters he's going to be worm food pretty fast.
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Post by Dell on Jan 25, 2005 17:12:48 GMT -5
AC0 is awesome. I wish I had AC0. And there ways to boost that with spells - it's just that they're cleric spells for the most part.
I, for one, hope that Otto rolls a 1 for hp, so he stays below Dell. It's lonely being the wimpiest guy in the party. But by level 5 or so, Otto should have the coveted 18/00 strength, and be double specialized. That's +6/+9, so regardless of hit points he'll be murder in a fight. It's been said that the best defense is a good offense, and doing that kind of damage looks pretty offensive to me.
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Post by Ginger on Jan 25, 2005 17:22:48 GMT -5
I believe there were several long threads about had liato rolled average HP he'd be a front line candidate but since he didn't he's going to hide behind winthrop. And if he gets his wolverine/bear/lion it's going to be a front line unit in the sense that it will be right in front of Liato. And at level 7, unless I roll an 8, he's not going to be a rhino holding off the hordes of undead, he's going to be a raven sitting on winthrop's head, the only place I know I'm not going to be fireballed (not that it really matters much). Sorry dudes, not only did I lose this battle I went down in FLAMES WITH NO BACKUP. Liato may have a bunch of wonderful abilities, but front line fighter isn't one of them anymore. As for Otto we'll have to see if he's a viable front line fighter or not. It really depends on what he rolls for HP. (Rangers are a little more insulated because they start with 2HD. If he were a fighter he'd have 12 hp instead of 18 hp right now). As liato can tell you, he does not, in fact, have 4.5 more hp next level. Right now he can survive 2 or 3 hits in combat and 0 or 1 spells. His AC is about as good as it's ever going to get so once we start fighting level 5+ monsters he's going to be worm food pretty fast. I don't understand why you're so down on our fighting power. Hit rolls are much more important than damage rolls, for us and for them. Our guys kick ass because they are likely to hit, and unlikely to be hit. I'd rather have a good THAC0 and a good AC than have high HP.
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Post by Dell on Jan 25, 2005 21:19:01 GMT -5
I believe there were several long threads about had liato rolled average HP he'd be a front line candidate but since he didn't he's going to hide behind winthrop. As the party leader, I have already assessed Liato's abilities and found a place for him in the unit. Liato is going to be one of our scouts, a stealthy forward element. Otto and Al are the front line, Raven and Winthop deal death with arrow and spell, and Dell... Dell supervises. If there's a problem that you can't handle, call Dell and he'll fix it. Probably by stabbing it in the back.
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Post by Ginger on Jan 26, 2005 9:39:52 GMT -5
While Dell has no fireballs (yet), his magic missiles now do as much damage as Winthrop's. Maybe he should join the damage dealing group.
I do kind of like the pairing system though. I'd suggest Al and Otto in the front, Liato and Raven hanging back a bit, and Winthrop and Dell in the back (although Dell will roam a bit). Raven needs to be close, but not too close, to the action for his arrows to have maximum effect. Liato should be in the middle so he can most easily heal everyone, and so he can command his animals. Winthrop and Dell should be in back so they're protected and have a wide field of vision to target.
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