DreamLyrics™ Play-by-Post Forums Hall of Fame - Latest Top 10 completed games HHE: The Haunted Helm OOC: Drizzle

Ahhh ... I see the error. I grabbed the + from Con since I am used to Str then Dex so grabbed the wrong plus <sigh> Thanks ... that makes it an easier choice <g>

I am fine with the escalation ... even though poor Heilbutt didn't make it. He was a great asset and fun from a RP perspective. But any combat where were are challenged and still emerge victorious is a good combat <g>

Aye, I think the 13th Age writers make the same mistake many RPG writers do. They assume we play more often than we do.

So by their scheme, it's normal for an in-continuity day to have four combats, and this will wear the PCs down so by the fourth they're really pushed.

Irl, for me a game session is probably one afternoon a month, so if I threw in four combats the story would never move forward.

Message games are similar, having a very slow pace.

TVS had five D&D 3rd Ed combats, for example, no plot to speak of, and still took four and a half years to complete.

So I'm more inclined to have fewer, harder combats, than more, easier combats.

Either way, after that gruelling battle, the PCs have earned an Incremental Advance.

This allows you choose one new component from your next level, and add it to your character sheet. Examples.

• A new Feat
• Extra Hit Points
• A Spell
• A Talent
• Extra magic item slot
• +1 to all skill checks

What's available at your next level is listed under your class in the SRD.

Barbarian
Bard
Cleric
Fighter
Paladin
Rogue
Sorcerer

(You can't choose attack or defence bonus.)

Let me know here what your choice is.

I guess it's a trade-off. Speed of moving forward vs PC control of their characters during combat. It's kind of off-putting to have someone else make decisions for my PC but if the DM thinks it'll slow the game down too much, I understand.

I am interested in opinions from the more experienced players. I am debating between Precise Shot and Second Shot for ranged ... but there are some good ones for melee too, Cleave and Comeback Strike.

I think D needs Murderous +2 to hit and +2 crit range against Staggered enemies. Seems dastardly enough and totally in character. Woo hoo!

I have no problem ... long as D doesn't think Weston is strange <weg>

Heh, strange is ok. Staggered, and dangerous, not so much.

Yeah ... sure ... if ya wanna be literal <sigh>

<chuckle>

I'm thinking about the improved version of Barbaric Rage for Seyja.

OK, so here are some GM picks, for anyone seeking advice.

Seyja
Barbarian Rage Feat makes sense, certainly if we were playing a long term campaign a barbarian would be insane not to max out those feats.

Jex
Grab a new spell.

Weston
You already have Second Shot, so that's sorted. It doesn't have a feat you can access at 2nd level either. Precision Shot isn't that great. You only have a chance of hitting an engaged ally on a natural 1.

I'd probably grab the feat for Power Attack, so even if I missed I'd do the damage. Otherwise missing with a Power Attack really sucks!

Zoltan
More hit points! He's the tank.

D
Unfortunately Murderous is a class talent. You get three at the start, no more. I'd probably grab the feat for Shadow Walk. It does mean that if you fail the roll, you aren't suddenly stranded. You can still move and attack as normal. That makes Shadow Walk considerably less risky.

Sorcerer
Hmm. More hit points probably more useful than a new spell at this level.

As Tindarien has been a damage magnet - and I can see him being targetted, hit points would be good - but I was also thinking of Adventurer Feat 'You can now invoke your Fey Heritage talent in two battles each day'

Tindarien doesn't have Fey Heritage, alas. He has Arcane Heritage and Undead Heritage.

As always guys, I'm not draconian about character changes. The rules say, only do it during a Full Heal-Up, because then it's easier to explain in-continuity. But if you want to swap out a spell you've never even used before, for example, there's nothing to explain.

Ahh forgot that. In that case I'll go for the hit points!

Well, hit points are always useful. It's hard to argue against them tbh.

Hmmm ... I =did= miss Second Shot on my sheet <g> But did I miss something else? I thought I had Power Attack already too.

Feat for Shadow walk sounds good.
Thanks

So are we level 2? I'm pouring over the options and hope to decide before my head hits the pillow tonight.

Nope. In 13th Age you level up gradually, via Incremental Advances. Then when you reach 2nd level, you can basically scrap all of those Incremental Advances and start again if you want. It's just a way of keeping it constantly new and fresh, and allow you to experiment without constraint.

(Don't you just hate it in CRPGs when you level up your character, then later realise you've made a mistake but can't go back!)

Neptune. If you want to come up with some set plays for Jex, jot them down in his Gallery thread like Zeim's done for Zoltan. So if I ever have to resolve a couple of rounds in one go, it'll give me the guidance I need.

Neal _ Yes, I agree. Adding the extra hps is the best option for Zoltan.

Will do.

I like the incremental upgrade idea. I have always disliked the 'one moment you are able to do these things and then the next you can ... amazingly ... do all these =new= things'.

On the 'redesign' front, that is a nice idea too, especially when you are exploring a new class. RPGA also lets you do that any time until you get to 5th level. A step in the right direction <g>

OK. I've decided to add "Soundburst" as my additional spell.

Do you want to change Charm too?

I should also remind peeps of their magic items.

Jex has a Symbol of Gathered Power, given to him by the Baronessa.

During a quick rest, you can regain an expended Daily Adventurer-level spell. Quirk: One track mind.

D received a Potion of Fire Resistance +1 from the black cat, Griefer.

MikeD receives a blank chit for Weston, representing the resources of the Order of Averness.

At any time in the game, except in combat, you may cash this chit in for one of the following effects:

• Succeed at a minor skill check
• Receive a potion, scroll, rune or mundane magic item
• Restore one recovery
• Redistribute recoveries among the party with 1d4 losses
• Most importantly, you have to describe how Weston's relationship with the Order of Averness/Great Gold Wyrm was behind this effect, perhaps through a flashback

Tindarien gained a Potion of Healing from Fuldroik. Grants spontaneous heal using recovery +1d8 hp.

The party are also carrying Gorulon Gorehound's Helmet. It provides +1 to MD. When staggered you add your level to your hit and miss damage. Quirk: Loves the sight of blood.

And thank you, Neptune (see below), Jex has just found one of Lalleh's Champion-tier healing potions. Grants spontaneous heal using recovery +2d8 hp.

And didn't Jex just find another potion of healing?
I'll keep charm because Jex is charming

Neil, I =have= the 'flashback' (well, mostly <g>), but was thinking it would fit best when Weston actually uses the chit. If you would like me to drop it in sooner, I can.