Every game has an Out-of-Character (OOC) thread so you can strategize and plan, as well as for me to give out out-of-character news. Talk and discuss, tell us about non-game stuff, etc.Nothing here is ever considered to be "in character" (IC).
Also, as fair arbiter of the game, I will not unfairly use revealed player strategy against you.
First comment for the OOC thread, about Rituals for this game.
ReplyDeleteRituals will be an indispensable resource to the crusaders while exploring the Tomb. However, unlike most adventures, the constraint on ritual use will not be reagents, but rather time.
Ritual casting, therefore, is subject to the following rules:
Reagents are not tracked.
Rituals with a casting time longer than an hour are not permitted.
Rituals with a casting time of an hour may be used once per game.
Any other ritual may be cast once per milestone.
Hey, A1, thanks for catching the 'divine' label on my traveling staff feat. That would have been a pain in the ass to fix mid-game.
ReplyDeleteThat's... a lot of undead in your party.
ReplyDeleteDoes Kin have rituals? And Yursil has feats to build up Elven Accuracy, but without Past Soul, has no way to access them.
*crawls back into the lurker corner*
Hanrar isn't TECHNICALLY undead, just classified as a shadow creature.
ReplyDeleteBhareg has elf as his past life. That means he counts as an Elf for any prerequisites.
ReplyDelete<rules type="lawyer" mode="pedantic">
DeleteBhareg was a past-life dwarf. But we're talking about Yursil. (I can totally understand the confusion)
A revenant's racial power is Dark Reaping. Wild Elf Luck and Elven Arcane Precision are both legal choices for Yursil, but confer no benefit to any power he has. Were he to take Past Soul (elf), he would gain the Elven Accuracy power, making the two aforementioned feats applicable.
</rules>
Elven accuracy applies to any Arcane power? Right? Yursil is a warlock.
DeleteWell, I can't find your email addy anywhere, so I'll just keep going here.
DeleteYep - Elven Accuracy in fact can reroll any attack roll you make. Elven Arcane Precision makes it work for every single target of an area or close attack (which is pretty slick).
The thing that's still weirding me out is that Yursil simply does not have the Elven Accuracy power. If the feats Wild Elf Luck and Elven Arcane Precision had the prerequisite "Elven Accuracy power" (instead of "Prerequisite: elf") the builder wouldn't have allowed it.
Even if you do add the Past Soul feat, Yursil's got two feats boosting Elven Accuracy, and two feats boosting Dark Reaping, and the two can't be used in the same encounter. My humble suggestion, as the lurker, is to focus on one or the other.
If I'm missing something about the sheet that makes it all come together, disregard all of this and mark me off as a looney. I just think if you have to rebuild, it's a good idea to do it before the game rather than in the middle.
You're not missing something. That's exactly how their character is built at the moment. So, Yursil either needs to replace the feats giving him bonuses to Elven Accuracy, or replace the feats for Dark Reaping, using one to get the Past Soul feat in order to get the Elven Accuracy power.
DeleteI'm guessing that the skull and the skeleton are somehow related. Perhaps we need to move the crimson bandanna, or perhaps we need to cover the eyes of the skull, or something else entirely.
ReplyDeleteHey all, need more info. Hopefully my arcana is better than Yursil's.
ReplyDeleteAs for rituals, I added some divinations, but not until today. So its up to Joe if I keep them. I had really focused on being an undead killer, not a ritual caster. Was hoping the arcane PCs took hold of that. But who wants to spend time casting rituals in every room?
Is the name "Kin Kuro" or "Kin Kuron"?
ReplyDeleteKuro. Just noticed the error on the vitals tab myself.
DeleteHey dudes, let's not keep shooting ourselves in the foot, ok? Its the first room, and we're already at a disadvantage. How shouts we look into the skull more, seeing as the deck is not an out-right threat...
ReplyDeleteAnd at that moment, Teryn forever gains the nickname "Princess".
ReplyDeleteOkay, so if no-one objects, Hanrar is going to take the skull. Obviously it's there for one reason or another and none of our skill checks are doing much beyond 'it's a skull and it's kinda magic'. I mean we've got a whole dungeon ahead of us and the doors aren't locked or trapped. I'll take the fall if taking it summons nasties, but I'd like to see what else is in this terrible tomb!
ReplyDeleteI have no objections.
ReplyDeleteOkay, so we've got two for it, anyone else?
ReplyDeleteWell, no objections here until something bad happens.
ReplyDeletehttp://standardaction.wordpress.com/2011/08/04/64-things-to-do-with-an-adventurers-kit/
ReplyDeleteJust thought I'd leave this here for everyone. Some really useful hints for those of us still carrying around a standard "adventurer's kit".
So everyone jumps down into the 10' pit. But guess what. These guys? Are HEROES.
ReplyDeleteThree-point landing.
lol
DeleteAm I the only one wondering if we have to figure out which tablet to give to each statue for this trap?
ReplyDeleteThat is a possibility. We also could have to order the tablets. I'm guessing a monster may attack us from the secret door or the portal. We should keep an eye on those.
DeleteWe can probably find a clue for the word on the murals. Either that or we just start picking letters at random like hangman. Yeah, keep an eye on that secret door and keep a guard on the portal. Another idea is we can send the shadow through the portal and it can report on what's on the other side while we try to figure out this word problem. Maybe something to do with the kings? What do they have in common? Obviously all dead, all the same bloodline, what about those other two? How many History checks did we make? We should try checks on those others as well.
ReplyDeleteBalls, three. Since we can't re-check on the same thing, we'll have to go with what we do know. So we have Blinded/Womanizer, Murder, Poison, Poison, Hung, Strangled. B/M,M,P,P,H,S, No good, only one of each letter except "I". What about their names? P-T-H-A-M. Not much to go on there. So, eight spots, 27 letters, two 'I's and one is etched in mithril. Any thoughts?
ReplyDeleteOkay, sorry for flooding this, just spouting ideas [that's what this is for, right?] The mithril 'I' seems significant, so we're probably looking for a word starting with an 'I'. Not many eight letter words starting with an 'I' and with a second I in it and no repeating letters. I found a couple with a quick search:
ReplyDeleteIdealism
Imagines
Imperial
Imprison
Incoming... DUCK!!
Am I just crazy, or does "iron lich" have eight letters and two I's?
ReplyDeletePerhaps we should look through all the tablets? Also, maybe skill checks based on the mithril. Maybe it's significant.
ReplyDeleteJust some quick notes:
ReplyDelete1. You can't earn any more details on the kings with skill rolls.
2. You looked through all the 27 tablets. Assuming there isn't some hidden tablet, of course.
I guess that includes any attempts by Tak-tha with making History checks?
ReplyDeleteAnd there's two sets of four statues, which makes Iron Lich even more plausible...I like it! :) And since each statue looks like they're expecting to read something, probably need to make sure the letters we choose are facing the statue holding it.
And we have a special letter that might fit into our word and a secret door...maybe the door opens if we put the letter in the hands of the correct king? If we could have discovered more about them, that might be easier to figure out.
I made history rolls for the entire party.
DeleteOk, so if we go with Trent's idea (which sounds egotistical as well, so spot on!), I say we start the "iron" word at statue 1...we have a line of kings here, lets keep things in order. In case the order matters...I don't want the floor to drop out from under us, a la C1! Brathu will play defense while the rest of you get the tiles in place.
ReplyDeleteSo we either follow the wording starting with the oldest king, OR we place the mithril "I" next to the secret door (by statue 8). Takers? If we don't have any other clues than that, perhaps the secret door is just the way out, and word order doesn't matter...Too many permutations!
DeleteWhich one do we put the special I in? 1 or 6? It seems almost too obvious to be the first one, but I could just be over-thinking this >.< I'm gonna have Tak-tha inspect the emeralds in the skeletons
ReplyDeleteI dunno...group vote! Where to place the mithril "I"? #1, 6, or 8? I know there are more combinations than that, but we should narrow it down, the sooner the better.
DeleteI like Iron Lich being the answer to this puzzle and starting it at statue 1, but all I can really vote is against #8...
DeleteI highly suggest NOT taking those gemeralds. Crying oil sounds like bad news. I vote that the mithril I goes in spot #1. Maybe we spell it across instead of up/down? Like:
ReplyDeleteI--R
O--N
L--I
C--H
Thoughts?
So every one is down with my idea? Cool. I don't think the zigzag works, the kings seem to be in a line. So iron on one side, loch on the others. We don't have info about the last three statues, which is probably a clue...darn. Let's put the special "I" at number six, b/c having it first seems too straight forward...but that's the gamble, ya?
ReplyDeleteOk, so after sleeping on I, let's use the normal "I" tile at position 1, and spell out iron lich up towards the portal and lich down the otherside. Maybe the statues will speak the name, and it has to be in numerical order....I dunno. We won't have any more info...so let's act!
ReplyDeleteYeah. Let's go ahead and try it out. Put in one letter at a time and see what happens.
ReplyDelete"with my last breath...I curse...ZOIDBERG! ". Wow, so that was crazy, and not good. Do you guys want me to make another cleric, or try and get something different in? I was really liking the idea of vryloka since they have necrotic resist.
ReplyDeleteJoe, I'm gonna try to send you something tonight. Hopefully a new player doesn't beat me to it.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI'm gonna submit a dragonborn warlord hopefully sometime tonight
ReplyDeleteOk gents, for those still standing: where to next? Wasn't there a second path down here? Or do we want to see if we can get to the door in the cobblestone path?
ReplyDeleteI suggest we pick up our fallen and set them to repose back in the first chamber, then investigate the second path. The looting thing is a bit crass I think, unless its healing goods that they 'OBVIOUSLY' won't be needing. Of course, this is just my thoughts, in truth Hanar would be busy prying off rings and testing out magical gear. Mournfully of course. If it was allowed I'd use my raise-dead ritual but that takes like 8 hours, so it's forbidden in this module.
ReplyDeleteI will allow harvesting magic items off of dead crusaders as long as they are still intact (not disintegrated, etc). I will let you guys know what the two dead dungeoneers had over my lunch break.
ReplyDeleteLets pick off the useful items and then investigate the second path. That's my vote.
ReplyDeleteOOC: Two new dungeoneers will be joining you.
ReplyDeleteEl-Kal
Deva Bladesinger
Arcane Controller
Vesten
Half-Elf Hybrid
Divine Striker
Hey all! Looks like I'm being called up to the majors.
ReplyDeleteThe name's Jeremy and I'm playing Vesten, a half-elf ardent/avenger. I'll be working thru the posts as quickly as I can to come up to speed, but Joe thought it was a good idea to go ahead and introduce myself here.
Plot summary update coming tonight!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the crew, Vesten! I look forward to gaming with you. Oh, look! Hanrar is saying hello as well!
ReplyDeleteHey all! Looking forward go facing death and possible dismemberment with you all.
ReplyDeleteI'll post Vesten's entrance as soon as plot summary goes up.
Plot summary and Vitals tabs updated. I went a more picture-is-a-thousand-words approach with the summary.
ReplyDeleteOk boys, I'm back! Blade singer this time. Let's hope I don't get killed again before the real action starts! I'll post an entrance soon.
ReplyDeleteAnd Joe, Kin had multiples of the potions, hence the bandolier. It may not have translated to the iplay4e site.
3x potion of healing and invulnerability...plus my scrolls. Could be useful to others. Like my bladesinger. He will take whatever others can't use.
DeleteBuddyDnD, would you be willing to update us on how many potions and of what type there were on Kin Kuro? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm totally pumped up to see where you guys go next! Will it be the door at the north end of the Cobblestone Path? Or the mysterious hallway in the south west? Or something else? I can't wait!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteJust so you know, Diablo III is not an excuse to not post to Grind4E. *EVIL DM*
ReplyDeleteToo late! I didn't see this comment till today. haha
DeleteMysterious hall, Mysterious hall! Brathu will lead...but the Rogue is going first!
ReplyDeleteI just realized that there's a spam filter on the comments, and that I have to occasionally check it. Vesten's posts went there, but I cleared them.
ReplyDeleteIf you guys can pick a direction and post to the main site, I could have a sweet post out for you at lunch time.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTesting whether the blog will flag this as spam.
ReplyDeleteLooks like it worked. No spam this time.
DeleteHave we given up on the idea of sending the imprisoned shade through the crimson portal? Or did we lose that when Tak-Tha and Kin Kuro died?
ReplyDeleteSalzacas is my item...though Bjorn currently has it. If the shade disappears, it won't do us any good, unless someone can scry it...
DeleteYeah, I don't like that portal. Just sitting out there in the open? Seems dangerous to me.
DeleteI don't want to waste the scroll on that, as I like the idea of using it to scry the phylactery. That just allows us to view it, not tell where it is, though, right?
ReplyDeleteWithin the next day or so, I'll get the treasures page up so we can divvy up the new found loot and the stuff from the dead crusaders.
ReplyDeleteOkay, quick question and tally of votes: Does the scroll of view object give us a general idea of location as well, or will we have to discern the item location from a description of its surroundings, and once we see the location, could we use the circlet of clairvoyance to find said location by the description? Alright, now for the vote, who says use the scroll to find the phylactery and who votes for using it on the portal or something else? Or were we going to use the circlet to see what lies beyond the portal?
ReplyDeleteObviously I'm for finding the liches phylactery ASAP so we can demolish this undead sight-challenged spell-tosser.
I can chime in that the SoVO will not determine location, but you can get a view of the background and perhaps find it, like Magnum PI did when he saw an image in the background of a missing girl's photo and deduced where she was. #ChildOfThe80's.
ReplyDeleteObviously it's time to cast "Summon Ferrari" and "Greater Bushy Mustache". #ThemeStuckInMyHeadYouBastard
DeleteI'm in favor of using it on the phylactery, personally!
ReplyDeleteAlso, looking at the map, it looks like we're set to return to the cobblestone path? I'm wary of more pits in there, based on the rumor. I've got winged boots to negate fall damage, but I'd like to avoid getting blasted by wands if there are more. So maybe I can scout for more pits with a rope tied around me?
Also also, what do you guys think in terms of who should use the nimbus? I wouldn't mind it to help scout and look for traps! I'm not an overly wise rogue, after all, and our trapfinder is very dead.
I say we continue with Tak-Tha's plan of using a weighted satchel on a 10' pole to tap ahead, see if we can trigger the traps before we ever get close to them.
ReplyDeleteThat works for me too. Teryn has this thing about getting blasted by wands of Orcus; she likes to avoid it. She's very picky, you see.
DeleteWell, a lady has to have standards...
ReplyDeletePlease. Teryn is a princess.
DeleteYes, Princess Teryn.
DeleteI've got the treasures tab back, for you to claim items. If you really wanted to do me a favor, if you claim an item that changes your character sheet, resubmit your dnd4e file to me after you equip the item. Of course, stuff like the Nimbus of True Seeing doesn't exist in the CB, so we'll just make due.
ReplyDeletePrincess Teryn is getting spoiled! Oh dear!
ReplyDeletePrincess Teryn's vision is now in High Def.
ReplyDeleteFrom DeuceDM:
ReplyDeleteOOC: no disrespect to Joe, of course, I've just had too many experiences with players who take things for granted. Not saying we are, just a caution. I'd rather know I rolled then just "you seem darkness...nothing's there"
Me:
I'm confused, are you asking me to do something in particular?
Joe: nope, not asking anything of you. Just responding to Paul's reaction to my OOC comment. Didn't want it taken the wrong way. I've had too many players yell at me when they make assumptions, trying to not make any more mistakes here!
DeleteDo we think the rumor has been proven false? I fear we may have missed one of the secret doors...
ReplyDeleteWe would have had to miss two secret passages for the rumor to be false. I don't think the bottom of the first pit counts.
ReplyDeleteI vote for going down the cavernous corridor.
ReplyDeleteI feel silly. Yursil has a ritual for seeing the last few moments of a corpses life. We could have used it on the skeleton. Doh.
ReplyDeleteHey, don't worry. We can always backtrack...we haven't found the hole for that key yet...
DeleteGood point. Joe, did we ever get a ruling on the key? Do the pieces fit together and latch or does it explode or melt or what?
DeleteThe key pieces fit together, but the key does not self-mend. It's non magical. It's still in two pieces.
DeleteOkay, I've got an invisibility spell, and we have three potions of invisibility. So we could send Teryn in to scout the place out, see if she can't find the shinies and grab them and run back. Otherwise four of us can use them and position ourselves so we can just hammer the giants. Or hell, who has ranged weapons? We can peck at them at distance. Most of my spells are long range heavy hitting damage spells, much fewer utility spells since I figured we'd be fighting for our lives. Thoughts?
ReplyDeleteYursil is a warlock, so he's a ranged striker. We could try to verify the rumor by sacrificing...I mean sending the lone defender close to one of the giants. :D
DeleteKnowing how this is fourthcore, there's probably some twist to the battle that we don't know about yet.
DeleteWho here's human or elf? touches his nose not it.
DeleteYursil _was_ an elf. Does that count?
DeleteI'm happy to go scout things out, preferably with the benefit of some invisibility and the promise of backup. That rumor about the giants sounds too good to be true. Smells like bait to me, haha.
ReplyDeleteBrathu will ready an action to charge the nearest giant if he awakens.....also, seeing as I have one surge left, I am a bit fatalistic right now. I will start dropping bombs to make sure we get out of this alive....
DeleteI will back you up, for sure. Deva isn't either of those, of course. I have a few ranged attacks, weak though. Activating my blade song and charging would be the best way for me to help...Speaking of which, joe, I can activate a blade song at-will at the end of a charge, right?
DeleteStarting the combat may be inevitable, so let's get this started!
An explosion of posting, this makes me very happy!!!
ReplyDeleteAlways happens when there's stuff to kill!
DeleteHey, I'm going to try to weld the key back together, no mending ritual. Does anyone else have one or should I go for it?
ReplyDeleteI don't, but that would have been in Kin's ritual book I think. Maybe we should wait on that issue until we actually need it. There aren't any doors here, r there? I am assuming that key goes to the cobblestone door.
DeleteDon't be stupid, let's work out a strategy before we go balls first into a meat grinder. Who can do what if shit hits the fan? I have lots of high damage spells and a fair ranged attack weapon. Several of my spells also push and hold, maybe get the far one into the pit?
ReplyDeleteYou can do more OOC fun atOOC 2
ReplyDelete