DM themed play-by-post D&D game : OOC thread

[Lord_BoNes]

The requested perception check 1d20 = 16.
I'm waiting for this d20 of mine to really go south... it's gonna catch up with me someday

EDIT: Just looking at the stats for intimidate...

Demoralize Opponent
You can also use Intimidate to weaken an opponent’s resolve in combat. To do so, make an Intimidate check opposed by the target’s modified level check (see above). If you win, the target becomes shaken for 1 round. A shaken character takes a -2 penalty on attack rolls, ability checks, and saving throws. You can intimidate only an opponent that you threaten in melee combat and that can see you.

I feel that -2 for only 1 round is a too low. One possible middle-ground would be:
The penalty is dependant on the success of the associated roll, IE: you require a 5 to intimidate, you roll a 12, they get a -7 to all rolls (you HEAVILY intimidated them, so they're sh*tting themselves and thus suffer more) and it should dissipate at +2 per round, if it goes above -2 then they "snap out of it". So the above example would mean, shaken for 3 rounds (-7 for 1st round, -5 for 2nd, -3 for 3rd, -1 for 4th... but it's less than -2 so not shaken anymore)

I know that I've rambled a bit. But, you know me... I like to give alternate means of doing things (more balance for us AND the enemy).

This mechanic would only apply in the instance of using Turn undead, not for normal intimidation.

[oh_brother]

Hi all, I will be very busy today probably until five this evening, so I may not get a chance to update before then. If I can sneak a quick update in I will.

[beowuuf]

Sorry LB, missed you edit - I check the forums regularly enough it's best to multiple post not edit old posts.

I'm not granting you such huge bonuses, I told you in the past -2/+2 was the good range for ideas and effects, -4/+4 is the 'something significant happened'. That's where the game is balanced. Plus that extra decay bookeeping you suggested would kill a live game, and certainly make my job harder even in a pbp game.

I'm making the effect of the turn a little more than shaken if you outclass the undead, not if you happen to roll well on a die. The point was it will be using the intimidate mechanics - what you are rolling against what they are rolling. Sorry if I didn't make that clearIf you check the original turn undead, the check roll is heavily modified and then pivots around the undead HD anyway but that's it - the effects were always the same.

@OB - ok, I think I'm still waiting for money to post, so you'll find it's later evening update anyway.

[Lord_BoNes]

My above post was just a starting point... and was intended as just an example. I can see your point though, -7 is a bit overkill... but 1/2 that wouldn't be (still draining at -2 per round though).

My main reason for suggesting such things is that I run into those kinds of "tweaks" in my own game. When a computer is doing all the paperwork for you, it's much easier to say "let's make it drain away over time" instead of "let's just give it a set duration/effect".

[beowuuf]

Exactly, plus the computer is out to get you effectively, it can't tweak the game as a challenge for you without hard and fast rules you then need to overcome.

As it stands, I set the challenge so hopefully pitch things that will be intersting to fight, but not overwhelm you without really bad luck. Something so large an advantage means I just woulnd't use undead, there's no point - it's a waste of your time and mine if you spend a week of real time posting about chasing after undead, and simply rolling dice waiting for their hit points to drop to 0. As it stands you guys have been pretty lucky against this first wave - aswell as good tactics in most cases - so you are in the position of swinging. I'm sure you guys are glad this will be the last day (possibly) of it being this easy for you

The only other alternative would be to pitch the challenge large enough that it's still a challenge given that mechanic - in which case, I'm letting luck have a greater factor. Something more powerful has more of a chance of killing you before you kill it if it's damage and attack are ramped up.

Anyway, it's something to think about, but right now you guys have rechargeable magic, and I'm not setting anything up to combat that other than having reduced the samage of offensive spells a little. So the game is already shifted in your favour. I'd rather get a couple more combats under my belt to understand exactly how bad a combat needs to be anyway to be fair but challenging, without introducing another wildcard.

Depsnding on however people are finding the game, there's plenty of time yet

[Lord_BoNes]

Understood loud and clear! I get EXACTLY what you mean. A challenge isn't a challenge without the risk of death, but too easy and no-one plays.

[beowuuf]

Yeah, the d20 system is of course trying to give the epic feel of anything can happen, while not making it too based on luck. The 1 - 20 range, centred around the 10, gives a good design space for luck to play a part (especially when outmatched, for some fun epic successes), while still allowing skills and bonuses to make a significant contribution for increasing the odds.

Will keep it in mind as with all these things, but I think letting one swing of luck then influence another swing of luck knocks things a little, especially if the modifiers get too large.

Anyway, once I update this eveing you can start to see the mechnanics I had at work, and we can play it by ear from there.

[oh_brother]

Westian better move too...he will take a 5-foot step to I5 if it is empty, if not be will move to I6.

[beowuuf]

Ok, I might update and leave money's move hanging, given the passive nature of the last move!

[beowuuf]

Update's up. The grey critter s the one under the slow effect, the red critter is the one Aurek scared away.

Funny how the dice rolls and character beats worked out perfectly for Aurek's non-running foe!

Anyway, next round time to think exit strategy - the walls are still moving, and now you have golems walking around in the way... Time to make any final preparations if you think there's going to be a further set of fights here. Potions, movement, examinations - you ain't gunna have much time here....

[ian_scho]

Hey, did Haynuus just fumble a gnome?!
He's got a +4 Strength modifier if it's a DC10, mind.

[money]

Quick update, You were correct - Falkor was still happy to watch , however he would have moved to the far side of Brighteyes (M2) once the Golems had moved to stay our of their way! I'm going to struggle to post IC - but Falkor would be reacting to the others, so if they were clear to move Falkor would follow them to the door... staying close to Aurek and the Gnome.

[beowuuf]

Ok, Falkor's initiative will be delayed to the same as Brighteyes, and he'll will start from M2 this round, moving directly to the door

@Ian - it will be a grapple if you really want to grab the gnome (why do people want to grab the gnome all the time, he's the one that was spurring you lot on and only stopped cause you guys did!) Your current attack is a touch attack to actually grab him, at +8 not just +4, so you'll win that. He won't hit you back, but I'll then need another roll for opposed rolls to actually keep hold of him.

That would be your move this round (you only get six seconds, remember!). He'd definitely resist getting actually lifted and pulled away, so you would need to roll an opposed check each round, and could only move half your speed if you succeed.

[ian_scho]

Bah. Well Haynuus wouldn't want to antagonise him. Don't grapple the guy then. Maybe I should update the post to a more verbal come on!....

Ahh, he's small isn't he, so get's a -4! Nice to throw someone around, though

[ian_scho]

Blimey, just reading the rules I really wouldn't like to be the DM who has to work out the consequences of attempting to grapple a stunned wolf-riding goblin while mounted over rough terrain with a duck under your arm... It could happen.

[beowuuf]

Grapple has been derided as very complex, which in a way it is, and in a way it's easy. I think the dice rolling is a pace killer, and the fact there are ways to break the game if you train for it specifically is also a worry. Anyway, it's easy enough for PbP, if the undead start grappling, I'm just gunna ask for a bunch of dice from you guys and do the heavy lifting on my end

[beowuuf]

And lol, I oculd probably rule on all that. It's -4. See, that was easy

[beowuuf]

A fecked up keyboard is puting pid to my plan to update now quickly and then relax. I guess I'll be using the terrible keyboard later on this evening!

[Lord_BoNes]

Bugger! Me donn't be licking wen da keybord gose alllll skruded up

[beowuuf]

It's ok, I cleaned it up, opened it up to make sure everything that got spilled on it (milk perfectly tipped onto it) was gone...and so now it really doesn't work

I guess a trip to he nearest computer shop tomorrow evening then

In the meantime, that's been a waste of two hours.... onwards to the update. Apologies for any dropped letters making anything less readable than normal!

[beowuuf]

Oh, just so you guys know, I was a little bit generous in my movement for the group. If you had a straight line for running 'as the crows flies', I let you take it. Mechnically speaking the grid didn't allow you to make runs, but you know what - this is an RP game bnot a board game, so I feel confident enough to kick it old school and let you make for he door

That's the exception not the rule though!

[beowuuf]

Oh, and advanced warning - I have a challenge test to do for a certification, one the same weekend as my mother is down. So I might be on reduced updating - or even need to take a long weekend off - from Wednesday or Thursday next week.

Pa it by ear as we get closer to the time.

[beowuuf]

Westian's asking the important questions, Falkor's using the key, and there are some great perception rolls being thrown around right now. You guys are going to be fine.

*grrr*

Let's at least make you break a sweat....

[Lord_BoNes]

Something tells me you accidentally linked the wrong map... hehehe

[beowuuf]

Ok, so there we go, the heat is on again, but there is light at the end of the tunnel!

So, if Falkor continues with playign with the key, I am semi-open to suggestions on how he can proceed. Essentially, I'm looking for skill-check type ideas (with dice rolls), but I'm also looking for some creative ways to use skills. Focus magic to try and overload the magical 'circuitary'? Use magic to try and add additional 'oomph' to turnign the key? Try and help the mechanism by 'picking' the rest of the lock.

I have ideas on how certain things would work, and the associated benefits and penalties of doing certain types of things. Obviously, Falkor is the best placed to work some things, but others can help - or even come up with amazing ideas!

Really good ideas might spring the lock right away, but more likely you guys will need to combine a set of different imaginative skill checks, and wear the problem away over a few rounds. The better the ideas the lower the DC to meet, or the better the bonus, and obviously good rolls will speed up the process too.


Obviously, if people like Aurek and Westian don't want to stand with their back against the wall waiting for Falkor, they can always run around checkign out the golem's alcoves for pressure pads. Sure, you guys don't weight the same as a golem, but... is that the only way you can 'persuade' a pressure pad to play ball?

And obviously, the rest can just kill Westian and Aurek and promise *honest* to ressurect them later


Oh yeah, and there's some vicious undead to watch out for. Still, you guys can just happily let the NPCs and golems deal with those, right?

[beowuuf]

Something tells me you accidentally linked the wrong map... hehehe

Nope, you guys have just made absolutely no progress! Boy, what were you lot thinking?

Ok, ok, it should be the next numbered map, I'll go adjust the link now

[beowuuf]

Oh, and I forgot to say - can you guys give me a set of plain rolls with each move too. It's goign to get a little more hectic, and it's good to have rolls to use rather than roll them for you or hope to catch you.

OB and LB, best give me eight spare rolls. That's right, I said eight! I really, really hope you never have to see why I might need that many.

Haynuus can cleave anyone around him, so Ian always roll enough attack and damage rolls to cover that. From now on, I don't think you will find it so effective, but it will still be a bloody good tool.

Oh, and money, I think Falkor is ok for the moment... if he has a weapon drawn, and would plan on using it if a critter came close, then an AoO attack roll and dmaage roll would be cool.

[Ameena]

I'm guessing that the eight rolls are for something to do with the eight creatures not currently occupied by golems .

[beowuuf]

Not quite... and yet, perhaps. And yet... not quite....

[Ameena]

Maybe each creature is gonna do some kind of effect vs. their chosen targets (ie Westy and Aurek), and the rolls are some kind of save to see whether they resist it or not. Is my theory .