Handouts for RB's VTRPG

[Cognisant]

Y'mean the jewellery that smells faintly of charred noble?
I assume we're keeping the porno mags.

And for everyone who's wondering what sort of game RB runs, the best kind

 

[Jennywocky]

Well, you can keep those tattered copies of Playorc unless they're collector's items and can bring in a decent chunk o' gold.

But I think there were a few items, weapons, and some other junk we were going to cash in.

I don't think we sold Sword of the Planes. If we are really going to leave this worldly plane for another, then I think we should keep it.

 

[Cognisant]

But I think there were a few items, weapons, and some other junk we were going to cash in.

I remember being told an amount after the game which allowed me enough to buy a "Ring of Spell Knowledge II" (6000gp) but yeah that may have just been my cut of our gold total, not 100% sure though.

I could get four "Ring of Spell Knowledge I" instead which can only know 1st level spells but I think last session having so many available made me a little too keen to cast them, usually I'm all for trying to talk our way through things but I wanted to get into a fight with the hall full of guards just to see what the spells could do.

I learn another 2nd level spell at level 5 so this will give me two in addition to Eagle's Splendor, the skill DC boost from that was awesome and I've found a 1st level spell on the Bard spell list "Tap Inner Beauty" which I can cast as a 2nd level spell and it does almost exactly the same thing which will bring my bluff bonus up to +16

There's also "Weaponwand" so if someone decides to invest in an offensive spell wand I'm happy to integrate it into their weapon, I'll have to swap Tap Inner Beauty in favor of "Web" otherwise I won't be able to exploit the higher spell DC but it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make since I can't cast many 2nd level spells. In fact if it's your weapon Jenny then should probably have Cat's Grace and Weaponward on my rings so I can boost your to-hit chance as well.

Hey Cheese can Edam cast "Bless"?

 

[Jennywocky]

That's an interesting spell I had not seen before:

WEAPONWAND

CASTING
Casting Time 1 round
Components V, S, F (a magic wand)

EFFECT
Range touch
Target one weapon
Duration 1 minute/level
Saving Throw Will negates (harmless, object); Spell Resistance yes (harmless, object)

DESCRIPTION
When you cast this spell on a weapon, you cause a portion of the weapon to open like the skin of a partially peeled apple, revealing a space large enough to insert a single wand within. As part of the spell’s casting, you can insert a single wand into the weapon, at which point the weapon returns to its original form with the wand held inside of it without negatively impacting the weapon’s integrity. For the spell’s duration, a character who wields the transmuted weapon is also considered to be wielding the wand as well. You can attack normally with the weapon or use the weapon as if it were the encased wand. If the effect created by the wand requires an attack roll to successfully strike a foe, you may make the attack roll as if you were making an attack with the weapon at its highest bonus (including any bonuses the weapon would normally receive) rather than just a normal attack with the wand—doing so does not allow you to add the weapon’s damage to the wand’s attack roll, but instead allows you to use your skill with the weapon to boost your chance of hitting with the spell.
At the end of the spell’s duration, the encased wand is ejected from the weapon. If you have a free hand, you may catch the weapon as a free action; otherwise, the wand drops to the ground. If the weapon housing the wand is broken or destroyed during the duration of weaponwand, the encased wand is similarly broken or destroyed.

So it's not a perma, you'd have to take a round to cast it, and giving up an attack to use a wand -- well, it would have to be a good wand, for that purpose... I don't know if that is effective for me. But until I buy my Dex belt, the Cat's Grace is pretty good.

--------------

TAP INNER BEAUTY

CASTING
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, M (a tiny mirror)

EFFECT
Range personal
Target you
Duration 1 minute/level

DESCRIPTION
This spell allows you to tap into the natural beauty of your soul and let it shine from your eyes and your speech. While the spell is active, you gain a +2 insight bonus on all Charisma ability checks and Charisma-based skill checks.

Awwww.....! "I can see Takashi's inner beauty radiating from his eyes. Isn't he love-ly? Isn't he won-der-ful?"

 

[Cognisant]

So it's not a perma, you'd have to take a round to cast it, and giving up an attack to use a wand -

That does ruin it, I could see why a magus would want to use it but not at 1st level.

Awwww.....! "I can see Takashi's inner beauty radiating from his eyes. Isn't he love-ly? Isn't he won-der-ful?"

List of Takashi's qualifications:
-Tax collector
-Breast inspector
-Food Critic
-Foreign diplomat (all countries)
-Sufficiently high ranking officer
-That relative you didn't know you had
-Anyone who might conceivably be the victim of a polymorph prank
-Founder of the Takashi Fried Noble fast food franchise

 

[redbaron]

Magi can cast spells through their weapons with Spellstrike if they ever want to anyway, and get bonuses by doing it so there's no real point in it for them.

Maybe if you put a fireball or other elemental AoE spell inside it, while giving one of the frontliners energy resistance from the damage type. Basically makes them a kamikaze and could wipe a whole room of lower level guards in one round.

I probably shouldn't give you these ideas.

 

[Cognisant]

Btw as I mentioned during the game I didn't take a feat at 3rd level (I think I missed that session) hence why I gave myself an extra level's worth of HP by mistake (which has been removed) so during the game I added another Familiar Extra Item Slot since I thought I didn't qualify for Fox Shape, however...

Fox Shape (Kitsune)

You can change into a fox in addition to your other forms.

Prerequisites: Cha 13, base attack bonus +3, kitsune.

Special: A kitsune may select this feat any time she would gain a feat.

Benefit: You can take the form of a fox whose appearance is static and cannot be changed each time you assume this form. Your bite attack’s damage is reduced to 1d3 points of damage on a hit, but you gain a +10 racial bonus on Disguise checks made to appear as a fox. Changing from kitsune to fox shape is a standard action. This ability otherwise functions as beast shape II, and your ability scores change accordingly.

What the hell? This is a racial feat, only a kitsue can take it.
So why have the BAB prerequisite if it doesn't matter?
...
Oh yeah there's that adopted trait.

Anyway since I do qualify for it I'll take this one instead.

But we get another feat at 5th level... so wait no at 5th level we have three feats so Metamagic extend spell was my first, extra item slot was second and, alright so I did pick my 3rd level feat and Fox Shape will be my third feat at 5th level.

 

[Jennywocky]

That does ruin it, I could see why a magus would want to use it but not at 1st level.

Actually, low levels are fine for a magus because a cheap-ass wand is highly effective at level 1 when his BAB is not very high yet anyway... although doesn't the magus already have the ability to channel his spells through his weapon? So... meh.

I think basically it's a nice convenience / allows for an unexpected power or attack, but it's not something to rely upon.

Some of these spells are so damned limited. We actually had this come up in my level 8 campaign, because Lili (rogue/sorc 7/1) had a ring that allowed her to instantaneously cast Windy Escape if she was going to be clocked. Here's the description:

Windy Escape
School transmutation [air]; Level bard 1, bloodrager 1, druid 1, magus 1, sorcerer/wizard 1
CASTING
Casting Time 1 immediate action
Components V, S
EFFECT
Range personal
Target you
Duration instantaneous
Racial Spell
This spell was originally created for Sylphs. Characters or creatures of other races can learn to cast it with GM permission.

DESCRIPTION
You respond to an attack by briefly becoming vaporous and insubstantial, allowing the attack to pass harmlessly through you. You gain DR 10/magic against this attack and are immune to any poison, sneak attacks, or critical hit effect from that attack.
You cannot use windy escape against an attack of opportunity you provoked by casting a spell, using a spell-like ability, or using any other magical ability that provokes an attack of opportunity when used.

She uses her magic for utility, she's primarily a rogue with enough magic sense to accentuate her roguery. It looks pretty awesome, right? And the description makes it sound like the old "Gaseous Form" potion -- in fact, if you look up the Gaseous Form potion, it has virtually the same effects, just for a prolonged time. So the outcome should be for one swing, the attack goes right through Lili and she burns a spell slot for the day.

But then you look at the mechanics description, and it says, "DR 10/magic against this attack." Like, what? You're insubstantial, but a magic weapon still hits you for full damage? Past levels 1-2, the spell is virtually worthless because almost anyone you're fighting will have a magic weapon even if it's only +1.

The reality is that the spell is also so constrained (you generally need to be a Sylph to even have it), and at higher levels enemies often get multiple attacks anyway, so you're still going to get clocked by some attacks, so .... again, why even have it? And it's 25% of my daily spell allocation to boot, so it's costly.

The GM and I squared off for about two minutes, he split the difference with me; and then hilariously about ten minutes later his boss used a Gaseous Form potion to avoid being hit and to escape, and the whole party called him on it because it has the exact same descriptor (which he had forgotten), and after looking, he's like, "Wow, that's total bullshit, Lili can have her HPs back because otherwise this potion is pretty useless."

Anyway, a number of low-level spells are so restrictive that they only work in very specific settings and/or don't scale well.

List of Takashi's qualifications:
-Tax collector
-Breast inspector
-Food Critic
-Foreign diplomat (all countries)
-Sufficiently high ranking officer
-That relative you didn't know you had
-Anyone who might conceivably be the victim of a polymorph prank
-Founder of the Takashi Fried Noble fast food franchise

We could just temporarily retire and open a restaurant. Takashi charms people to come back, Cheese can be the greeter / Maitre d', Cacia can be a hard-ass waitress, Greg can wear a chef's hat even if he can't cook worth shit because everyone loves big happy cooks, and Grim can procure meat.

 

[Cognisant]

Do Takashi's skills stack with those of the fox form?
So while in his fox form would Takashi have 14 in Stealth?

I want to use this for infiltration purposes without using up my 1st level spells on Vanish.

 

[Jennywocky]

Do Takashi's skills stack with those of the fox form?
So while in his fox form would Takashi have 14 in Stealth?

I want to use this for infiltration purposes without using up my 1st level spells on Vanish.

As far as I know, if you change shape and pick up skill adjustments, they stack with your Skills unless the description specifically says they do not. But are they adjustments, or do you just get a base form with inherent stats? If it's the latter, you should ask RB.

 

[Cognisant]

Well if it doesn't stack +10 is better than nothing and my next question would have to be if the extra item slot feat for my fox familiar also applies to Takashi in a fox form, I can put a ring on the familiar but that's pointless because it can't cast spells but if Takashi could wear a ring in his fox form then if he's spotted he could use vanish to escape.

Also in fox form does Takashi have a fox's HP or his own?
A fox has 1d8+1 per level, Takashi has 1d6

 

[Jennywocky]

Well if it doesn't stack +10 is better than nothing and my next question would have to be if the extra item slot feat for my fox familiar also applies to Takashi in a fox form, I can put a ring on the familiar but that's pointless because it can't cast spells but if Takashi could wear a ring in his fox form then if he's spotted he could use vanish to escape.

Also in fox form does Takashi have a fox's HP or his own?
A fox has 1d8+1 per level, Takashi has 1d6

Is this what it is?

Fox Shape (Kitsune)



You can change into a fox in addition to your other forms.
Prerequisites: Cha 13, base attack bonus +3, kitsune.
Special: A kitsune may select this feat any time she would gain a feat.
Benefit: You can take the form of a fox whose appearance is static and cannot be changed each time you assume this form. Your bite attack’s damage is reduced to 1d3 points of damage on a hit, but you gain a +10 racial bonus on Disguise checks made to appear as a fox. Changing from kitsune to fox shape is a standard action. This ability otherwise functions as beast shape II, and your ability scores change accordingly.

So look at beast shape II:

Beast Shape II

School transmutation (polymorph); Level alchemist 4, bloodrager 4, magus 4, sorcerer/wizard 4
DESCRIPTION

This spell functions as beast shape I, except that it also allows you to assume the form of a Tiny or Large creature of the animal type. If the form you assume has any of the following abilities, you gain the listed ability: climb 60 feet, fly 60 feet (good maneuverability), swim 60 feet, darkvision 60 feet, low-light vision, scent, grab, pounce, and trip.
Tiny animal: If the form you take is that of a Tiny animal, you gain a +4 size bonus to your Dexterity, a -2 penalty to your Strength, and a +1 natural armor bonus.
Large animal: If the form you take is that of a Large animal, you gain a +4 size bonus to your Strength, a -2 penalty to your Dexterity, and a +4 natural armor bonus.

So basically you have three forms now, and this last is a natural fox.

Also go here to read the Polymorph rules... basically a lot of your stuff stays the same, you would pick up whatever powers a fox has as per above, and adjust your scores accordingly. The rules are there too as to what items still work and what is and is not usable.

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic#TOC-Transmutation-Polymorph

 

[Cognisant]

So I'm still wearing the rings but can't cast because a fox can't speak or make gestures.
There's a feat for that called Natural Spell which I can't take because bullshit.

I think I can still get away with Cat's Grace since although the ability scores may change (which was the basis of my stealth score anyway so that answers that) it doesn't specifically say that any spells cast on the original form would be nullified, because then I could polymorph to shake off unwanted curses and status effects.

So base 10 plus 2 with Cat's Grace, Skill Focus (Stealth) will add another 6 by which time I'll have advanced two levels so I can add another 2 to the stealth skill rank.
Total +20 at level seven, respectable.

Btw should we sell this cloak of Wis +1 y'know I'm not really getting anything out of it.
Pitty it's not a cloak of Cha +1 I would refrain from killing for that.

 

[Jennywocky]

So I'm still wearing the rings but can't cast because a fox can't speak or make gestures.
There's a feat for that called Natural Spell which I can't take because bullshit.

Yeah, any "static/passive" powers for the rings would work (eg Feather Fall, Protection, etc). But not things you need to activate somehow.

WHy can't you take the feat? Because you're not wild shape class? Sounds like it's just a specific class ability and it's so powerful that if you're not of the class, then it's not a good balance to give it to others. (Why be Wild Shape if others can do what you can do?)

But you could ask RB for a house ruling.

I think I can still get away with Cat's Grace since although the ability scores may change (which was the basis of my stealth score anyway so that answers that) it doesn't specifically say that any spells cast on the original form would be nullified, because then I could polymorph to shake off unwanted curses and status effects.

So base 10 plus 2 with Cat's Grace, Skill Focus (Stealth) will add another 6 by which time I'll have advanced two levels so I can add another 2 to the stealth skill rank.
Total +20 at level seven, respectable.

My understanding is that any spells already cast on you will remain in effect for normal duration. That's typically how most of these games work ... even MMOs. (I'm a sneaky bitch in WoW and it's part of my play style as a feral druid that can change shapes instantly -- I bamf to human, HoT, and immediately go back to Cat form if I get too wounded.)

Btw should we sell this cloak of Wis +1 y'know I'm not really getting anything out of it.
Pitty it's not a cloak of Cha +1 I would refrain from killing for that.

Where did a Wis +1 cloak come from? Usually stat items are in +2/+4/etc increments.

 

[Cognisant]

The cloak was from the latter parts of the orc dungeon place (RB could be more specific) nobody wanted it because nobody could use it so I ended up with it.

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items#Table-Estimating-Magic-Item-Gold-Piece-Values

Ability bonus (enhancement) Bonus squared x 1,000 gp

So it's only worth 1,000gp (500gp once sold) alternatively we could have it improved to a +2 bonus for 3,000gp which is the price of a +2 item minus the price of a +1 item.

Where did a Wis +1 cloak come from? Usually stat items are in +2/+4/etc increments.

I believe it's custom based on the wondrous item creation rules.

A +3 charisma <thing> would be awesome, I've got 21 at the moment.
Got to get 9,000gp somehow...

 

[redbaron]

Afaik Cheese is wearing the cloak. Assuming he took Wis at level 4 it would bump him from 19 to 20. Extra spell per level.

 

[Hadoblado]

Yeah, now that Cheese is sitting on odd wisdom, it really should go to him.

 

[Jennywocky]

^^ agreed. I didn't know he had an odd wisdom.

(Heee.... see what I did there? )

 

[Cognisant]

It's his.

 

[Jennywocky]

Are we playing this weekend?

 

[Cognisant]

I've discovered a new tactic for Takashi.

Spoiler

 

[Jennywocky]

....Cacia's daddy is dead.

 

[Cognisant]

Not if he makes a bluff check

 

[Jennywocky]

Are we playing this weekend?

Hmmm. Guess not.

Just for record, I'll be gone much of next weekend.

 

[cheese]

Jenny,
From the PM RB sent us:

I'll be back around early-mid December and I'll run one session before a likely break over Christmas/New Year.

So it's looking like only 1 or 2 sessions for the rest of 2014, in December.

[FTR, wouldn't normally quote PMs, but I didn't see anything sensitive in what I posted. Can edit out if necessary.]

 

[Jennywocky]

Jenny,
From the PM RB sent us:



So it's looking like only 1 or 2 sessions for the rest of 2014, in December.

[FTR, wouldn't normally quote PMs, but I didn't see anything sensitive in what I posted. Can edit out if necessary.]

Thanks...I must have missed that.

Ps. Quoting pms? How could you??

 

[Jennywocky]

Got any sense of when the December session(s) will be?

My birthday's this Saturday. It would have been the perfect occasion for Cacia to find something Really Really Cool.

 

[redbaron]

Still travelling at the moment. Probably won't get in a session before Christmas but you never know. I'll try to get it running sooner but it's looking like we'll just have to resume some time in January after the New Year insanity has passed.

Assuming everyone's still interested of course.

 

[Cognisant]

Of course

 

[Jennywocky]

January?

 

[Hadoblado]

!!!

 

[cheese]

I'm still game.

So.... party this weekend at Jenny's?

Also January sucks cos it means Christmas will be over. </3 (why don't we have a wailing emoticon?)

 

[Jennywocky]

Hurray! It looks like we're gonna play again!

 

[Jennywocky]

Are we on for next weekend?

The anticipation is palpable.

 

[Cognisant]

Be patient.

Yes I know coming from me

 

[Jennywocky]

NO! I CAN'T WAIT!

 

[Jennywocky]

Next weekend?

 

[Hadoblado]

I'm down.

 

[redbaron]

Next weekend is a go. Check PM's for doodle. A few things for everyone to do first though:

1. I need everyone to update and send me a copy of a level 5 character sheet for next session. Currently I only have Cognisant's updated to level 5. Anyone who doesn't submit an updated sheet will be scaled to have the HP of whatever their level is - but all your skills, feats, abilities, saving throws etc. will be set to the values of whatever outdated character sheet I have on hand.

2. Since we've had a rather long break, I'm going to allow wriggle room for changes to your builds if you want to try something out. After this session characters are locked in - no changes will be allowed (excepting specific spells/abilities/items that allow for them).

C. I'm torn between not wanting to give away any storyline and wanting to give fair warning. Erring on the side of caution, I'll reveal that there will be a serious shortage of party NPC's in the following sessions. It's in everyone's best interest to figure out some (loosely defined) roles from now on, since you'll basically be left to your own wits and devices.

 

[Jennywocky]

Next weekend is a go. Check PM's for doodle. A few things for everyone to do first though:

1. I need everyone to update and send me a copy of a level 5 character sheet for next session. Currently I only have Cognisant's updated to level 5. Anyone who doesn't submit an updated sheet will be scaled to have the HP of whatever their level is - but all your skills, feats, abilities, saving throws etc. will be set to the values of whatever outdated character sheet I have on hand.

How many HPs should we have per level at this point? Are we doing max HPs or the typical 1/2max + 1? (Plus CON bonuses of course.) but what exactly?>

2. Since we've had a rather long break, I'm going to allow wriggle room for changes to your builds if you want to try something out. After this session characters are locked in - no changes will be allowed (excepting specific spells/abilities/items that allow for them).

Wooo hoo!!!

C. I'm torn between not wanting to give away any storyline and wanting to give fair warning. Erring on the side of caution, I'll reveal that there will be a serious shortage of party NPC's in the following sessions. It's in everyone's best interest to figure out some (loosely defined) roles from now on, since you'll basically be left to your own wits and devices.

I knew we couldn't trust that damned dwarf!

... we are gonna die.

 

[Hadoblado]

DM is talking game... Time for players to start talking game too me thinks.

 

[Jennywocky]

Yeah, we need to get a strategy down. If all the NPCs disappear, we've got some deficiencies. One being that Cacia cannot necessarily tank (she's more a DPS warrior who relies on DEX), and she's also just one fighter to target... which means we need adequate cc to lock things down so the squishies do not get smacked. (Having a dwarf NPC with armor, shield, and lots of HPs to soak up enemy attacks was a big help... and he also dished out damage.)

Also, more damage to take things down more quickly.

We will either have to avoid fights more often and/or control the battlefield better than we have been.

 

[Hadoblado]

I'm thinking of starting a group chat just for players so we can get our shit together. Interested? If so, what platform is appropriate? Cog doesn't do skype iirc.

 

[redbaron]

How many HPs should we have per level at this point? Are we doing max HPs or the typical 1/2max + 1? (Plus CON bonuses of course.) but what exactly?>

Max for first level, then 1/2max+1 for all subsequent levels.

Example for Cog/Cheese in case they aren't exactly sure how it works.

Spoiler

Assuming Cleric with D8 hit dice and +2 CON bonus. At first level you get the maximum HP allowed by your hit dice, so you start with 8. You also add your CON modifier of +2 to your HP at each level. So at level one you start with:

8HP + 2 CON bonus = 10 HP at level 1.

For each level after the first you receive half of your maximum hit dice, then a further +1 HP bonus. So for a Cleric with D8 hit dice, you would receive 4 + 1 for a total of 5HP per level. Add to that your +2 CON bonus and you have 7HP per level.

Also take into account the "favoured class" bonus. Each time you level up your favoured class, you can choose to take either one bonus HP or one bonus skill point on each level up. I strongly recommend that newer players take the bonus HP. So at level 5 you have a bonus of 5 HP.

So Edam's HP at level 5 are:

10 for level 1.
7 for each of the next 4 levels.
1 bonus HP for each level of his favoured class (5 total).
Total HP for Edam is 10 + (7x4) + 5 = 43 hit points.

Yeah, we need to get a strategy down. If all the NPCs disappear, we've got some deficiencies. One being that Cacia cannot necessarily tank.

Also, more damage to take things down more quickly.

We will either have to avoid fights more often and/or control the battlefield better than we have been.

Without giving specifics, Edam invested most of the gold obtained from Felix's hoard on being tankier and more durable.

Damage wise you'll probably do much more than you have been previously. Combat classes get their second attack at level 5, wizards and clerics get level 3 spells which means more buffs and more DPS.

As for battlefield control...most likely you're correct.

 

[Hadoblado]

Battlefield control is handled. Nigga I have spells that cast spells bitchus. We can make walls from their dead.

 

[redbaron]

I'll be sure to swarm you with fire-immune constructs then.

 

[Cognisant]

2. Since we've had a rather long break, I'm going to allow wriggle room for changes to your builds if you want to try something out. After this session characters are locked in - no changes will be allowed (excepting specific spells/abilities/items that allow for them).

Does this mean I can make that dwarf I mentioned?

Here's the thing everyone from a roleplay side of things last session Takashi really ought to have been arrested, from a mechanical balance view having access to the rings of spell knowledge that he does is in retrospect unfair (he has more spells than the party wizard) and from a metagame perspective Takashi enables me in all the wrong ways, he starts fights and makes other people finish them while he's off committing looting, murder and mayhem.

Hence I mentioned to redbaron some weeks ago that I should make a defence orientated dwarf character which with the loss of one of our primary tanks makes even more sense, not only does it keep me out of trouble being a tank means I'm more likely to survive when my loony impulses take over.

Also I have a beard now and a dwarf avatar, I'm feeling dwarfy

 

[Jennywocky]

Ummmm.....second attacks for fighters don't come until level SIX. (BAB becomes +6/+1 at level 6. And it's an attack at -5 full bab, so it's not nearly as dependable.)

I'll be sure to swarm you with fire-immune constructs then.

I didn't think GMS were supposed to have an alignment.









(Of EVIL)

 

[Cognisant]

Btw is taunting an Intimidate or Diplomacy thing, I mean you're trying to convince an enemy to do or not do something (attack you, not attack someone else) so it makes sense that if you're trying to affect someone's disposition towards you being good at diplomacy should make it easier, on the other hand Intimidate can be used to demoralize which based upon the Taunt feat seems to by the typical way Pathfinder handles taunts.

 

[Cognisant]

This is hilarious

Improved Day Job