The Offer, part 2
Subject: The offer part 2
Very impressive.
I'll start writing something up for Surin this evening, but it may not get posted 'till tomorrow. Apologies for the lack of communications - this has been a hectic week. My sister is now all married though, so I suppose it was worth it ;)
From: Kevin
Subject: The offer, part 2
I have not had a chance to write any more today. Issues came up at work that I am still trying to sort out. I will try to get this finished tonight, or tomorrow morning at the latest.
From: Mark
Subject: Archives
Is any one able to view the archives?
Mike says he has updated the database and that the archives have been moved over, up to 8/6/07 but when I hit the link I get a blank page.
Turn, character sheets, the offer part 3
Subject: Turn
I will write something up tonight.
I was waiting to see if Randy and Bryan wanted to do anything.
Kevin are you going to write up anything for Salix?
From: Randy
Subject: Turn
I've got something in mind for Ranthir while in town but I kind of need to see my character sheet before I decide what to spend my money on.
From: Mark
Subject: Turn
OK I'll see what I can do about the sheets.
From: Mark
Subject: Character sheets
Ok guys
I need you to help with something.
First, go to the link below. This is the link to the old Sakeriver. The character sheets are there. Copy down all the info about your character. Keep this for your records.
I am going to talk to my oldest son about him transfering the info to the new site, but I want everyone to have a hard copy of thier character sheets as of this date.
From: Kevin
Subject: Turn
I may if I have time tonight after finishing Harp stuff.
We had a loan that was supposed to close today that had a hickup last night at 4 pm. Have spent most of the day working with lawyers trying to get an acceptable solution to a minor problem. Billable hours are totaling up.
From: Porter
Subject: Turn
I also have some stuff to write about what Mund buys, but that doesn't have to be done now, especially if Mark lets us retcon a bit or if the plot hook takes a while.
From: Josh
Subject: Turn
I may do more with Kal. I don't have anything in particular that needs to be done, but I'm in the mood to write lately. Don't hold up the game on account of that though.
From: Porter
Subject: Turn
Derek's leaving for Japan tomorrow morning, and he asked me to take over Alley, including possibly buying him some magic items with his loot.
If he looked, would he be able to find pearls of power and a lesser empower metamagic rod?
From: Porter
Subject: Stuff
I seem to recall us finding a magic ring at some point which Mund was going to try on but didn't. Whatever happened to it, and what was it?
From: Porter
Subject: Identify magic items
Derek is going back to Japan tomorrow morning, and has asked me to take over Allistair for a week.
Finishing up taking care of his gear, Alley needs to buy some 100 gp pearls for the spell Identify.
The entire party benefits from Alley casting this spell, so he is going to ask every member of the party to contribute 100 gp so that he can buy some pearls.
Mund will agree to this. Does anybody disagree?
From: Josh
Subject: identify
The order provided us with the necessary materials for the spell, IIRC.
From: Porter
Subject: Identify
While we're here, yes, but not while we're on the road, like when Alley identified those magic shields and chain shirts.
From: Jason
Subject: Identify
That's fine with me.
From: Mark
Subject: Identify
When do my plot hooks take a while? :)
Once the party leaves town, things need to be done by then.
From: Kevin
Subject: Identify
Harp is OK with giving 100 gp toward a pearly fund.
From: Josh
Subject: Identify
Kal has some pearls on him which he bought last visit in town. He's capable of casting identify as well, and he uses them to cast that ice spell, so he'll hang onto them and pick up some more if he has any cash left over. (I'll know tonight when I look at the character sheet). If Allistar needs some Kal will give him some no problem.
From: Kevin
Subject: The offer, part 3
Kal considers for a moment. Here, in this place, truth needed to come out.
"Harp, I need to be fully honest with you. I was suspiscious of you, of that place, of those living there. That place was evil, and evil can tempt even the best of men, or half orcs for that matter. I did not give you the trust you deserved, and even though my mistrust may have prevented something from happening, it never the less diminishes your debt to me. What I did was not fully out of a positive conern for you. It was based on suspicion. I'm not worthy of what you offer me."
Harp thinks back to all his interactions with this little elf over the past number of months. "Kal, it seems we are doomed to always misunderstand each other. I am offering one of the special blessings of our Order to you as recompense for putting your life at risk because of my bad decision. You wish to refuse because your decision to follow was made based on suspicion, rather than true concern. If I remember when we first met, we had another disagreement before we left for the Testing Ground, and almost came to blows over it. But, somehow, I think we are much alike. We want to rid the world of evil and to us, our swords are the way we do it.
If you will not take this offer as my act of contrition, then will you take it as an offer of friendship and trust? What we endured in that alley is something that few folks ever experience and walk away from. You are one of the most skilled people with a blade I have ever met, and when you dance you nay impossible to touch. If I can give you some of my, how do I say it, durability, I think the whole group will benefit."
Kal sits back, a curious look on his face. Didn't this go beyond the pale? Here was a 1/2 orc offering something that was obviously incredibly important to him, not only out of a sense of duty, but from a sense of friendshp. What would his friends, if he had any, think about this? But, was this an offer he could walk away from? He had seen Harp at his best. He could take a sword strike better than most, and he was no where near a profficient a fighter as Kal. If he could somehow provide Kal with a similar ability, Kal could be an even more effective tool against injustice in the world. This friendship with Harp, however, would be something that he would have to see how it worked. This was beyond his expectations and experiences. But, to turn down such an offer, made in good will and with good intent - no, that he could not do.
"Very well, Harp, I will accept your offer. I never thought I would see the day when I would tie my self to one such as your self, but, as the saying goes, even an old dog can learn new tricks. Lets see if this young elf can do the same.
Now, tell me how this blessing works."
Harp takes the next few minutes to explain how the blessing works, and its limitations. When they are done, Harp asks "Are you ready? If so, I will go consecrate the rings at the altar of the Battle Lord, and then whenever you wish, you need but ask and I will pray for the blessing. But keep in mind that when we use this, you need to let me know what you are going to do so that I can try to keep within distance. If you leave, the blessing will end for this day. I don't move as quick as you do, but if you can give me some hint as to what you are doing, even if it is just a shout or a hand motion, I can stay close enough."
OOC: Mark, Harp will offer to show Kal the basic hand signals the martial side of the Order use for communicating basic movements when staying silent.
This is not as complete as I would have liked, but it has drug on longer than I expected. Basically, Harp can now cast Shield Other on Kal, which will give Kal some benefits during combat. Kal does not know that Harp will be taking the damage that Kal is not - that will probably come up at a later date.
Mark, I will write up a short list of the items Harp bought while in town tomorrow morning.
From: Kevin
Subject: The offer, part 3
OOC: My apologies to Josh for any liberties I took with Kal. We could have tried to RP this back and forth, but it would have loaded up our inboxes.
Thank you, Josh, for letting me do so. Seems the two have come a long way from their first fight.
From: Josh
Subject: The offer, part 3
No apologies necessary. It was better written this way. Thanks for doing it.
>hr />
From: Kevin
Subject: The offer, part 3
If you have the time and inclination, please write up something from Kal's point of view after this has been done. Harp is more than willing to go do some weapons training for the remaining weeks with Kal. The more time they spend working together, the better they will work together when needed in combat.
From: Porter
Subject: The smoke lodge
Did y'all get my story about Mund in Salix's sweat lodge last week?
From: Mark
Subject: The smoke lodge
I did.
From: Kevin
Subject: The smoke lodge
I did as well. Have been focused on Harp's story so have not taken the time to write up comments on the other stories.
From: Bryan
Subject: Character sheets
I've seen a few updates with regard to the availability of character sheets. Current status is still that they'll be fixed near the end of the week? Trying to write a level story for Surin and having some issues 'cause I do not know the character sheet as well as I should.
Rules Ruling
Subject: Harp's equipment
Mark, here is what I see Harp having purchased during his break.
Sword upgrade to Shocking 4,500
Cloak of Resistance +2 4,000
Handy Haversack 2,000
Wand of CLW x2 1,124
Platinum Rings x2 200
Pearl Fund 100
Total is 11,924. He had 12,300 to work with, leaving 376 gp. Say he spent 76 gp on mundane items (arrows, basic adventuring gear, etc.) and 200 gp as a down payment for the research on the variable shield. That leaves him with 100 gp.
I have both my Sakeriver character sheet printed out, plus my handwritten one I keep as a rough back up. I will need to update it this weekend but could have it pretty much ready in just a few days.
From: Mark
Subject: Character sheet
Ok the archive page problem has been solved and I will be updating the last two weeks of the archives tonight.
Also by the end of this weekend I hope to have all of the character sheets back into the system.
From: Porter
Subject: Rules ruling
Mark,
In your campaign, if someone attempts to sunder a magical weapon being wielded by another, does that weapon get a saving throw in addition to the opposed attack roll?
Argument against:
On page 158 of the the PHB, it clearly describes the rules for sundering weapons. The saving throw is only mentioned in the section for "smashing an object" (page 165), which are a different set of rules similar to, but separate from, the sundering rules, as is apparent in the first paragraph in the "smashing an object" section.
Argument for:
The section on "smashing an object" has other rules which apply to sundering as well, such as the additional hit points a magical weapon has above those of its mundane bretheren. Plus, it says "Magic items *always* get saving throws."
From: Mark
Subject: Rules ruling
I think saving throws are against spells. A sundering attack has special rules(provokes Aoo unless certain feats are present) Also Magic weapons do have a high level of hardness and HP.
I know where you are going with this. The adamantine axe bypasses hardness which makes sundering normal, and some magical, weapons much easier.
Let me look at the rules and talk to my son. He is my rules guru.
From: Porter
Subject: Rules ruling
Yeah, Josh and I have been talking about it back and forth.
Adamantine weapons completely ignore the hardness of any object with a hardness of 20 or less, which means that it would ignore the hardness of any non-special-item magical weapon of +5 or less.
I appreciate you going to the effort of satisfying my curiosity on this regard.
From: Josh
Subject: Rules ruling
The problem I see is that Mund can smash a level 8 character's sword (ahem: Kal) with only opposed attack rolls, something like a 50% chance of success. Throw into the mix that he gets 2 attacks per round, and that's a 75% chance of smashing someone's weapon, at the cost of one attack of opportunity.
Just seems a bit unbalanced to be true; Mund could go around smashing weapons of all our enemies in a few rounds and leave the clean up to the rest of the party.
And this isn't even a result of the Adamantine , really. Mund is capable of dishing out 20 damage, which is enough to smash all but the most hefty weapons even if their hardness isn't ignored.
From: Porter
Subject: Rules ruling
It's always been ridiculously easy to sunder weapons in d20.
That's generally not a problem, because in general, we'd rather kill people and take their loot than destroy their loot then kill them.
It really only comes into play if some uppity elf points his frog-sticker at Mund. ;)
From: Mark
Subject: Rules ruling
I will have to check. It is true that Mund could probably sunder most mundane weapons, but he has paid a pretty penny to do so.
Also I am going to rule, I think, that if the AOO hits and does damage, then the sunder attempt fails automaticaly.
I have to gather all the books and make sure on these rules.
Just remember though that the effects of a weapon count like enchantments, so a +1 rapier with frost and lightenting is effectivly a +3 weapon. That gives it something like +30HP plus the base HP, as well, I think, a higher Hardness.
From: Mark
Subject: Rules ruling
Oh as to the opposed attack rolls.
First, if Kal fights defensively, Mund may never hit the rapier. Second, the two attacks. If Mund tries to sunder with each attack, then Kal gets two AOO.
Maybe Kal should get an adamantine rapier. At that point I would rule that the Hardness is not bypassed.
From: Josh
Subject: Rules ruling
Kal's definitely going to have to make a Sword of Mund Slaying. Just in case, you know.
From: Porter
Subject: Rules ruling
According to the PHB, you can still sunder a weapon even if the AOO succeeds.
Kal's rapier has 35 HP (5 original, 30 from the bonuses) and a hardness of 16 (10 original, 6 from the bonuses).
From: Josh
Subject: Rules ruling
I thought unless you have a special feat (who's names escapes me right now) you only get 1 AOO per round, regardless of the number of opportunities?
From: Porter
Subject: Rules ruling
Fighting defensively wouldn't have any effect -- it's an opposed attack roll. In fact, fighting defensively would make it *easier* to sunder his weapon, because it would give Kal a minus to hit.
A +1 adamantine weapon would have a hardness of 22. Adamantine weapons only bypass the hardness of items with a hardness of 20 or lower. Thus, the hardness would not be bypassed at all.
From: Porter
Subject: Rules ruling
Are there any Munds in the tavern? Because I've got a dagger that's +6 against Munds!
From: Jason
Subject: Rules ruling
Combat Reflexes is what you're looking for. Also, if you're thinking of playing the AOO cancelling the sunder the way you just described, you might want to check out the Improved Sunder feat, because that would probably become very useful.
From: Mark
Subject: rules ruling
Your right. It is Combat Reflexes, I think.
From: Porter
Subject: rules ruling
Concerning automatic failure if the AOO hits:
There are many special attacks which provoke an AOO. These are bull rush, disarm, grapple, overrun, sunder, and trip.
Two of these, disarm and grapple, say that if the AOO succeeds, the attempt fails.
For the rest, the rules do not say that there are any consequences if the AOO succeeds.
From: Josh
Subject: Rings
Mark, do these rings count toward our 2 max count?
From: Mark
subject: Rings
No as they are not magical in and of themselves.
Until the spell is cast they are just really nice rings.
Character sheets, Ran's time
Subject: Character sheets
Mark, do you want us to try to populate new character sheets on the new Sakeriver site? Or do you want Geoff to do it?
I am going to update Harps physical sheet tonight while consuming an adult beverage or two, so by the end, Harp may end up speaking 8 different languages (but he will be unintelligible in all 8).
From: Mark
Subject: Character sheets
Ok the sheets are going up. Please check Sakeriver to see if they are correct. I do not know if you will have access to your own sheet yet. I will have to check with Mike.
Please let me know if there are any changes to your sheet that need to be made. This information is from several weeks ago so most of what you just bought is not included yet. I will get that done.
From: Mark
Subject: Character sheets
Ok small glitch but it is being fixed.
I do need everyone to do something. Actually three something.
First, I need everyone to go to the forum section of Sakeriver and logon.
Second, I need everyone to go to the front page of Sakeriver and logon there.
Third, I need you to send me what your logon name is.
Then, when your sheet is up, I can give you access to your character sheet.
From: Randy
Subject: Ran's time
Ranthir spends much of his time in Gorn visiting with his father. Jaryth Corron was much healthier but was still not the imposing man Ranthir remembered him to be. They talk of Ran's mother and how much they both miss her. They laugh together at memories of happy days long passed. They shed tears over their shared loss. They do not discuss the times of discontent between them. They focus on healing their relationship further.
"Ranthir," Jaryth says to his son, concern in his voice, "you seem to be struggling with something. Why don't you tell me what is on your mind?"
Ran hesitates, not entirely sure he wants to share his weakness with his father.
"I'm scared, father. Ever since that wight sapped so much from me I have felt like I am in over my head on these quests that Heronin has been sending me on. Even as I feel myself getting stronger and faster I don't feel that it is enough. I nearly didn't return to you this time."
"Heronin hasn't sent you on these missions my son, he only requests-"
Ran interrupts "I know that I have no obligation to see to these things but how can I refuse when the stakes are what they are? No, I will continue to serve. I will do all I can to fight the evil in this world. These priests of Nerull were horrific. I can't stand idly by while my friends go off to face nightmares such as these."
"I am proud to hear that you have such love of your friends and your world. For it is your very world that is in danger here. It is right of you to be afraid. Evil is a very real thing. Something that I have taught you from a young age. I only wish that you had chosen to follow in my path. Were you a Paladin you would have had much more protection from that creature." Jaryth beams with pride though as he trails off there is a little bit of sadness in his face.
Ranthir changes the subject, not commenting on his father's career choice.
"There is more that I fear. I fear the person I am. I seem to have very little control of my impulses. I endangered my friends by charging in to save a young girl who died anyway. I am hot headed and I jump to conclusions quickly. I must learn to control this temper of mine."
"Haven't I been telling you that since you were a child?" Jaryth says this with a good natured laugh that turns into a mild caugh.
"Father, I should let you rest."
"Yes, I should rest. Before you go I should tell you that I do know of an enchantment that might give you some additional vigor. There are members of the order who can make an amulet that may help you." Jaryth gives Ranthir the name of someone who can perform this work.
Ran finds the man that his father told him about and makes arrangements to acquire the amulet (Amulet of Health +2 - 3000gp). He also inquires about enchanting his armor. He makes arrangements to have his armor and shield enhanced (armor +1 -> +3 - 6000gp, Shield -> +2 - 3000gp).
*
Ran spends his mornings training with his friends in the chapter house and spends several evenings out at pubs with them. He also spends many evenings with Mira, the barmaid they had introduced to him after Rochelle's rescue. He recounts the latest adventures to her. She is frightened by the evil he tells her of. Reassures him and comforts him as he recounts the death of the young girl. Is Amazed by the things he saw with the druids. She shares with Ran that she had been praying to Heironious for his safety. He thanks her for this kindness.
"It is all I can do while I await your return." She blushes at this revelation of the depths of her feelings towards him. "I worry terribly about you. You are doing a great, noble work. I am lucky to enjoy the attention of such a great man. Me a lowly barmaid."
"I am not such a great man and you are not lowly in any way. I am the lucky one to be graced with your company. It may be that your faith is part of what has kept me alive."
Ranthir agrees to go with Mira to a church service where he sincerely gives thanks to the battle lord.
*
Ran visits with Angelwing and shares his concerns that their band of adventurers might not be strong enough to do what has been asked of them.
"Ranthir, you and your companions have bested much evil and I have every confidence in your ability to continue."
Ran wants to ask why the paladins aren't being sent out in force. He wants to ask why they are being given a limit as to what the Order will provide them with. If the world depends on the success of these missions, why not give every member of this small group the most powerful enchantments available?
He wants to ask these things but as he feels the heat rising to his head he stops himself. These are important questions but now is not the time. Now is the time for friendship.
"Hero," Ran calls his friend by his old nickname "I've been doing quite a bit of training lately. You wanna see if you can still take me down?"
"I hate that nickname." Heronin laughs as he walks to Ran. Towering over him, he grabs Ran and pulls him into a headlock. "And I can still take you down!"
The two grapple for a few minutes before hearing a soft chuckle at the door. Rochelle enters and tells Angelwing that he has a visitor and that if he wanted to play with his friend, he should invite him to dinner sometime.
Ranthir excuses himself and returns to his quarters, feeling like a weight has been lifted from him.
*
OOC: Ran will also give 100 gp for the pearl fund.
Chain shirt and Ring
Subject: Chain shirt
Kal didn't take the +2 chain shirt. He doesn't really benefit from it's use (+1 AC for -1 to attack and a bunch of other minuses). The character sheet still showed him wearing the studded leather so nothing changed. If anyone wants that as part of their loot it's up for grabs.
From: Josh
Subject: Ring
I think this is the ring from the cleric that jumped Harp and Kal. Did we ever find out about this?
Sakeriver
Subject: Sakeriver
Has any one else been able to get on Sakeriver? I have not been able to logon since last night.
From: Karl
Subject: Sakeriver
I have not. I just tried again. I get the "cannot connect to server" error.
From: Randy
Subject: Sakeriver
I've updated my sheet to reflect my purchases (and the enhancements they provide).
Adventure start
Subject: Adventure start
I have sales meetings all this week so my time is going to be spotty. Right now lets plan for the next adventure to start on Saturday, Sept. 1. Always nice to start on the first of the month.
So if anyone wants to do anything they need to get it and their character sheet done by Friday.
From: Kevin
Subject: Adventure start
I will try to have Harp's stats and information updated by then.
From: Josh
Subject: Adventure start
I'll have Kal updated by then. I picked up comprehend languages for 100 gold and the mithril shirt for 1525 and sold the studded leather for 1160.
Kal has 735 gold left after all his purchases.
From: Mark
Subject: Time of adventure
I figured I would update everyone on some world info.
It is starting to get to be late summer/early fall (late sept. early Oct) The days are getting shorter and cooler. Not cold yet. It has been on the range of 5-6 months since Harp, Ran, Salix and Surin went on thier first adventure.
Therefore, I am going to age those 4 by 1 year. Happy birthday.
Second, I would like to get input on the last adventure now that it is done. I was trying to do a couple of things. First, I wanted an adventure where the party would have to use some of the people skills that sometimes get overlooked. I wanted them to root out the info.
Second, I wanted to work out a more time sensitive scenario. One of the problems with throwing high CR level monsters is that the party either has someone killed really fast and then the other gang up on it. Then they rest and are reset. I wanted to try an encounter sequence that was a sort of war of attrition.
I like to think I got most of it but would like your input.
I have the background for the next adventure all done and some specific set pieces, but as usual, there is room for improvisation along the way.
For example in the last adventure, the encounter Kal and Harp had was not "planned". I had warned many times that people going out at night in small groups did not fare well. When they went out, I had to come up with the press gang. I had had the idea that press gangs were in the city, but I had not fleshed them out. Now I had too. I think it worked out well.
So give me your impressions. Did you like/dislike either aspect that I was going for?
From: Porter
Subject: Time of adventure
It did take an awful long time in meatspace for us to get the information in the game, but I'm not dissatisfied with it.
I think the time-intensivity worked well to give us a challenge other than throwing bigger, badder monsters at us.
I really like that we were able to use cleverness to figure stuff out.
From: Kevin
Subject: time of adventure
I think that those of us that are playing more combat oriented characters were more likely to be put off by the people aspect. Under the D20 D&D rules, fighter types have terrible sense motive/gather information/etc. skills, and so are not much help. While we did learn some things by getting our jobs, and it would have happened that way in real life, the RP aspect of that time was slow when compared to a combat period.
I think that the last adventure went pretty well. I really enjoyed the sideline with Harp and Kal. It was an unexpected encounter that was built up correctly from previous information. It was the longest combat and was on the edge the whole time. It will develop some interesting results down the road.
From: Josh
Subject: Time of adventure
I liked the last mission alot. The attrition part was definitely cool. I thought the final fight was great, and I was interested in the story the whole way through.
If you are searching for suggestions, I'd like it more if there was a sense of potential failure when we were doing the non-combat gameplay. In combat we can lose, in non-combat, to me, it didn't feel like it was a real possibility.
From: Kevin
Subject: Time of adventure
OOC: I have updated Harp's sheets. Derek, on the last adventure, Harp asked Allistair if he could use his Bag of Holding to put some items in. Harp now has his own special item and has it all back.
Here is a list of what Harp has available for the group to use - Ascender, Boltcutters (18 Str), 8 pairs of earplugs, Collapsible Grappling hook, 20' Grappling Ladder, fog cutter lantern, small magnet with a hole in it, steel mirror, crowbar, 2 pulleys, 50'x3 lengths of silk rope, folding saw, snow goggles, sparker, spider poles, hacksaw, 10'x10' tarp, 100' twine, 2x5lbs of silver dust (for spells as needed), misc. other no weight items.
And the nice thing about this holding item is that he can pull anything in it out as a move action without provoking an AOO. It is a thing of beauty and can be had in town for only 2,000 gp.
Shopping
Subject: Shopping
OOC: Guys, just a reminder to have all your "shopping" done and entered into the sheets on Sakeriver by this weekend. Mark is usually pretty easy going, but once we leave town, he will not let you go back and add something.
If you are having issues on Sake, let me know. It took me a couple of trys last night but I finally got the hook of it. But, spend you money to improve your character, unless you are saving your funds for a particular special item.
From: Josh
Subject: Shopping
I'm going to write up one more thing for Kal, Kal and Harp, and probably Kal and Mund. I'll have it out before friday.
Time of adventure
Subject: time of adventure
Sorry, guys -- this has been a crazy week for me. It's a family reunion, and we're having everybody over today to help us fence off our pasture.
I have everything figured out, but I haven't done the writeup.
I should be able to put time into this tomorrow.
From: Derek
Subject: Time of adventure
Darn. I had been hoping Porter would work out all of Ally's and Mund's finances while I was gone. We'll try and work it out together before the next chapter starts.
In other news, I'm back now. (as if you couldn't tell)
Mund goes shopping, Ally as well, Mund and Kal
Subject: Mund goes shopping
During the next few weeks, Mund spends a lot of his time at the training grounds of the Order, sparring or otherwise competing with anybody who will take him on, and practicing new techniques. He trains both in human and bear form. Being able to scare halflings as a bear isn't the same thing as being able to fight effectively as one.
Mund also practices a new technique he's finally gotten the hang of -- launching a wild, powerful attack that has less control but which is more powerful when it hits. He learns that this is even more effective when using two hands, so he stops practicing with a shield and instead weilds his axe with both hands.
[OOC: Mark let me swap out one of Mund's feats which he never used for Power Attack]
With all the money he has to spend, Mund is interested in buying some items that will help him be more effective. The first thing he does is find out if anybody has enough adamantium to make him an axe. Ever since he saw how useful an adamantium axe was in the hands of Gimdrick, the dwarven mage who couldn't even weild an axe in combat, Mund had been wanting to get an adamantium axe of his own. He sells his axe and comissions a larger, 2-handed axe made out of adamantium. [Admantium great axe]
He had been wanting to magick up his mithril breastplate for quite some time, but since his armor "dissapears" when he turns into a bear, he doesn't know what to do.
He talks to Alistair about this, who knows all about the problem. He explains, and finally gets Mund to understand, that magical items whose magic is dependent on the form of the item, like a weapon or armor, cease to work when he transforms. But magic items which work solely because of their enchantment and not their form and not their form, like Mund's ring of protection, continue to work.
First, he gets something to help make up for his loss of armor and shield when he's a bear. He buys an amulet that makes his skin tougher, like an animal's. (Amulet of naural armor +1)
When he goes to pick up his shiney new axe, While waiting for the amulet, he runs across something that he can't resist -- a pair of gloves that make him stronger all the time, whether as a bear or a human. What could be better? On an impulse, he buys them. [Gauntlets of Ogre Power]
Even though he doesn't say anything about it, Mund is very impressed with Harp's magick backpack. If Mund ever got in trouble again like he did with that summabitch orc, being able to grab a healing potion instantly would be extremely useful. At first he's going to go find it on his own, but decides he's being childsh, and asks Harp where he bought his. Harp takes him to the shop, and they have another one which he buys.
Mund then goes a little overboard when he buys potions. He ends up buying 15 potions [12 Cure Light Wounds, 2 Cure Moderate Wounds, and 1 Cure Serious Wounds], but laughs at his brother when he finds out that Alley bought even more.
One of the better fighters at the Order training grounds, who had been sparring with Mund regularly, noticed how much Mund was enjoying his new wild attack [Power Attack], and showed him where he could buy some armbands which make that attack even more effective. Munch like the gauntlets, Mund falls in love as soon as he tries them out and buys them on the spot. [Armbands of Might*]
At the insistance of his brother, Mund buys a cloak that he claims will protect Mund against must about anything except for direct physical harm. Mund thinks it looks dorky and itches, but when Allistair points out that perhaps Mund wouldn't have fallen in that pit if he had had this cloak, Mund relents.
Mund also gives Alley 100 gp for a magick pearl. It's only fair.
Mund discovers that he really misses the gelato he was able to make with his old magick axe. He asks, and yes, they can easily enchant his new axe like his old axe. Even better, Mund barely has enough money to do so. [Admantium great axe, +1, frost]
At this point, he's got 162 gp left, tucked away in a purse in his fancy new havysacky.
One evening as they're eating dinner, Mund talks to Allistair and Salix. "So, as fun as it's been buying these shiney new toys", he pats his gigantic axe, "I'm startin' to get bored here. What do y'all plan on doing now?"
From: Josh
Subject: Kal and Mund
Kal continued his training daily, exploring the increased awareness he's been experiencing. Often times he would look across the training yard and see Mund acting like a fool; turning back and forth from a bears form at whim, often only to impress a passer-by.
I don't understand why the order tolerates him. He's a danger to the mission. He's able to fight, better than most elves I've seen even, but that's not everything. We were lucky the first time when he tried to betray the mission for treasure. We had time to prevent him from doing any real harm. But things aren't getting easier. These Gems are powerful and they seem to attract calamity. Next time we may not have any free time to stand off with Mund.
It doesn't make sense that they judged me and not him. I may have been impetuous, but that's nothing compared to the recklessness that Mund showed when he tackled me from behind, or the outright greed he displayed at the last stage of our mission. Somebody needs to put an end to this.
Kal wipes his sword clean of dirt and sweat and puts it in it's sheath. He walks directly over to Mund, who, in bear form, had tackled a young zealot to the ground and was laughing loudly. Kal walks up and stands next to them patiently. Mund would notice him quickly.
"What do you want Elf?"
"I must speak with you."
Mund snorts, "Can't you see I'm busy? Go dance with some frogs, I have work to do."
"It will just take a moment. You may not like what I have to say. I suggest we speak in privacy."
"There ain't a damn thing you say I like. What's new?"
Kal sighs, he had tried to spare Mund the embarrassment, "Very well. I think it would be best for everyone if you left the group. You clearly don't have much interest in the outcome of our mission beyond the reward they afford you. I'm certain there are more lucrative ventures in town, why don't you go and see if you can't find something there? I think you'd be happier, and it's certainly for the best."
Kal waits a moment for Mund to respond and then goes back to his training.
From: Derek
Subject: Ally's shopping
Once Allistair had spent several days and had finished scribing the new spells into his spellbook, he goes over to see how Kal's progress was going. "Kal, I was wondering if you would like to look at some of the spells in my spellbook? If you think any of them would be useful, I'd be happy to let you learn them and put them into your own."
Kal is pleased at the offer, and selects a few spells from Allistair's repertoire to learn. Since learning from another's spell book is done most easily with the aid of the owner, Allistair stays to help Kal learn the new spells over the next several days. While they are working together, Kal also offers his own spellbook to Allistair to use. Allistair sees some familiar ones, although Kal's personal touch is clearly evident. He sees some that he's never seen Kal cast though. "An invisibility spell that acts over an area? This would have been wonderful in trying to get away from Faldor's men."
"Yes," Kal agrees. "Unfortunately though, I used all my magical energies for that ice blast that took out all the guards in the guard room."
"Well, I guess that couldn't be helped then," Allistair agrees. Allistair chooses three spells to copy from Kal's spellbook. The area invisibility spell (invisible sphere), a protection spell (shield) and a simple spell that reduces gravity's pull during a fall (feather fall).
Once Allistair had finished improving his spell arsenal, he decides to use the remaining gold he had to purchase some useful magic items. He buys a cloak that will protect him from harm (+2 cloak of resistance), since he otherwise has no other armor to protect him from attacks and such. Since in a battle situation Allistair always needs to use his magic missile spell, he buys several magical pearls that will allow him to store 1st level spells in them (4 levvel 1 pearls of power). With his remaning gold he buys some potions, just to be safe (2 CMW and 15 CLW potions). With that his money is spent, but he feels much more ready to take on the quest for the next gem of power.
From: Derek
Subject: Ally's skills
I don't think I did the skills for Ally's level change. How many skill points do we get a level increase?
From: Mark
Subject: Ally's skills
I think a mage gets 2 + INT bonus. So with a 16 or 17 INT he has a bonus of +3 and would have 5 skill points to spend.
From: Porter
Subject: Ally's skills
Yup.
From: Porter
Subject: Kal and Mund
"Yup, I was right. You've got nothin' to say that's worth listening to. I don't care one whit what you think I should do."
"You know, your pretty girl hair is almost grown out again. It would be a pity to have me cut it back off for you. Now leave me alone."
Mund turns his back on Kal, and with redoubled fury, cuts clean through a practice dummy. Crap. That keeps happening ever since he got this new axe.
From: Derek
Subject: Allys skills
OK, thanks. Is there a maximum you can have in a skill based on level or somesuch?
From: Porter
Subject: Allys skills
Your level +3, IIRC.
From: Mark
Subject: Allys skills
In classs skills you can have your level +3 in ranks. There are other bonuses, but the ranks are what you spend the skill points in.
From: Mark
Subject: News flash
I will not be changing the game to version 4 when it comes out. :)
From: Porter
Subject: news flash
Yeah, that would be pretty jarring to change in the middle of the campaign.
3.0 to 3.5 wasn't much of a paradigm shift, but 4.0 seems to be.
From: Porter
Subject: Kal and Mund
Oh, that cheeky Kal.
I love how he's seeing things through such a myopic lens. We both know that Mund isn't in it for the $$, but Kal *can't* know it, because he *has* to be better than Mund. :)
From: Josh
Subject: Kal and Mund
Pshh, Mund almost threw away the world (along with the Gem we were after) for a table of treasure. Kal was pretty pissed about that, and rightfully so!
From: Porter
Subject: Kal and Mund
Oh, you're talking about back in the training grounds?
From: Kevin
Subject: Buying stuff
OOC: Derek and Porter, how much did you guys spend on all your potions of cure wounds? If you spent over 562 gp, you shoudl retcon to consider a Wand of CLW's. You get 50 charges (equivalent of 50 potions) for only 562 gp (at the Order discount). That makes a CLW cost only 11-12 gp. No potion is that cheap. And the wand is just as easy to use.
Just thinking....
From: Mark
Subject: Buying stuff
Now, now, there you go meta gaming.
If they want to spend their money on potions, they spent their money on potions.
From: Kevin
Subject: buying stuff
OOC: Aren't you supposed to be busy?
Ok, then, the jury will disregard the last statement by the person playing the character Harp. Do not notice that he bought 2 Wands of CLW (only cause he could not afford to buy a wand of CMW).
From: Randy
Subject: Wands
Can any character class use a wand?
From: Kevin
Subject: Wands
OOC: Mark has traditionally ruled that if you buy the wand, the merchant gives you the command word. If you find a wand, you need to have the Use Magic Device to try to use it. Once it is identified anyone can use it.
From: Randy
Subject: Wands
Ranthir decides that since he has some money left over that he will talk to Harp about what he has been spending his money on. Harp always seemed to be the most prepared of the group.
"Harp, I was thinking about spending a bunch of money to buy some healing potions."
"Oh, don't do that. Buy yourself one of these wands" Harp reaches into his pack and pulls a wand out. "It's much better value for your money".
"Oh, okay. Thanks."
Ran goes to the store and buys a wand of cure light wounds.
OOC: This wasn't a really cheesy add in or anything.