WotL OOC Thread

[Breila]

I thought the treasure Khush found was in a burial mound of an ancient civilization, without anyone realising that. Probably small amounts of treasure (coins, for instance) had shown up in the past and during the altered state of consciousness during/after a seizure, Khush somehow put two and two together and knew where the source of that treasure was. But he himself believes it was Zeshun who directed him there, and consequently he has faith in her.
What will happen to him in Haven, I don't know. He's not a charismatic person, so he will probably be hard put to persuade the seeker council or anyone else. Given the difficult situation in Haven, he'll pray to Zeshun to provide what is needed for all the people, and do what he can to help to ease suffering. With his dexterity, he might find work to make things like straw mats or other needed material.

[JadedDM]

Well, either there's a glitch in the system or I've been wasting time meticulously adding everyone to the roster. In any case, you have been added officially now, Haahque

In any case, my thanks to Just_Ice for finding us another player then. I admit, I had been a tad disappointed that I only was able to bring in two fresh faces initially. I had hoped to bolster Planet's population a tad more than that. So I'm happy to have you aboard, as well.

Okay, the wizard thing. First, since we're started at 1st level, you needn't worry about joining the Orders just yet. You aren't required to take your test until around 4th level. Even when you reach that point, as long as you keep a real low profile and don't go around showing off your third level (or higher) magic spells, you should be able to keep under the Orders of High Sorcery's radar.

As for disguising the fact you are a wizard, it's actually recommended. People don't trust wizards at this time period; even good aligned ones. Walking around with robes, smelling of rose petals and spices, and openly casting spells in public will, at best, get you some dirty looks--at worst, it will get you burned at the stake. Raistlin Majere openly flaunted the fact he was a wizard, but that's just the sort of fellow he was (and he might have figured that the gold skin and hour-glass eyes were going to tip anyone off anyway, so why not walk around dressed in red robes?) Plus, he had that big hulk of a twin brother to protect him.

Some people shy away from mages, since they are persecuted in this time period, but I think it's kind of cool. Like being a superhero (or supervillain, if you swing that way in the alignment axis) trying to keep your identity a secret.

Or you can say 'the hell with that' and pull a Raistlin, and openly flaunt your abilities and status as an apprentice mage. If anyone gives you crap, just threaten to summon the great wyrm, Catyrpelius, to devour them whole. How are muggles going to know you can only cast one 1st level spell a day, anyway?

I thought the treasure Khush found was in a burial mound of an ancient civilization, without anyone realising that.

Okay, cool. Probably was dwarven then, considering the location. Lots and lots of ancient ruins in Ansalon, thanks to the Cataclysm and all. Can't swing a dead cat without hitting some ancient and lost fragment of per-Cataclysm civilization!

In any case, have you decided on a class then?

[Jenara]

I believe I may have messed up the settings somewhat... Doh! I'll try and fix it when I get on a pc...

[Breila]

The "right" class for Khush would probably be cleric/thief, but that's none of the allowed combinations. Given that the Gods aren't really present, I guess I'd better pick a thief and, who knows, maybe one day he'll be converted to one of the true gods and become a cleric?

[JadedDM]

I believe I may have messed up the settings somewhat... Doh! I'll try and fix it when I get on a pc...

Well, not a big deal, I suppose. Just kind of threw me off a bit. But yeah, might be worth fixing when you get the time. Just in case those annoying spam-bots ever show up again.

The "right" class for Khush would probably be cleric/thief, but that's none of the allowed combinations. Given that the Gods aren't really present, I guess I'd better pick a thief and, who knows, maybe one day he'll be converted to one of the true gods and become a cleric?

Huh...could have sworn half-elves could be cleric/thieves, but now that I check the PHB, I see you are right. Well, I don't see anything game-breaking about it. If you want to be a half-elf cleric/thief, that's fine by me. Of course, you won't start the game with divine spells or powers. You'll need to convert to a true god and obtain a Medallion of Faith first. But the extra HP and improved saving throws could be a help until then. You weapon selection would suck and you couldn't wear heavy armor without ruining your thief skills, though.

So it's up to you.

[HorizonsDream]

Well, while I was away at work and sleeping, this thread just kind of took off didn't it?

I, technically, have my character done. I just haven't managed to post her up yet because I haven't finished with her history just yet. I have the outline done, so I just have to write it down in story form. The basic idea is that she is a guard for the Seekers, she hates it, but she is doing what needs to be done to help her family money wise.

As for her faith, she isn't like a insanely devout follower of the Seeker faith, but she does believe in it. I'm pretty sure that when the Gods come back, she's going to be in a bit of a shock, but I have plans for her to convert, and perhaps join the Knighhood later on in life once she learns a little more about her own back story.

[Haahque]

I pm'd a back story for my character.

I figure he could be traveling and hire himself as an entertainer (he juggles torches and knows some advanced tumbling, perhaps he even combines the acts) or as a hunter/mercenary (he's got a sling and a short bow) whenever he's in need of cash. Or if he's feeling mean, he might steal it.

In D&D talk, he's a thief (Mouse Burglar Kit if allowed) and a Wizard(Illusionist specialist), although he hides both those facts if possible, especially the fact that he can cast.

[Just_Ice]

Well, either there's a glitch in the system or I've been wasting time meticulously adding everyone to the roster. In any case, you have been added officially now, Haahque

In any case, my thanks to Just_Ice for finding us another player then. I admit, I had been a tad disappointed that I only was able to bring in two fresh faces initially. I had hoped to bolster Planet's population a tad more than that. So I'm happy to have you aboard, as well.

I'm a dangerous man that way.


Alrighty, gonna post what I've got so far, here. Feel free to criticize, heckle, etc.


Kynaston Trench, level 1 Male Human Fighter
AGE: 21 Height: 6'1'' Weight: 225 lbs. Hair: Brown, curled. The colour of mud. Eyes: Similar to hair but duller.
STATS:

Str[17]
Dex [16]
Con[13]
Int[9]
Wis[12]
Cha[13]

HP: 10/10
Unmodified THAC0: 20
Unarmoured AC: 8
Brigadine and Shield AC without dex bonus: 5
Bridgadine and Shield AC: 3

Languages: Common, Elven?

MONEY:
5d4=17 * 10 = 170 gp awww yeahhh

Weapon Proficiencies: 4
Battle Axe * *
Lance *
Composite Bow *

NWP: 5
Endurance (2)
Navigation (1)
Mountaineering(1)
Blacksmithing(1)


Secondary Skill roll:
1d100=84
(that's nothing. Bollocks.)

Equipment:
Backpack (2gp) 2lbs
Brigandine (120gp) 35 lbs
Shield, Medium (7gp) 10 lbs
Battle axe (5 gp) 7 lbs
Lance (6 gp) 5 lbs
Longsword (15 gp!) 4 lbs
(Can't afford appropriate composite bow yet)
2 handaxes (2gp) 10 lbs
Solamnic Knights Application Form
Small coin sack
2 wineskins 2 lbs
1 whetstone 1 lb
3 torches 3 lbs
Flint & Steel
Eighth-wedge of cheese
Stone-hard stale quarter-loaf of bread
Squirrel meat
Peasant Clothes

Backstory:
Originally from Haven and the second son of a blacksmith, Kynaston (also known as Kyne) had the fortune to be born to a reputable trade, as well as the opportunity to handle weapons in his youth. Although he spent most of his time with his father, he was quite close with his scholarly mother- he never took to the books but she taught him to read and write as well as a second language. Facing pressure from his family, the father argued with the mother over her lack of womanly profession, and the argument escalated to blows. The mother was left paralyzed, so the father left Haven in shame. Kyne decided to distance himself from the trade and spent more time amongst his peers, trying to ply other trades to feed and treat his ailing mother.

One such opportunity was a run of the mill transport job of a crate of goods to Solace. Saving money by not purchasing a horse, he attempted to carry the load the entirety of the way on his own two soldiers for maximum profit. When taking a hilly pass he was hit by a bad storm, and nearly bit it when slipping from the precarious road. He was caught by a passing horseman and the crate was damaged in the process. The horseman led him to a sheltered spot but immediately drew his sword on Kynaston when he saw what he was carrying- contraband jewelry. The Horseman was in fact Sir Hurrick, Knight of the Sword; Kyne was forced to plea for his life. Believing Mr. Trench's story, Sir Hurrick obtained his agreement to lead him to the delivery point.

After a brief struggle at the dropoff point, Kynaston was reimbursed some by the knight and decided he had what it took for mercenary work. A couple difficult years of sending money back to his mother later, and he returned home to find her dead. She'd saved all he'd made and some more from tutoring young would-be mages before her death. Selling the home and taking the money, the now obligation-free Mr. Trench tracked down Sir Hurrick, now a Knight of the Rose, and convinced him to be his sponsor. For Sir Hurrick's part he was impressed with the young man's strength and willingness to co-operate, and put him to the test to become a Solamnic Knight. The trip was long and surprisingly uneventful.

Kyne failed the first time he attempted. This was not terribly rare, and he prepared himself for another attempt. Unfortunately a fire had broken out and killed his mentor. Unable to cope and decide what to do, Kyne set out for home as he was disqualified from another try at becoming a Knight of the Crown. Upon coming home, however, things had greatly changed...

EDIT: Of course this is all quite mutable, especially the clichéd background.

[Haahque]

My character is a little more complicated, and probably much more likely to be killed off at lvl 1.

Haahqae Male Gnome Chaotic Neutral? I usually let the DM decide what he thinks my alignment really is -> I role play more based on personality and motives.
Brown skin, white hair, purple eyes, short haired, bearded 3’3” 81lb 89 years old
0 XP (10% bonus from dex Thief) /0 XP (Illusionist)

Stats after racial adjustment:
Str 9
Dex 17
Con 9
Int 14
Wis 3
Cha 9

HP 5/5
THAC0 20 (+2 using missile from dex, -1 close range from mouse burglar, +2 unarmed from tumbling)
AC 5 (8 Leather – 3 Dex) (Piercing weapons get 2 better to hit me)

Saves:
Paralyze Poison Death 13 (rogue)
Rod Staff or Wand 11 (wizard) +2 gnome
Petrify/Polymorph 12 (rogue)
Breath Weapon 15 (wizard)
Spell 12 (wizard) +2 gnome
-3 magic defense, +1 vs. illusions

Weapon Proficiencies (rogue): 2, -3 penalty for using non-proficient weapon.
Short Bow, Sling

Non Weapon Proficiencies (Wizard): 4 + 4 (Int) + Rope Use from Mouse.
Appraising (1)
Read/Write(1)
Rope Use(Mouse)
Cantrips(1)
Juggling(1)
Reading Lips(2)
Spell craft(1)
Tumbling(1)
Languages: Common, Gnome, Dwarf, Kender

Spell Book: (I just rolled learning every spell on the wizard lvl 1 spell list that I could cast until I had successfully learned 9, I failed to learn a good number of other ones, does that matter?)
Read Magic, Audible Glamor, Change Self, Detect magic, Nystul’s Magic Aura, Gaze Reflection, Grease, Spider Climb, Identify

Spells I can prepare: 4 cantrips, 1 first level spell + 1 first level illusion spell

Thief Abilities:
Pick Pockets 25% (15% + 5% Dexterity + 5% No Armour)
Open Locks 40% (10% + 10% Level + 5% Gnome + 10% Dexterity + 5% Mouse)
Find/Rmv Traps 15% (5% + 10% Gnome)
Move Silently 55% (10% + 20% Level + 5% Gnome + 5% Gnome + 10% No Armour + 5% Mouse)
Hide 50% (5% + 30% Level + 5% Gnome + 5% Dexterity + 5% No Armour)
Detect Noise 25% (15% + 10% Gnome)
Climb Walls 55% (60% – 15% Gnome + 10% No Armour)
Read 0% (0%)

Initial "gold" aka steel: 2d6 * 10 = 110
Equipped Items: 22.9lb
Short Bow 2lb, 18 Sheaf Arrows 1.8lb, Sling 0.1lb, Thieves’ Picks 2lb, Component Bag (1 Steel to refill), Backpack 2lb, Leather Armour 7.5lb, Clothing 5lb, Quiver 1lb, 5 sling bullets 2.5lb.

Backpack: = 9.1lb
5 torches 5lb, Flint and Steel 0.1lb, 25ft Silk rope 4lb, 7 days rations

Money Left over: 25 steel, 55 copper
Total Weight: 32.0lb = not encumbered

*Note: Does Nystul’s Magic Aura allow you to mask the magic aura of an item by making the aura appear non-magical or does it only allow adding an aura of an item or changing the school of the aura on an item?

[JadedDM]

Just_Ice, everything about your character seems fine to me. Great roll on the starting money, by the way. Anyway, all I need now is his alignment, birthday, and maybe a brief description and personality. The description you can post in the new Character Description thread that just went up.

Haahqae, the Mouse Burglar kit should be fine; consider it approved. As for alignment, I can put him down for Chaotic Neutral for now, if you like. Players are not required to 'finalize' their alignment until around 3rd level or so, so you can change it something else before then without penalty.

I noticed you gave him a suit of leather armor. Does he actually wear it or keep it in his pack for emergencies? I ask because wearing it lowers his thief skills slightly; and also, naturally he can't cast spells while wearing it.

You are mistaken about the sling bullets. They actually weigh 1/2 pound each, so 115 of them would weigh 57 1/2 pounds!

My reading of Nystul's Magical Aura is that it allows you to add a fake aura to a non-magical item or change the aura of an item that is already magical. It doesn't outright say if you can or cannot hide an aura completely. That may be what Non-Detection is for, though, so probably not.

Anyway, beyond that, it looks good. All I really need is his birthday, and maybe a brief description of his appearance and personality, the former which can be posted in the Character Descriptions thread.

[Haahque]

Oh good catch on the bullets, I dropped it down to only having 5 bullets, so give me back 1 steel and 10 copper for a total of 25/55 respectively.

I saw it say that leather armour does not penalize thief skills like studded leather/padded/elven chain does, but I didn't see a column on the thief skill chart for leather, is it just +0% all skills?

As for if he wears it: I think it would be the opposite. He would regularly wear the leather armour, as it would make people think that he's more formidable a foe -> and it could help in most combat situations, while he would take it off to do thief and illusionist skills (both of which he doesn't really want to do in the presence of people who want to harm him, most of the time).

[JadedDM]

Yes, it's a little odd. The game assumes that wearing leather armor is the default. So if you take it off, some of your thief skills actually go up a bit. It portrays this as a 'no armor bonus.'

So basically, yeah, leather armor is at 0% modifiers.

[Haahque]

So I could send you my full character sheet, which includes all the information above, plus a number of calculated derived stats (Such as my hit chance and damage with a short bow/sling) plus my list of abilities from race/class/class options, plus my back story that I pm'd you and the description in the description thread all in 1 document.

Would you like me to do this? And if so, what's the best format to do it in? I can do .docx, .doc, .txt and .pdf pretty easily.

[JadedDM]

Sure, if you want to. I suppose a .docx would be best.

[Just_Ice]

How many does this put us up to? Five or six players?