|
|
Post by reefwood on Oct 28, 2010 21:05:13 GMT -5
Day 27 - 4:15pm Sergeant Shaw then turned his attention to their one conscious prisoner. "You! Half-elf. What's your name?" [Waits for a reply] The weary half-elf stands up with a piece of breastplate in his hands. Having finished removing the last suit of armor from his fallen comrades. He hesitates to answer, but the glare from Sergeant Shaw pushes open his lips, "Private Yen'poh.""Well, Yen'poh, my men need to secure these buildings. If there are any unpleasant surprises waiting for us, we'd all benefit by you telling us now." The half-elf answers this time without hesitation, "There are no traps, if that's what you mean. At least none that we've set or come across... and no else who could fight back against your... might."[ OCC: Intimidate 32, Sense Motive 12 We can roll for the healing bursts at the next session because it would be too much to coordinate online.] PrisonersHalf-elves1 conscious (surrendered) 6 stable but unconscious (below 0 hp) 13 dead ( 5 skeletons) Gnomes3 conscious (1 dominated, 2 escaped) 1 dead (seagull) Boars1 conscious (w/ dominated gnome) 3 dead (3 skeletons)
Equipment3x Green Dragonscale Chainshirt Barding (Medium quadraped, 25 lb) -3 boar skeletons20x 15x MW Breastplate (25 lb) -5 half-elf skeletons20x 15x MW Buckler (5 lb) -5 half-elf skeletons20x 15x MW Longsword (4 lb) -5 half-elf skeletons20x 15x MW Composite Longbow [Str +2] (3 lb) -5 half-elf skeletons20x 15x MW Ranseur (12 lb) -5 half-elf skeletons20x 15x Backpack (2 lb) -5 half-elf skeletons20x 15x quivers (1 lb, each holds 20 arrows) -5 half-elf skeletons1075x Arrows (0.1 lb each) 20x potion of cure moderate wounds [2d8+3] - (0.1 lb) 17x 16x potion of cure light wounds [1d8+1] - (0.1 lb) -1 Boho20x potion of shield of faith [+2 deflection for 2 minutes] - (0.1 lb) 17x tanglefoot bag (4 lb) 20x thunderstone (1 lb) Additionally...unless you kept track of all your arrows fired...each Archer Ranger at the dock must deduct 10 arrows from his total (which should bring their total down to 10), and each Fighter (Swordsman or Bodyguard) must deduct 5 arrows from his total (which should bring the Swordsman to 25 and Bodyguard to 35). I don't think any of the PCs used arrows, and I know these numbers aren't exact, but it seems like the best way to guesstimate arrow usage. I used a similar method for the enemy NPCs, and there are plenty of arrows left to take from them.
|
|
|
|
Post by michael on Oct 28, 2010 21:48:26 GMT -5
"We'll soon find out.
Corporal! You head up searching the buildings. Send the gnome in first, and have her report back. If she says it's unoccupied, send in the undead to sweep through. With luck, they'll set off any traps. After the skeletons, send in the privates for a thorough search.
Start farthest from the dock and work your way towards the lighthouse.
If you find anyone, come and get me."
|
|
|
|
Post by Rabbit on Nov 1, 2010 13:24:09 GMT -5
As he rode back towards the battleground at the dock, Brion confided his first officer. They'd served together for less than two weeks, but they were men of Gorum, and this was their element; the bonds formed through combat formed fast, and strong. "Quite the invigorating afternoon, eh Sahme? Days of haggling over mineral rights, planning banquets, being led through the swamp with bags over our heads for cloak and dagger nonsense... I can't tell you how relieved I am to finally have a problem solved with blood and steel." "This was a good skirmish, aye." Sahme says as he walks beside his mounted commanding officer. The sorcerer's tone betrays that he is hesitant in his cheer. "I only wish that we had pinned down those two little ones. I had them within my claws, but I let them escape. I feel like a house cat outwitted by mice... two mice who can swim through earth and call upon lightning." Sahme lets his last thought go without saying. They will be back.Residing to spending the rest of his time brooding in silence Sahme follows orders as they work to secure the Dragon Docks. |
|
|
|
Post by reefwood on Nov 1, 2010 15:44:35 GMT -5
"We'll soon find out. Corporal! You head up searching the buildings. Send the gnome in first, and have her report back. If she says it's unoccupied, send in the undead to sweep through. With luck, they'll set off any traps. After the skeletons, send in the privates for a thorough search. [ OOC: Not that Sergeant Shaw would necessarily know this, but undead are pretty limited in what they can do, especially under the control of this spell: "The undead can be made to follow you, or they can be made to remain in an area and attack any creature (or just a specific kind of creature) entering the place."The skeletons will follow Nimarious into the buildings if commanded, and once in a building, they can be left there to attack any creature that enters the building (or just gnomes, or just half-elves), but they can't search or really go anywhere without Nimarious leading the way. Whereas, mindless undead not under any control would be more apt to wander around and be evil on their own. Also, there is the rule that these controlled undead can be commanded to attack just a specific kind of creature, but how they have the ability to do this is totally vague, and since they are mindless, I'm going to say that they follow pretty broad and obvious criteria. For example, telling a skeleton under this spell to attack orcs...it would attack anything that is obviously an orc and may attack very orcish looking half-orcs too (if it's not already stated, I would probably make a random 50/50 roll to determine if a half-orc looks one way or the other), but they may not attack an orc that has its features covered up in some way (i.e. makeup, hood up, etc). In an earlier session, I said that the skeletons would avoid attacking Nemedorans if they all wear the same distinct item, but I'm feeling like that was error on my part. It doesn't seem like they would have the ability to understand that kind of inverse command. They can be commanded to "attack a specific kind of creature" but that isn't the same as "attack everything except for a specific kind of creature." The latter seems much harder and too complicated for them to understand. Therefore, you could command the skeletons to only attack orcs, but you couldn't command them to attack everything except orcs. And along those same lines, you can't command them to attack everyone except those wearing red armbands. After making my initial ruling, I also realized that the armband idea would not protect the horses, and it would be tricky to note this detail for the NPCs cos I've never given too much thought to such specific clothing items, so maybe some of the ones you come across are also wearing red and would not be attacked by the skeletons as a result of this idea. Anyway, I apologize for the error, but the armband idea is out. The skeletons will attack everything in an area, or only one kind of creature in the area, but they can't attack everything except for only one kind of creature.] |
|
|
|
Post by reefwood on Nov 3, 2010 3:21:16 GMT -5
Income, Spoils, Final ScoreDay 27 - Gala at the embassy Day 28 - Nemedoran unit heads out & takes the Dragon Dock from Ionese troops Day 29 Day 30 - Earth elementals attack at night Day 31 Day 32 Day 33 - Nemedoran sailors and soldiers arrive
IncomeEach PC and NPC receives 7 days of income for this chapter. [ Character level x5] + Profession (military) modifier = daily wage in gp9th-level PCs:[9x5] + Profession (military) modifier = daily wage in gp x7 days = Ch. 10 income 5th-level NPCs:[5x5] + Profession (military) modifier = daily wage in gp x7 days = Ch. 10 income 4th-level NPCs (Bodyguard):[4x5] + Profession (military) modifier = daily wage in gp x7 days = Ch. 10 income
SpoilsThese are the items taken off the gnomes. Most are Small in size, but the wondrous items can re-size between Small to Large. 3x +1 Dragonhide Breastplate [green] (15 lb, Small) 3x +1 Darkwood Shield (2.5 lb, Small) 3x Headband of wisdom +1 (1 lb, Small to Large) 3x Cloak of resistance +1 (1 lb, Small to Large) 3x Spell Pouch (2 lb) 3x Satchel (0.5 lb, Small) These are the spoils found on the boars and half-elves: 3x Green Dragonscale Chainshirt Barding (Medium quadraped, 25 lb) -3 boar skeletons20x 15x MW Breastplate (25 lb) -5 half-elf skeletons20x 15x MW Buckler (5 lb) -5 half-elf skeletons20x 15x MW Longsword (4 lb) -5 half-elf skeletons20x 15x MW Composite Longbow [Str +2] (3 lb) -5 half-elf skeletons20x 12x MW Ranseur (12 lb) -5 half-elf skeletons, -1 Vargas, -1 Fighter #1, -1 Boho20x 15x Backpack (2 lb) -5 half-elf skeletons20x 10x quivers (1 lb, each holds 20 arrows) -5 half-elf skeletons, -1 Vargas, -1 Hunter, -1 Boho, -1 Paulson, -1 Bodyguard1075x 975 Arrows (0.1 lb each) -20 Vargas, -20 Hunter, -20 Boho, -20 Paulson, -20 Bodyguard20x potion of cure moderate wounds [2d8+3] - (0.1 lb) -3 Vargas, -3 Hunter, -2 Sahme, -3 Boho, -3 Paulson, -3 Nim, -3 Bodyguard17x potion of cure light wounds [1d8+1] - (0.1 lb) -1 Boho; -2 Vargas, -3 Hunter, -2 Boho, -3 Paulson, -3 Nim, -3 Bodyguard20x potion of shield of faith [+2 deflection for 2 minutes] - (0.1 lb) -4 Vargas, -4 Hunter, -4 Boho, -4 Paulson, -4 Bodyguard 17x tanglefoot bag (4 lb) 20x thunderstone (1 lb)
Final ScoreThis is how mission points were scored, and below the list of 4 categories is the actual final score. Neutralize Enemy (60 pts)Gnome: 5 pts x4 = 20 pts Half-elf: 2 pts x20 = 40 pts Control (30 pts)Control dock: 20 pts Control ship: 10 pts Receive Allies (60 pts)Sailors: 1 pt x24 = 24 pts Soldiers: 1 pt x36 = 36 pts Penalties from Death (-77 pts)PC: -9 pts x3 = -27 pts NPC Archer: -5 pts x2 = -10 pts NPC Mage: -5 pts x1 = -5 pts NPC Swordsman: -5 pts x3 = -15 pts NPC Bodyguard: -4 pts x1 = -4 pts Warsteed: -2 pts x8 = -16 pts Final Score:Neutralize 60 pts + Control 30 pts + Receive 60 pts -0 Penalties = 150 pts -> Superb ratingSuperb = 5 Advancement Points to each PCs Brion Shaw: 3 APs +5 APs = 8 APsSahme Sweetwater: 3 APs +5 APs = 8 APsNimarious Steerhelm: 0 APs +5 APs = 5 APs4 APs are necessary to level up, so each PC has enough to reach 10th-level, if they choose: 8 APs rewards 125% of the standard wealth increase (+20,000 gp) 5 APs rewards 75% of the standard wealth increase (+12,000 gp) When a level is gained, APs reset to 0. Also, PCs are able to level up after 2 chapters, even if they don't earn enough APs, and this is because the challenge automatically increases every other level. This was the second 9th-level chapter, so the next chapter will be based on 10th-level PCs, regardless of their actual level.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rabbit on Nov 3, 2010 11:45:04 GMT -5
Penalties from Death (-77 pts)PC: -9 pts x3 = -27 pts NPC Archer: -5 pts x2 = -10 pts NPC Mage: -5 pts x1 = -5 pts NPC Swordsman: -5 pts x3 = -15 pts NPC Bodyguard: -4 pts x1 = -4 pts Warsteed: -2 pts x8 = -16 pts *** Brion Shaw: 3 APs +5 APs = 8 APsSahme Sweetwater: 3 APs +5 APs = 8 APsNimarious Steerhelm: 0 APs +5 APs = 5 APs Can you explane these two parts? |
|
|
|
Post by reefwood on Nov 3, 2010 11:57:09 GMT -5
Re: Penalties from Death and APsPenalties from Death (-77 pts)PC: -9 pts x3 = -27 pts NPC Archer: -5 pts x2 = -10 pts NPC Mage: -5 pts x1 = -5 pts NPC Swordsman: -5 pts x3 = -15 pts NPC Bodyguard: -4 pts x1 = -4 pts Warsteed: -2 pts x8 = -16 pts *** Brion Shaw: 3 APs +5 APs = 8 APsSahme Sweetwater: 3 APs +5 APs = 8 APsNimarious Steerhelm: 0 APs +5 APs = 5 APs Can you explane these two parts? Penalties from Death lower your final score. If any of the Nemedoran died, it would have lowered your final score. But even if a bunch of you died, if you were otherwise successful at achieving your goals, you still would had a pretty good score. However, everyone survived, so there were no penalties for this chapter. Advancement Points (APs) are earned at the end of each Chapter and allow you to level up and earn rewards based on mission success. Sahme earned 3 APs in Chapter 9 from a Good rating, and he earned 5 APs in Chapter 10 for a Superb rating. You can read the full rules for them in the Misc Info post of the Officers Academy thread.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rabbit on Nov 3, 2010 13:21:48 GMT -5
Re: Penalties from Death and APsCan you explane these two parts? Penalties from Death lower your final score. If any of the Nemedoran died, it would have lowered your final score. But even if a bunch of you died, if you were otherwise successful at achieving your goals, you still would had a pretty good score. However, everyone survived, so there were no penalties for this chapter. Advancement Points (APs) are earned at the end of each Chapter and allow you to level up and earn rewards based on mission success. Sahme earned 3 APs in Chapter 9 from a Good rating, and he earned 5 APs in Chapter 10 for a Superb rating. You can read the full rules for them in the Misc Info post of the Officers Academy thread. So just to be clear. The death penalty as listed above is what points could have been lost. Not actual points depucted? |
|
|
|
Post by reefwood on Nov 3, 2010 13:39:57 GMT -5
Re: Penalties from Death and APsRe: Penalties from Death and APsPenalties from Death lower your final score. If any of the Nemedoran died, it would have lowered your final score. But even if a bunch of you died, if you were otherwise successful at achieving your goals, you still would had a pretty good score. However, everyone survived, so there were no penalties for this chapter. Advancement Points (APs) are earned at the end of each Chapter and allow you to level up and earn rewards based on mission success. Sahme earned 3 APs in Chapter 9 from a Good rating, and he earned 5 APs in Chapter 10 for a Superb rating. You can read the full rules for them in the Misc Info post of the Officers Academy thread. So just to be clear. The death penalty as listed above is what points could have been lost. Not actual points depucted? Correct. The final score tallies up the mission points that were actually scored.
|
|
|
|
Post by reefwood on Nov 3, 2010 14:12:05 GMT -5
I forgot to include the income for Chapter 10 in the recap post above, but it has now been added. Everyone receives 7 days of income for this mission.
|
|
|
|
Post by michael on Nov 3, 2010 19:24:41 GMT -5
Well, my vote is definitely for leveling up. It seems a bit pointless for us to wait, given Sahme and Brion are at 8 AP, and there's a cap at 10. Since our rewards packages will be higher than Nimareous', perhaps we can buy some of his onyx gems for him?
|
|
|
|
Post by reefwood on Nov 5, 2010 12:51:55 GMT -5
Well, my vote is definitely for leveling up. It seems a bit pointless for us to wait, given Sahme and Brion are at 8 AP, and there's a cap at 10. Since our rewards packages will be higher than Nimareous', perhaps we can buy some of his onyx gems for him? It's totally up to you if you want to level up. One PC can level up even if the others don't. I know it might seem funny to have PCs at different levels, but if one of you misses a chapter - which could easily happen due to holidays or just general scheduling conflicts - you could be back in this same boat again anyway. I did want everyone together for icnivad's return to War Stories, but I also want to return to the original framework of it being okay to not have all the PCs on every mission if someone can't make it. Of course, I prefer to have everyone playing, but I know scheduling can be tricky sometimes, so I want this campaign be on the more flexible side. And if someone does miss a Chapter, I will give preference to their availability for the next one. Anyway, if anyone decides to level up, just let me know, and I'll get a rewards package out to you. |
|
|
|
Post by michael on Nov 5, 2010 16:26:19 GMT -5
I'm going to level up.
|
|
|
|
Post by reefwood on Nov 8, 2010 16:20:01 GMT -5
Time OffDue to the superb performance at Dragon Dock, your squad will receive 5 days off. There are certain things that Time Off does and does not mean: - Time off begins on the day after the most recent chapter ends, and the next chapter starts on the day after time off ends. (Chapter 10 ended on Day 33. The five days off will be Day 34, 35, 36, 37, 38. Chapter 11 will begin on Day 39.)
- Income earned during time off is paid at the end of each day. However, you must have access to the main army from your location or be able to reach an access point. Income that is not paid out will be held and paid in full when the next opportunity arises. (New Briar is the nearest access point. Specialist Ni teleports to the main army and back at the end of each day.)
- This does NOT mean that your squad is doing nothing. They are still on duty and performing tasks for the army. (The current task is to escort 30 soldiers from Dragon Dock to New Briar. More on this below.)
- This DOES mean that you will have some free time. There are 24 hours in a day, and certain minimums must be met each day: 8 hrs on duty, a full night's rest, and preparation time (spells, etc). Any remaining time may be used as you wish, but standard time restrictions on activity still apply (can only craft up to 8 hrs per day).
- This DOES mean that no serious ill will befall your squad. You may be involved in battle during time off but nothing that needs to be played out. However, you may start the next chapter with minor effects from battle (hit point damage, fatigue, etc) but nothing major (ability damage, exhausted, etc).
- This DOES mean that items may be obtained, created, or upgraded. However, you must have access to the main army from your location or be able to reach an access point. (New Briar is the nearest access point. Specialist Ni teleports to the main army at the end of each day.)
- This does NOT mean that your squad is allowed to change location automatically. If you wish to change location, and it is a reasonable move, we will figure out how you can move and how long it takes. Also, you will be limited to traveling during the 12 daylight hours of 7am to 7pm. (You are currently at Dragon Dock.)
Time off will usually be a fairly simple process. It will get more involved if you want or need to change location. It may get more involved if you want to obtain special material items from the army. It may get more involved if you want to obtain, create, or upgrade items before you level up. It will likely vary for each PC. The amounts of free time on a typical day during time off are currently: Brion: 24 hrs - (8 hrs duty +8 hrs rest +1 hr spell prep) = 24 -17 hrs = 7 hrs free time Nimarious: 24 hrs - (8 hrs duty +2 hrs rest +1 hr spell prep) = 24 -11 hrs = 13 hrs free time Sahme: 24 hrs - (8 hrs duty +8 hrs rest +15 min spell prep) = 24 -16 hrs, 15 min = 7 hrs, 45 min free time
Current TaskThe current task for the PC squad is to escort 30 soldiers from Dragon Dock to New Briar. Here are the numbers: - The distance to be covered is 30 miles.
- The soldiers have a speed of 30 ft and march at 3 mi/hr.
- The soldiers can march the full distance in 10 hrs, so this can be completed in 1 day. You can opt to only work the minimum of 8 hrs of duty in a day. This would require camping out and spread the march over 2 days.
- A minimum of character levels equal to half the squad will be required to safely escort the soldiers. Everyone is leveling up, which means 30 levels from PCs and 35 levels from NPCs for a total of 65 levels for the squad. Half is 32.5, so rounding down, the squad will need to assign at least 32 character levels to the escort. Warsteeds and skeletons are not included in this equation.
- Skeletons will not be welcome in New Briar, and the presence of Ionese troops turned into skeletons would be obvious and offensive to those in New Briar. Stripping the skeletons of their Ionese equipment would make them unrecognizable as Ionese troops.
- Those who are not part of the escort will assist in guarding Dragon Dock.
Obtaining new items through a reward package is guaranteed because your task will take you to an access point, and the squad will regroup by the start of the next chapter. Creating new items with a previously unused equipment line can begin on the first day of time off because an order can be put in immediately by using an amulet of sending to contact the main army. Upgrading current items can begin the day after an access point is reached. You will be without these items while they are upgraded, and this could affect the success of other tasks performed during this time. If the escort reaches New Briar at the end of Day 34, you will have 4 days of upgrade time before the next chapter. This means you can upgrade an item by up to +4,000 gp and have it ready for the start of the next chapter. You may upgrade an item by a larger amount, but this means it won't be ready for the start of the next chapter, so you will have to #1) go without it, or #2) ruin the progress to get it back early without the upgrade, and this means being at an access point, or #3) spend mission time waiting for the upgrade to complete and be at an access point to receive it. However, #2 and #3 may not always be an option, so always be ready to accept #1. The minimum amount info that I need from players is the list of soldiers assigned to the escort. New items from reward packages will be ordered and obtained at the end of the day that the escort reaches New Briar. Unless instructed otherwise, the escort will go to New Briar on Day 34 and return to Dragon Dock on Day 35.
|
|
|
|
Post by reefwood on Nov 10, 2010 14:11:35 GMT -5
TO DO:
This is a list of changes to the squad that are happening online. A reminder to apply these things, if you wish, before the next session.
1) Add a MW Ranseur (2d4, 20/x3, Piercing; disarm, reach; 12 lbs) from spoils to PFC Boho, Vargas, and Fighter 1... and perhaps discard any previous reach weapon to lessen load? Bodyguard already has a masterwork reach weapon, but he can take one too.
2) Distribute 7 suits of MW Studded Leather Barding (+3 AC, +5 Max Dex, –0 ACP, 40 lbs) among the 9 Heavy Warsteeds. This means that 2 of the mounts will not have barding unless someone else obtains 2 more.
I will add these items on my end too and can provide updated character sheets to anyone who wants them.
Also, I have updated the list of spoils to reflect these changes and those that took place in the last session. This updated list is in the Income, Spoils, Final Score post above.
|
|
Sergeant Shaw then turned his attention to their one conscious prisoner. "You! Half-elf. What's your name?" [Waits for a reply]
