PlanetADnD.com

Oh jeez, we got a true neutral. Are you enforcing 2E's "true neutral", Jaded?

mgbevan wrote: And 1d6 has given me 2 Hit Points,

Luckily enough for you, we're using maximum HP at level 1 this campaign. (Jaded should probably put that in the house rules section here as well).

EDIT: Jaded is also asking for your character to pick a birthday.

Oh jeez, we got a true neutral.

Looks like we've got ~two~ True Neutrals then, haha ^^ We will bring balance to all things!

Also I did have Coco special in martial arts, I didn't read particularly closely but that will negate the +4 to hit against her in a melee?

EDIT: Also Cestus, can't that be used in addition to regular punching/striking? I'd ask about in addition to martial arts but there are a lot of kicks/elbows.

I think the rules say you use the cestus damage instead of the punching/striking damage, but you get the %KO chance from the punch/strike you do. I'm not sure if you add your bonus to damage for specialization to the cestus... probably.

Ok so I am thinking one of two things.

Human warrior woman.

Or,

If you will allow, an elven ranger / cleric.

Just my ideas.

It's up to you what your decision is and it's never a bad thing having more fighters, especially if they pick up different archetypes/weapon groups. It would be cool to see a Gladiator/Berskerer/Beast-Rider/Cavalier/Samurai/Savage/Swash buckler.

I'm sure an elven ranger/cleric would be welcome. Of course, you'd have to follow Jaded's rules about clerical magic not working right now, and I'm not sure how he stands on ranger magic, but as it draws from the priest spell list, I imagine it'd follow cleric casting rules. It might be nice having someone who can track pretty well in the party. Furthermore, a cleric would fit well with the probable religion plot/subplot we're likely to have.

Re: True Neutral

This is a pretty basic example of what I consider True Neutral, let me know if there is a big difference. Although I do disagree with some of their assertions (such as the idea that surrendering would be dishonorable for a True Neutral, which is strange because it seems that such an action can be VERY practical), it is for the most part what I had in mind.

Just_Ice wrote:Oh jeez, we got a true neutral. Are you enforcing 2E's "true neutral", Jaded?

Hmm? I assume you mean the whole 'switching sides as soon as one side is weaker' thing?

To me, True Neutral simply means you are neither lawful or chaotic, or good or evil. True Neutral can be dedicated to 'balancing the forces' but it can also be about simply surviving (regular animals are TN, after all), as well.

Haahque wrote:Luckily enough for you, we're using maximum HP at level 1 this campaign. (Jaded should probably put that in the house rules section here as well).

That's correct. Is it not? *checks* Huh, how did I forget that? I'll add it now.

NoTrammeling wrote:Also I did have Coco special in martial arts, I didn't read particularly closely but that will negate the +4 to hit against her in a melee?

Sorry, it's been a long time since I had a player fight bare-handed. Where is the rule that says she suffers AC penalties for fighting in such a way?

Jenara wrote:If you will allow, an elven ranger / cleric.

I'd allow a cleric/ranger, yes. As Haaque points out, you wouldn't be able to use a ranger's divine abilities at first--but that's okay, because rangers don't receive any divine abilities until 7th level anyway, I think.

As for Gregeddin, just give me a moment to go over his character sheet, and I'll respond to that in a moment.

EDIT: Okay, mgbevan.

(First of all, you catch on fast!)

Regarding proficiencies, as a bard, you get Singing, Local History, Reading/Writing and Musical Instrument for free. You don't receive Chanting for free...unless you're taking some kind of kit?

Also, as a bard, you can take musical instruments for each slot you spend in that proficiency. Or you can choose to be really good at just one instrument (+2 to your checks). You wrote down "Zhang" for your instrument, but I have to admit I have no idea what that is.

Oh, and for your inventory, you don't have to buy your clothes; you start with those for free.

Beyond that, everything looks on track so far.

Gregeddin's birthday is the 19th of July.
Max Hitpoints would be 6 then?
Re Singing/Chanting - Ah ok, the thing I was reading said one of Singing/Chanting/Vocalizing came free, so I picked Chanting.
I'll just swap that around for singing. And I'll just stick with the free instrument. (description of Zhang at bottom)

True neutral seemed like the best choice looking from the list, but have a read and see what you think for his history.

A little back story to Gregeddin then...
He has grown up as the sole son of two professional servants, his mother and father providing good quality pampering at the various inns scattered on the nearby roads to Haven, including a small number within the city walls. Through a built up network of landlords providing passing accommodation to families, merchants or diplomats who don't quite reach the upper rungs of the social ladder - with an exception of a party giving their full time servants a break. His Father, Rye, and mother, Civila, have kept a solid reputation for their services treating guests well, and inns look to cash in on this to attract better paying clientele.
In his younger years, Gregeddin was exposed to a myriad of different people, and often left to play with the children of paying families, as children do. Exposure is the best teacher, and his tongue has definitely learned a few tricks over the years! Silly sounds to amuse children and swapping stories of foreign cultures. And that Elf girl, daughter of clients, pleasantries and niceties did nothing to catch the attention of this beauty. But then an idea struck him, the simple act of removing a decorative pin from her hair and planting it into her pocket aroused enough wonder from this girl to kindle this malevolent spark in his late teen years.
Now maturing, he brings little benefit to his parents, they would never say he was 'bad for business', but Gregeddin is perceptive enough to deduce this is the truth, and is now certain that his path now leads elsewhere.

Appearance
Tunic / Torso is light cream, as close to white as living conditions will allow for lesser folk. His breeches are dark green, the colour of wooded oak leaves while his soft boots are brown like the trunk. His posture is good, making the most of his available height. The Zhang he plays is a foreign string instrument, eleven metal wires over light coloured wood, where each strings pitch is altered by switch (akin to a harp) and/or wooden slider. This Zhang is smaller and playable either held in one hand propped on hip, or on a flat surface to display more complex melodies using both hands to pluck the strings.

Whoops, the instrument is actually meant to be spelled Zheng
one of these: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guzheng

Weapons In Nonlethal Combat
As you might expect, weapons have their place in nonlethal combat, whether a character is defending or pressing the attack.
Weapons in Defense: A character attempting to punch, wrestle, or overbear an armed opponent can do so only by placing himself at great risk. Making matters worse, an armed defender is automatically allowed to strike with his weapon before the unarmed attack is made, regardless of the initiative die roll. Furthermore, since his opponent must get very close, the defender gains a +4 bonus to his attack and damage rolls. If the attacker survives, he can then attempt his attack.
Those involved in a wrestling bout are limited to weapons of small size after the first round of combat--it's very difficult to use a sword against someone who is twisting your sword arm or clinging to your back, trying to break your neck. For this reason, nearly all characters will want to carry a dagger or knife.

A pretty big disincentive I looked through the fighterbook and priestbook a bit more thoroughly and see nothing which says specializing in unarmed combat negates this rather large penalty. I could be wrong though.

mgbevan wrote:Max Hitpoints would be 6 then?

That is correct.

mgbevan wrote:Whoops, the instrument is actually meant to be spelled Zheng
one of these: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guzheng

Aha! That's why I couldn't find it using Google. Okay, so basically it's a Chinese zither. That'll add 12 pounds to his encumbrance and cost 40 steel (gold) pieces.

Beyond that, all I need is his age and maybe a short blurb on his personality, and he'll be ready to go.

NoTrammeling wrote:A pretty big disincentive I looked through the fighterbook and priestbook a bit more thoroughly and see nothing which says specializing in unarmed combat negates this rather large penalty. I could be wrong though.

Hmm, I see. Well, it seems to me that that rule isn't for balance (obviously, bare-handed combat isn't overpowering) but more for realism (due to reach and such). So I don't see any problem with ignoring that penalty. Or at least changing it so that someone with proficiencies in punching, wrestling or martial arts isn't affected by it.

Yay!! ^^

I forgot to mention, but Horizon's character has been officially turned in.

Haven't heard from TheMightyQuinn lately. I'll see if I can track him down.

Anyway, we're fast approaching Saturday. I'm pretty excited about getting things started.

Something I wanted to ask, though--where does your character sleep? I'm going to begin the game with everyone waking up that morning to begin their respective days. A sort of 'day in the life of Haven' kind of thing. Presumably, Kynaston, Kendra and Gregeddin--being residents of Haven--have homes they live in. Khush, Coroccoco, and Haahqae most likely are staying somewhere temporary--probably an inn, unless they have friends/family to stay with or are wealthy enough to rent out a room at a private residence.

And the only inn left in the city with any room at all is the Steel Tankard. You can read more about it in the "Places and People" thread.

You could, theoretically, also sleep on the street. This is obviously very dangerous, though. There's nothing to stop any thug from cutting your throat or at the very least, taking all your stuff while you sleep.

In any case, the information I'm looking for is:

If you have your own place, a few words about it. Is it big, small? Spacious, cramped? In the good part of town, in the bad part of town? Do you live with anyone? Have you taken in any refugees (for free, or charging them for rent)?

If you're in a temporary place, like the Steel Tavern, how long have you been staying there?

If you are on the street, how are you avoiding the criminal elements? Where about in the city are you sleeping (there is a full city map in the "Places and People" thread.)

I'm away for the next few days so I'm not going to be ready for Saturday...