/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal

>>179444
Mala shakes his head
"That 'Friendship School' was a political show

He tilts his head
"Honorable warriors? Proud Hunter-scavangers. That's nice of them. I don't actually know where I was born. My mother said I was born in Zebrica. I guess that means I was, though she would lie about other things. I don't know why she'd lie about that though. For some reason I think I remember hills with grass, but I don't know if that was actually in Zebrica, or if I just have an idea of Zebrica, and that's what I see. All of my memories, all of my other memories, are in Baltimare. This is the furthest I've ever gone from there. The furthest by far..."

>>179445
Kira: "Well, political show or not, it would have meant ponies would know about us and that we're honestly not bad creatures." Kira feels compelled to give Mala some more pets at other statements. "Grassy hills sounds right. Grassy hills of yellow tall grass, red rocks, acacia trees standing tall and providing shade and shelter, rivers cutting paths across the landscape lined with reeds and lily pads, muddy watering holes gathering rain water where the animals of the savanna gather to drink, mounds where vast colonies of termites make their home...sigh..."

>>179443
I work as an undead killer too. In fact, I can kill undead more efficiently than anything else.
Undead probably aren't going to appear in this adventure, but if we ever encounter a dragon zombie or a collosal skeleton, leave it to me.
>Silver: "Of course, our primary objectives always take priority, but planning out potential side objectives now rather than in thick of it could be useful."
"The ship is not the property of our commissioner, and this is disturbed territory. Any treasures aboard the ship itself are legitimate spoils. The ship itself won't be unguarded, so we should prioritize bringing the Marines to safety before we mess around."
>>179445
"You should really stop by the temple some time. I think the priest there would be more than willing to educate you on your culture. Their temple has seen a miracle lately, and they'll have reasons to be in high spirits, with plenty of fanaticism to go around..."

>>179447
>but if we ever encounter a dragon zombie or a collosal skeleton, leave it to me.
I bet I can kill it before you nerd.

>realize just now that I could have brought the disguised ghast with me as an aquatic scout
>realize that I could have given it a share of the reward
Eh, too risky for the party finding out. I'll just let it babysit my child instead.

>>179446
Mala lifts his head up and wags his tail
"Have you seen it?!"

>>179447
"Oh, I haven't been to temple since, well, since before my mom died. And that was 10 years ago. I don't know if I want to go back into Kaftar culture. I was around Crocuta much of the last few years. They weren't as nice as Silver Sword here. Silver Sword seems to think I can become like the ponies. I don't know if that's true, but I know that if I were a pony, I would be happy. I have seen fanaticism before. It didn't quite work out for me."

>>179449
lol, you mean the .5 cohort share?

>>179448
Let them fight

>>179448
Best me in initiative, zigger.
Rolling to wink at Dust
[1d20+8 = (14+8) = 22]

>>179450
Kira nods, and smiles at the gnoll. Silver also gives Mala pets at his reply to Posey.

Kira: "Yeah, that's where I'm from, where my tribe's from. All lamias are in Zebrica, I think. Well, almost all, except for me, I'm in Equestria now. Over Equestria now? Air travel is weird. But yeah, I've lived my whole life there, and that memory of yours sounds pretty accurate to how Zebrica actually is."

>>179451
Muh build
>tfw +0 to initiative
Dust simply scroonches in response, this hornhead is weird

>>179453
Do you have Zen Archery?
Clerics make the best ranged fighters. It would go well with guns since you don't need Str.

>>179454
No, he's mostly melee with a sling for backup.
Feats:
Weapon Proficiecny (Heavy Flail)
Weapon Focus (Heavy Flail)
Power Attack
Holy Potency
Sacred Vengeance

>>179455
Cool. Flails are underrated. Pick up Holy Warrior later.

>>179428
Relevant:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vulJTr8u2gc [Embed]

>>179436
"I don't mind it being dangerous... Just working is dangerous. Or not making the right creatures happy... But uh, I'm able to eat a lot of things that would be dangerous to others, but uh, I guess I won't eat the berries... Being able to eat berries that grew on shrubs seemed nice though..."

>>179451
>+8 to Initiative
Another thing to mark

>>179452
"Oh, nice" He smiles, or tries to. His teeth are kind of round, sharper towards the front, and in a few instances visibly chipped or black.

"Maybe I have been to Zebrica afterall. I had thought I had never been out of Baltimare until well, today. I could do without another plane ride, though."

>>179457
The UK is the worst about it. I will just pack my shampoos and whatever separately if I know I'm going through Heathrow.

>>179458
That's not initiative. That's a seduction roll.

>>179459
Oh. Oh. Oh....
uwu

>>179460
>>179459
>the zombie hunter ends up with the necrussy
Hm

>>179458
+8 to Initiative isn't out of the realm of possibility though. 18 Dexterity combined with the Improved Initiative feat would provide a +8 bonus.

It's a very handsome smile from a very handsome boy.

Kira: "I don't know, it's not so bad. I like it better than being on a boat, what with all of the slooshing and sloshing to and fro all day every day. But yeah, I'll take you out camping sometime if you wanted! You can eat some of the berries that grow on shrubs and bushes, you just need to know which ones are safe to eat and which ones aren't. The ones that aren't could do anything from making you need to 'go' constantly, making you hallucinate, to just poisoning you. I can tell you which ones are safe, I'm pretty good with surviving out in the wilds."

>>179461
Really makes you think...

>>179461
Huh, Maybe Defiant Dust really can find and slay the vampire, minus the "s."

>>179462
Mala continues to smile, though now not showing his teeth.

"How uh, how long have you been around ponies?" He asks

>>179463
Kira: "Well, counting today...two days! Ponies seem nice, and they're very huggable, like I just want to scoop up a whole bunch of them in my coils and hug them all at once. Again, I wish fewer ponies would run or hide at the sight of me, though."

>>179464
"Oh. Well, the running and hiding is about what I would have expected... what about other creatures? Like zebras or... what do they have over there? Hippogriffs?"

>>179465
Kira: "Hippogriffs are a bit far away still, they're basically on the opposite end of Zebrica from my tribe. It's unfortunate, I'd like to see one someday. Mostly it's zebras, they're alright but the history our peoples have with each other can make for some awkward moments. Griffons are...I'll get back to that. Occasionally we'll see a giraffe or a deer, and very rarely we'll see a kirin. Kirins are neat."

Meanwhile, back at the house
Gloomy attempts to bind the horned wolf, working hard with his Crayola implements
(Give him a break, he is very young, and he has no horn)
Binding check: (he can only succeed on a 20)
[1d20+5 = (20+5) = 25]

>>179467
>he can only succeed on a 20
>rolls a nat 20
This better not result in any harm to the Sword household

179467
Wtf, the little shid' did it. He bound the most difficult lvl 1 vestige, and he didn't even become possessed.
Posey always knew he was a genius.

>>179468
Gloomy is in full control. He can now breath fire, see in the dark and grow ram horns, as he inherits the powers of the disgraced Somnambulan god of light and justice.
Had he failed, this might have happened:
>Influence: Amon's influence makes you surly and irritable. In addition, since Amon despises living deities of fire, sun, and law, he forces you to resist even beneficial spells cast by those devoted to such powers. You must make a saving throw to resist such a spell if one is allowed; failure allows you to gain the benefit.
Becoming possessed by Amon makes you angry and hate Celestia, but Gloomy didn't become possessed because he's a genius!

>>179471
It will be fine (probably)

>>179466
"Do uh..." He freezes right there, and pauses for a while before asking a different question.

"Why would you want to see a hippogriff?"

>>179473
Kira: "The sound neat! A bit like a cross between a pony and a griffon, right? You know, beaks and front talons of a griffon, but the rear legs and hindquarters of a pony? I heard a rumor from a cousin of mine that they have the magical ability to transform themselves into these other creatures called 'sea ponies', but that can't be real, can it?"

>>179474
"I know what a hippogriff is." He says. "I've heard of hippogriffs transforming... I've never seen it. I think you may be thinking of changelings."

>>179467
>Manifestation: Amon manifests in a burst of black smoke, howling foul curses at his summoner. He possesses a black wolf's body with a ram's head and a serpent for a tail. His mouth is filled with sharp teeth, and fire escapes it when he speaks.
Gloomy shakes the silly dogs paw, and it howls before it disappears in a puff of smoke.

>>179475
Kira: "We don't have any changelings in Zebrica. Silver's told me a bit about them on these plane rides. They sound...kinda creepy. I wonder if one could shapeshift into a lamia."

>>179477
"They are, yes. I don't think one could shapeshift into a uh... a you. You're too big. Well, maybe a really big one could, or a powerful one."

>>179478
Kira: "Like one of their queens? Like Chrizy...Chrysler...Chrysanthemum..."

Silver: "Chrysalis."

Kira: "Yeah, that one!"

>>179479
"Uh... probably"

>>179433
>Consider Shadowbane Inquisitor.
I'll give it a look once I catch up to things. I'd appreciate the help. It's been a VERY long time since I last played 3.5.

>>179438
>You don't need to be doing that unless if you really want to. I can't write up a summary right now but if you'd like one, then you can continue just from the last few posts which you may prefer. If you do massive catch-ups not only does it take more time but the amount of effort might turn you off from playing, since it will seem more obligatory and not for fun.
I'd love to have a faster way to get caught up, but I've still got the specific catch-up posts from last week to get down into my notes. I've been in a campaign where I kept having to skip 95% of it and just get summaries, and it was a very unpleasant experience. Failure to keep up feels pretty terrible.

While I don't know how much effort it will take to catch up such that I don't collapse and become unable to keep up, not being able to understand what's going on when I read conversations means that by the time I figure out what's happening and where we are, we'll have changed already and I have to do that work all over again.

I have very strongly wanted to play D&D again for close to a decade, so I'm not going to pass this chance up.

I'm here now because my attention is fragmenting after reading up on the history. I have no idea what happens after the Equestria At War timeline starts, but I've at least got a rough grounding on different Pony countries, that Changelings are a thing that is also a country, and that the Griffin situation is complicated. I assume this will be covered once I get to those older summary posts I mentioned.

This time spent reading up on the posts from my "hello again" post and make replies to people while reading through and trying to understand every post now inside an ongoing conversation is to make sure that I'm not forgotten. Then I'll probably have to go to sleep and spend tomorrow trying to read up on last week's post. There are at least a few posts I need to get, and then copy into my notes so that I can re-read them as necessary.

The right way to record and organize the game related stuff isn't something I have a lot of practice with lately, so I'm trying a little of everything at once, not really being sure what I'm doing. How is everyone else managing their notes? [Pic Related]

>>179481
To be honest, I've always been really bad at notetaking. Usually I end up just relying on remembering stuff.

>>179440
>I think you have a wide array
I'm not sure I follow. Do you mean Paladins being dependent on multiple attributes? Yeah. I was hoping to go heavy DPS, with some specific flavour elements, but not knowing how much attention I'd be getting, and knowing that I was probably going to miss my Smite uses if I used them, I had to sacrifice most of my character concept to focus on filling a small role.

If I'm going Dex Tank, then I could probably avoid being complete crap with a ranged weapon.

>>179443
Oh, right, me too. I heard the group needed a frontliner, and a bit of healing. I had some fun the one time I played a paladin for a couple of sessions. Knew my role in the group, and had a simple martial class with a handful of tricks. It was better than being a Warlock (2 spell slots, but they recharge on a short rest) when the party only ever did long rests, negating my utility entirely.

The class feature sword also counts as a magic weapon, which is generally handy for various monsters. Otherwise, it's canon that it looks really cool, and I can phase it in and out of existence. I'm imagining a kind of transformation sequence in my head whenever I pull it out.

>>179441
No? And he's not an ascetic.

>>179451
>>179459
I was going to say, if it was initiative it would be ridiculous…

>>179458
>in a few instances visibly chipped or black
Needs a visit to the dentist.

>>179467
>>179470
You do not want to tick off a colt with those powers.

>>179473
>>179474
Cavaliere butts into the conversation. "You might find it a little difficult to meet a hippogriff. They have only one country to themselves–the Kingdom of Aris–and that is at war with New Mareland. As far as I can tell, their navy poses the greatest threat to our employer's naval dominance and were we to meet a hippogriff right now he would not be eager to shake claws with us."

>>179481
That's pretty well organized. I just have a physical character sheet and a .rtf document for each character. I don't really keep track of other party members and I leave that up to their players and the DM. I do have sections for inventory (starting and current), past, ongoing and possible quests, places that have been visited, and met NPCs.
>>179483
I like your concept, but be careful of being too much of a jack of all trades, master of none in combat. Silver has been able to make it work with both his signature melee weapon and whatever guns he comes across, but he also doesn't have to worry about smites or healing.

Progress on reading through the summary posts is very slow. I'm going to swap gears for a bit.

We were talking about equipment and armaments earlier. Would it make sense for Ten to have a carbine (cut-down rifle for easier transport)?

>>179485
>I like your concept, but be careful of being too much of a jack of all trades, master of none in combat.
Maybe I should start with character concept first again?

The group needed a frontliner melee.
The idea that I play a bat pony Luna worshipper was fun. The Luna worshipper was because that was the Cultural factor I was able to grasp, and it gives roleplay possibilities.
The light armour is because I can't fly with medium armour, and why have wings if I'm not going to be able to fly? There's a worry in me that I won't be able to get to the enemies in heavy armour before they get taken out by volleys of gunfire.
The way the magic sword class feature works, combined with the Paladin class, combined with what I heard of the paladin faction semi-disbanding after a war that had high casualties for them, works for me on a conceptual level. I have a few different ideas I think I might be able to use for backstory and a skillset.

I think I used to build characters at different levels for fun, using the Standard Array. Just out of the base pathfinder system or the PHB.

My feats are Power Attack, Awesome Smite, and Cleave. I originally wanted to get 18 Str and be a melee monster with good saves and a magic trick or two, but wanting to not waste the very expensive flight ability while in heavy armour re-made my build.

Ultimately, I want to keep the Luna worshipper paladin idea with a magic sword and some magic tricks, and I think we need a melee character. But I don't know how important or generally relevant ranged combat is going to be in this game, so I'll be flexible to character ideas.

Disclaimer:
The following RP group are a bunch of autistic spergs.
>>179486
I think its a perfectly acceptable build. Brie is a dps/melee stealth/skill build. He'll get worked over if he has to tank, but if theres an ally or two in the mix to grant/gain flanking and shit, and it'll be a bloodbath.

Maxed out ranks for his level (which somehow posey has higher ranks in) in stealth, hiding, locks, devices/traps, etc. Uses ranged, but only when he cant stab.

>>179486
If you don't know what you're doing for ranged, always default to a sling. It's a "kids toy" so it can fit with any background, does dagger-damage, has a 50' range increment (so -2 to 100', -4 for 150', etc), and uses mundane ammo that can be assumed to be gathered autonomously.
Beyond that it can get complicated, depending on your preferences

Brie emerges from the disappointingly cramped bathroom tricked out to the nines in probably the most sophisticated set of light armor any pony present has ever seen. Overlapping segments of treated and supple leathers and fabrics in a variety of patterns to give long-distance camoflage, it is an amalgamation of form and function, for the intrepid stealth assassin. Its statistically masterwork studded leather, but its the coolest set of masterwork studded leather (you)'ve ever seen.
His face remains exposed, painted in a digital camo pattern, a largely hardshell helmet/mask hangs from his utility belt. On his belt are two very fine blades, and small rings stick out from under his armor plates, suggesting an array of throwing knives.

>>179485
>No? And he's not an ascetic
Ascetic Hunter is just the name of the feat that combines your Monk and Ranger progressinn:
https://srd.dndtools.org/srd/feats/noncore-featsca.html#ASCETIC%20HUNTER
Complete adventurer
>if it was initiative it would be ridiculous…
Not really. It isn't hard to pump initiative. Spellcasters often go for it because they're squishy.
>You do not want to tick off a colt with those powers.
Yeah, lol.
>>179481
Very organized sheet.
>I have no idea what happens after the Equestria At War timeline starts
You don't need to know history. Just have fun. Pic related

>>179486
>The idea that I play a bat pony Luna worshipper was fun. The Luna worshipper was because that was the Cultural factor I was able to grasp, and it gives roleplay possibilities.
This adds an interesting dimension to the Harmonism worship of some other party members. Harmonism comes in many forms within Equestria.
>But I don't know how important or generally relevant ranged combat is going to be in this game, so I'll be flexible to character ideas.
It's very important, but melee builds have tended to work so far.
>>179490
>studded leather
REEEEEEEEEE my armor autism is activated
>>179499
I will take that feat next then. Probably. There are way too many to choose from.

>>179486
>The light armour is because I can't fly with medium armour, and why have wings if I'm not going to be able to fly? There's a worry in me that I won't be able to get to the enemies in heavy armour before they get taken out by volleys of gunfire.
Since you're proficient in medium armor, wear a Chahar-Aina (mirror shield)
Since you're proficient in light armor, wear a set of Dastana (bracers). Posey wears them. Anyone proficient in light armor should wear dastana.
Chain Shirt + Dastana + Chahar-Aina is +6 AC, before Dex, with no penalty to speed. Ad a shield on top of this, and your AC will be incredible.
Also, since you can fly, you probably don't want a special mount. Consider Stand Fast Instead:
https://srd.dndtools.org/srd/classes/baseCore/paladin.html#stand-fast
Stand Fast is recommended in urban adventures.
Charging Smite is good too though.
Also, remember that as per the urban adventuring variant, you can always swap out the Ride skill with the Tumble Skill.
>I don't know how important or generally relevant ranged combat is going to be in this game, so I'll be flexible to character ideas.
I think you'll be fine, but if you want more help with your build I can give you tips.
As for feats, I would need to get a better sense of how you want to plan your leveling before I make any recommendations.
You should probably have Divine Might and Battle Blessing if you intend to be a standard paladin.
>>179490
>>179488
If you're DPS melee, you might want to consider picking up Crescent Knife proficiency. It's one of the few exotic weapons worth the feat (I rank it tied with heavy harpoons, and slightly above spiked chain in general; but for melee rogues it blows every other weapon out of the water), as it functionally doubles a Rogue's DPS. Good with Craven as well.
It's also held with a crossbar that doesn't look ridiculous in a horse's mouth.
Craven (adds character level to sneak attack) and Darkstalker (subverts scent and other sensory abilities) are essentials for Rogues too.
>There are way too many to choose from.
Superior Unarmed Strike, Snap Kick, Darkstalker, Beast Strike and Catfolk Pounce are worth considering too.
Also Craven if you pick up Sneak Attack through Sidewinder Style Monk.
Rangers are really good because they're the best at ACF chaining. One of my most powerful martial characters was a Ranger.

... I realize that it's none of my business telling everyone how to build their character, but I already spent all this time typing it, so I'm just going to click new reply.

I suppose I should give a detailed description of my characters, since it hasn't been done yet for the new players here.

Silver is a unicorn stallion, with light grey/silvery fur, a darker grey mane and tail in a fairly common utilitarian style, a darker grey dorsal stripe running down his back, and bright blue eyes. Adorning his flanks is a cutie mark of a sword in the middle of a downwards arc. He looks to be somewhere in his early-to-mid twenties, which to Brie is still taking a bit of getting used to. He speaks with a heavy Severyanan accent paired with a deep voice. Silver looks to be a physical specimen, being as tall as a Saddle Arabian horse while still having the build and bulk of a pony. With his large size and impressive strength, the way he moves so smoothly and deftly feels like it should be impossible, but despite this the dexterity and flexibility his body maintains is undeniable. His most notable physical feature however is not his size, strength, or even dexterity, but instead is just the shear amount of floof he possesses. Soft, thick, and full even beyond what Posey can hope to achieve, it suggests that a significant part of his ancestry is Snowpony, which explains not only his impressive build for a unicorn but also his apparent affinity for the cold. Mentally, he seems to be neither the sharpest of mind or sharpest of tongue, though he is certainly no simpleminded idiot. He seems to be possessed of a wisdom well beyond the years shown on his face. As far as equipment goes, he is perhaps the most modernly equipped one in the party, or second most modernly equipped now that Brie has revealed his almost futuristic armor. He wears a flak jacket that appears to have seen some better days, as well as a series of belt, bags, pouches, and bandoliers for quick access to his equipment and ammunition, in addition to his saddlebags which hold everything else he doesn't need immediate access to. In his possession are three weapons of note: a Lavender Rifle, the standard-issue army rifle of the Principality of Equestria during the Great War with an internal magazine fed using stripper clips, a civilian model pump-action shotgun chambered in 12 gauge ammunition, and the most non-modern weapon in his possession, a great big greatsword either made of or plated with silver, intricately made with detailed engravings. The greatsword he seems especially comfortable with, even moreso than with the rifle.

Kira is, well...unique. No lamias have ever been seen in Equestria before, as far as the current group's knowledge goes. Her front/top half appears to be a pony with yellow/golden-yellow fur, a short red mane with a couple small braids off to the side held together with beads, and bright red slitted eyes. Her pony half appears to almost be like a bat pony, just lacking any wings. Her other half is what likely causes most ponies to panic, however; a long, massive snake tail, covered in smooth, metallic golden-yellow scales with a pattern of large red diamonds with black borders running all the way down to the tip of her tail. Her underside is covered in white/off-white plate-like scales which help her gain traction while slithering on various surfaces. A large bulge in her tail disrupting her otherwise clean silhouette suggests that she ate something rather big recently is a bit concerning, but if asked Kira will explain it's a goat she bought at a farm outside of Baltimare. With both halves combining for anywhere between 18 to 20 feet long, Kira appears to be on the very upper edge of what could reasonably be called "medium", and if somehow she were to grow much longer one could very easily classify her as a "large creature". Assuming lamias age in a similar fashion to ponies, she appears to be somewhere in her early 20s judging from her pony half. She looks be very strong, with superb muscle definition in her pony half and the muscles in her tail rippling with every movement. As expected of a snake-like creature, she shows remarkable dexterity and control over her every movement. She seems possessed of a kind, agreeable demeanor that would make it easier than normal for her to be diplomatic, if it weren't for the handicap of inspiring terror in lesser-willed creatures, at least until they get to know her. What's interesting is that despite her origin in Zebrica, she speaks completely fluent Ponish and has an almost Equestrian accent that means she is extremely easy to understand. As far as equipment, Kira wears a far more archaic style of studded leather armor than Brie, with plates of cured leather hinged together to allow for ease of movement, covered in a layer of steel studs or perhaps small rings for additional protection, laying over a tunic made out of either wool or hemp for comfort. She has fewer belts and pouches than Silver does, just enough to suit her needs without inhibiting movement, and near where her two halves meet the lamia-version of a saddlebag is strapped around her tail. Up near where the sleeves of her leather armor end are a pair of ornately-made gold bangles in the shape of a lamia eating its own tail that Kira has moved further up from the ends of her forelegs (or, perhaps just legs as she only has the one pair of them). This is because she needed to make room for a pair of studded leather bracers for protection from one of her weapons. This weapon, a bow of very unusual make, appears to be bent or curved back on itself, and Posey may be able to tell that this bow isn't just made out of wood but also materials from different animals. Paired with the bow are two quivers of arrows, one behind her back and one strapped to her right side, the arrows themselves tipped with barbed steel arrowheads meant originally for hunting, but will be quite effective against unarmored or lightly armored opponents. She also possesses a spear with a steel leaf spearhead, finely made, and a hunting knife of ordinary make on her left hip.

>>179490
ran out of characters in my description post to reply to this in it

Silver looks over at the bat, tilting his head at the unusual design. "Where did you get that? I have never seen armored made in such fashion before."

Kira, meanwhile, looks over and lets out an "ooooooooooo" as her pupils and iris expand to encompass most of her eyes, the catchlights in them seemingly turning into sparkles. "That looks awesome!"

>>179504
>Soft, thick, and full even beyond what Posey can hope to achieve, it suggests that a significant part of his ancestry is Snowpony
Gloomy is would be fluffier, if not for his chronic illness. Gloomy is a full snowpony.
Well, technically. Gloomy is the reincarnated psychic echo of the resentment of a savage, cannibalistic snowponies who worshipped the Windigos in the Arctic wastes north of what are now the Dread Lands.
>>179505
>>179490
"It's not really complete without steel bracers thoug- huuurjk!" Posey quickly refastens her blinders.
All light armor bros should wear dastana.
Oh, and spiked/horned helmets: you can wield them with no arms, and they do double damage on a charge.
Also braid blades for your mane, which you can potentially wear two of. And tail blades/scythes. An extra attack is an extra attack, even if you're not proficient in it.
Not wearing wonder woman bracelets, ZZZ Lucy Totenkopfs, grotesque armor made of bones, and Hatsune Miku twintails is killing your DPS. Don't look stupid.

Also, I realize now that if Tenebrous wore a bat-shaped Chahar-Aina, alongside razored Dastana with a black Flack Jacket, he would look like Batman.
Brie too, although he can't wear the Chahar-Aina because it requires medium armor proficiency.

>>179501
>+6 armor sploits
GM, I swear to god if you allow faggity assed armor thats better than mine cuz of this shit, theres gonna be a problem.
This is why minmaxing and metafaggitry is so toxic, it cuts the legs out from under the players who actually follow the rules and rewards the players who dont

>>179507
How is that excessive? A paladin, who would normally be wearing plate armor, has to wear light armor because he can't fly in plate armor. +6 is still less than what he would get in plate armor, let alone Mechanus Gear armor or other specialized heavy armors.
The Dastana + Chahar-Aina + Chainshirt/Padded/Leather was specifically made for characters proficient in medium/heavy armor in oriental mileau where gothic full plate armor isn't available for whatever reason.
And it's still less AC than what he would normally wear. It just also lets him fly.
Also, it would make him look like Batman, which is fitting since he's a Dark Knight.
>cuts the legs out from under the players
How are you affected by what Tenebrous wears? His AC doesn't affect yours; in fact, you should hope his defenses are good because he's supposed to be defending (You). It's normal for a paladin to have higher AC than a rogue. Paladins are supposed to have high AC. Paladins get good armor, rogues get uncanny dodge, trap sense and evasion.
>thats better than mine
You can wear dastana too. That's +1 AC on top of whatever light armor you are wearing, and looks stylish too.
You can borrow Posey's Dastana, if you want.
>actually follow the rules and rewards the players who dont
I follow rules. I study the rules very thoroughly. I don't break rules or ask for homebrew.
>>179508
Well, I intend to make Gloomy an Ur Priest Tenebrous Apostate, so it's good that he's heresymaxxing already

>>179509
How does one cast spells in a heavy spiked helmet and hinged metal sleeves?

I'm sorry, it was hyperbolic to say "a problem". Please avoid flaunting the sploits you're using

>>179510
Dread Necromancer, like a Bard, Beguiler, Warmage, Savant, Deathmaster, Duskblade, or Hexblade, can cast spells in light armor. See the sample Dread Necromancer wearing very sexy and stylish armor and bracers. Pic related.
Also, wearing a helmet of any kind doesn't prevent you from casting spells.
>>179511
It's not an "exploit".

>>179513
>Implying
Do you seriously think I don't know how this game works? That I would be wearing armor that I'm not able to cast in?
Armor check penalty only matters if you use stealth or acrobatics.
Armored casters ignore the spell failure of light armor. Bard, Assassin, Dread Necromancer, Duskblade, Hexblade, Deathmaster, Savant, Beguiler and Warmage can all cast arcane in light armor. Note how none of those classes get the Mage Armor spell.
And they're all still AC Mogged by Wizards casting the right defensive spells.

Why do you even care? How does this affect you? I was just trying to help out Tenebrous Adamance's player who's paladin can't fly in anything but light armor, by showing him alternative ways to increase his AC and fulfill his role as frontline defender, but you got all pissy for some reason. Why does it matter to you? Why do you care if the paladin has decent AC? Shouldn't you want him to have good AC?
None of this affects your character, so quit complaining.

Armor check and spell failure percent are two aspects of armor. They relate to how even perfectly fitting armor has weight and complicates movement.
Spellcasting is a very physically demanding practice, on par with the monk's martial arts.
The idea that a spellcaster can incur no movement penalties while wearing a sleeve pf hinged metal plates that HISTORICALLY required padded armor/gambeson underneath to avoid injuring the wearer,....

>>179499
Is it impossible to have +8 initiative? No. As floof already pointed out, you can get to +8 initiative by having 18 dex and the improved initiative feat. But would it be suspicious as all fuck if Posey had +8 initiative? Yes, it would, given that she already has as much hp as the fighter, higher AC that the fighter, the other fighter, or the paladin, as much melee strength as the fighter (I believe), she has more bluff and disguise than the rogue, she’s the only one able to cast spells, she has charm as a SU, she has regenerating health for some reason, she has like 18s on all of her ability scores (which we’re all rolled in private), she even has an allegedly fluffier companion than the one character whose entire thing is being fluffy…

I can see why there would be concern, it’s a potential serious balancing issue. Can you honestly tell me that Kira is going to be even remotely close to facing the same dangers as Posey, when ostensibly they are the same level? And then there was your out of character remark to Brie stating that Posey could kill him easily. Yes, I get it. Rogues are squishy and kind of low powered, and Posey, as a caster, can dump her damage all at once. You’re still clearly aware of your character being dramatically overpowered relative to those who used published books that show up on Google.

>>179509
>I follow the rules. I study the rules very thoroughly. I don’t break the rules or ask for homebrew
Dude, I’m sorry, but you’ve failed your bluff check against me on this one.

That “guidance of the avatar” is one even you had to admit was overpowered, and was scrubbed from the internet by its publisher 6 years ago.

I googled that “scorpion amulet” trying to figure out what it was. While I didn’t find a page all to it, I found a page wherein they stated that the originally published book on that had an error, stating that the summoned scorpion was “huge” in size, when it should have been “large.” This error was corrected in the errata, which not as many people read. I have a suspicion that that publishing error is exactly what you were trying to exploit.

>How is that excessive? A paladin, who would normally be wearing plate armor, has to wear light armor because he can't fly in plate armor. +6 is still less than what he would get in plate armor,
Dude, no, again, same thing. I googled your “chanar anain” (on my phone using Google, not bing) trying to figure out what the fuck that’s even supposed to be. I didn’t get an article expositing what it is, but I got four different forums in the first few results where the thread says that this chain shirt, dastana, weird Chinese thing combo makes plate armor obsolete. Are you seriously going to tell me that plate armor, with so much armor check penalty, encumbrance, and inability to fly, a dex AC of +1, and a maximum possible AC of 9, is really going to be better than your combo of +6 AC +4 dex AC? Are you serious?

We could just bullshit that everyone has +1000 AC and add +1001 Attack to all enemies, all it does is chase the numbers up.

>>179516
Alright. GM has spoken.
I was just trying to help out tenebrous with his armor.
>18s
>which we’re all rolled in private
I rolled Posey's stats publicly at the beginning of the game, GM. My highest roll was 17.
>was scrubbed from the internet by its publisher 6 years ago.
The entire WotC archive was scrubbed by Hasbro. Years of fandom chats, handbooks and conversations were memory-holed.
>would it be suspicious as all fuck if Posey had +8 initiative? Yes
GM, maybe it isn't clear, because Posey hasn't been in combat in a long time, but I've rolled initiative in front of you before, multiple times. Posey does have Improved Initiative. It's a bonus feat from Half Vampire.
>Yes, it would, given that she already has as much hp as the fighter, higher AC that the fighter, the other fighter, or the paladin, as much melee strength as the fighter (I believe), she has more bluff and disguise than the rogue, she’s the only one able to cast spells, she has charm as a SU, she has regenerating health for some reason
Well, kind of...? Depends what your yard stick is.
>Can you honestly tell me that Kira is going to be even remotely close to facing the same dangers as Posey, when ostensibly they are the same level?
Idk what Kira's build is, but maybe? Idk.
I played a greensnake naga once. Scales Ones make excellent Rangers, especially if they have Venomfire.
>I googled that “scorpion amulet” trying to figure out what it was. While I didn’t find a page all to it, I found a page wherein they stated that the originally published book on that had an error, stating that the summoned scorpion was “huge” in size, when it should have been “large.” This error was corrected in the errata, which not as many people read. I have a suspicion that that publishing error is exactly what you were trying to exploit.
I actually forgot about that errata. I had intended to summon the huge scorpion when everybody used a readied action to hop on it and ride it like a bus towards the enemy.
It's still a very good item for its price.
>inability to fly
I wouldn't have even brought it up if not for that.
>than your combo of +6 AC +4 dex AC?
That would only aplly if he had 18 Dex. +6 Armor bonus is still less than +8. Not to mention plate armor is good for a lot of other reasons that aren't obvious (armor specialization gimmicks).
But you've already made your ruling. I won't dispute it.
>she even has an allegedly fluffier companion than the one character whose entire thing is being fluffy…
I won't apologize for my colt being cute.
Also, I said he WOULD BE more fluffy, if not for his chronic illness. Gloomy's fur is thin, and falling out in patches. I just saw it as an opportunity to drop part of Gloomy's backstory.

But all this aside, is what you're telling me that you want me to scrap Rosey Ring's character sheet? Because that's the message I'm getting. I'm really be disappointed if that's how it came out after 18 months of development, but if you want her to just fall into the sea be washed away, that's your call.
I won't ever deny being a powergamer. Posey isn't minmaxed: she's just maxed. I when I entered the game read descriptions of an encounter where a Wizard cast a bunch of buff spells and started blasting the party with a machine gun, and I took it to be a high op, high lethality game and made a character that could take machine gun fire, at the cost of spending two character levels.
Posey's character sheet has barely changed since I made it: she gained one (1) level.
So if you want me to throw her sheet away, just say so. I'll delete it right now.

>>179519
Thank you. As your biggest critic, that admission was more than I had hoped for. I have no problem with you olaying Posey as is, just don't act like other players are idiots/behind for not maxxing

>>179519
Awwwwww. I wouldn't want you to change characters...

>>179517
Missed this part
>And then there was your out of character remark to Brie stating that Posey could kill him easily.
That wasn't cool of me to say, but that also came immediately after Brie threatened to kill my character. I called his bluff, because rogues don't usually fare well vs undead because sneak attack is rendered impotent, and I didn't believe he took the specializations or items that let him subverts that.
And yeah, it was gay of me to brag about being able to kill him, but I was also really mad that he threatened to kill me.
>>179521
All the three other characters I made are undead monsters too... (Except for Gloomy, because he's still alive).
>>179520
The "don't look stupid" thing was ironic: if you wear all that stuff at once, you'd look stupid (or really cool).

>You're doing it again
We're mid week. Xp
But to the maxxing issue, yes Tenebrous could grab le specifical armor and le other specifical armor, cuz peepz on the internetes have determined that there are loop a hole with regard to these armors.
Or, let GM custom-tailor the intrepid(?) Paladin through something unique
Trust the process

>>179522
Well, I personally like your characters. Anyways, I suppose to give a bit of context since Kira was mentioned earlier, she's level 6 with 34 hit points, +6 to her AC, and a +11 bonus to attack rolls with her bow which deals 1d8+3 damage on a hit. She's not a very powerful character, and her main strength comes from her very high Hide and Move Silently rolls (+14 to each), letting her be arguably the stealthiest character in the party. Odds are, encounters that would be challenges for Kira would be fairly trivial for Posey, and encounters that would be challenges for Posey would be death sentences for the noodle. Again, I really do like your characters and I wouldn't want you to scrap or change them, but Posey definitely is the strongest character in the party by a wide margin and I think what causes GM pone to constantly complain about it are the reminders of how Posey managed to get into that position.

>>179526
Hoping you'll pardon my interjection (and not just you) it becomes an issue of balance. Posey wants a challenge, which is fine. But what challenges Posey could - in the same combat - maybe turn Kira into pulp. GM wants Posey to feel the thrill of near-death!!!
But at the same time, no one wants anything bad to happen to the coot noodle @_@

>>179524
>Or, let GM custom-tailor the intrepid(?) Paladin through something unique
>Trust the process
Sure, if GM wants to do all of the work to homebrew it. Fine.
I just proposed an armor alternative based on pre-existing rules, because I've faced the same dilemma in the past and had a solution. I thought I was being helpful with my encyclopedic knowledge of this board game from 20 years ago. I hear about a flying character who was frustrated with low AC despite being proficient in heavy armor, and i immediately thought "Chain Shirt with Mirror Shield and Bracers": it's a reflex for me at this point. I thought it would be cool. I thought I was helping.
>>179525
His batman suit would literally just be your batman suit, +1. Mirror Shield is +1.
And, tbh, maybe Flak Jacket (Chain Shirt) + Bracers + shield plate, that conveniently looks like Batman, should be better than plate armor for a dex character. Maybe plate armor is obsolete in a modern setting, because it is in real life.
But the ruling has already been made. It doesn't matter.

Idk anymore. I just tried to be helpful. I'm a tryhard. Idk why I always try so hard if it just ends up like this. I always try so hard and all it does is waste my time and accomplish nothing. Fuck.

>>179528
Have you ever worn a flak jacket? They restrict movement

>>179528
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww...

My point is overemphasized, and I apologize for that. My concern was that liberties were being taken - not specifically by players, but by game designers who don't know the irl mechanics of what theyre designing - and I am confident that whatever error was made by game designers, it is neither the fault, onus, or responsibility of players to address.

>>179528
I’m sorry. No, I don’t want you to tear up your character sheet. I like having you play

>>179534
Rosey's player has reason to feel put on, and Im a big reason behind it, but not cuz I wanna piss in their cereal.
Meta/maxxfagging is fucking tedious. And no, new players should never have to.
Its useful, sure, but it has a really limited productivity ratio.

I'm good, I think my concerns (rules and all) are covered. Its gonna be the best for the whole group, right?
I wont kill anyone, I probably wont threaten anyone, lets kill some commies and military contractors

>>179509
Since we're talking about armor, Cavaliere has on a leather jacket which (according to DnD Modern) provides +1 AC and counts as light armor. He doesn't have a lot of levels in monk so the effects of wearing it aren't severe, but are there any workarounds to wear armor as a monk while retaining all abilities? Otherwise, taking it off before unarmed combat begins is a simple affair.

Also, GM Pony, how much does a smoke grenade and camouflage net weigh? I forgot to take those into account.

>>179518
Armor in this setting is hard to work with, since in the real world time period it is modeled after personal armor has long been obsolete, with a couple of exceptions including the Soviet Stalnoi Nagrudnik (designed to stop only pistol-calibre rounds) and American flak vests (designed to stop high-speed fragments). Light-weight kevlar "bulletproof" (they still couldn't stop rifle-calibre rounds) vests weren't widely adopted until the 1960s, and it took decades more for modern plate carriers to be adopted. In EaW there's a lot more leeway and canonically heavily-armored infantry exist. As Cavaliere mentioned, modern griffon knights have heavy armor, and the polar bears can also develop armor to the same effect. But there has to be good reasons why the armed forces of every country don't adopt armor that can stop rifle-calibre rounds, not to mention adventurers. In the game they all wear uniforms similar to those of WW2 in real life. Also, the character Cavaliere is modeled after has in his theme song "A knight without armor in a savage land," and I deliberately shirked the usage of armor to follow this idea. Monk is not a strong class to begin with, and although it meshes well with ranger to the best of my knowledge I definitely sacrificed power in favor of theme rather than the other way around. Cavaliere has also not been tested in battle within the game yet so I don't know how he would do.
A good reason is cost. Only a few griffon knights and polar bear berserkers are around, and mass-producing their armor or training soldiers to use it would be prohibitive. Another reason is how restrictive it is, and that's the main thing we are discussing now. Armor that one can run around easily in should not easily stop rifle-calibre rounds, and since that's what most of what militaries use, issuing "light armor" would not be worthwhile either. Well, maybe the Kirins came up with something clever to accentuate their armored backs (which canonically in the game can deflect bullets), but that exotic armor style wouldn't be immediately available to an Equestrian paladin.
I'm in favor of Tenebrous having something nice though. Maybe we could just rename those armor pieces to fit the setting?

>>179519
I think the whole concern around Posey arises from the fact that none of us, probably including the GM, took notes on her character sheet so we have no idea just what she's capable of. Because she's designed very cleverly to be effective the mental image that forms as a result makes it look like powergaming.
>Gloomy's fur is thin, and falling out in patches.
Get him some Mane & Tail shampoo.
>I when I entered the game read descriptions of an encounter where a Wizard cast a bunch of buff spells and started blasting the party with a machine gun, and I took it to be a high op, high lethality game and made a character that could take machine gun fire, at the cost of spending two character levels.
The player of that wizard unfortunately isn't in the game anymore, though I hope I speak for us all in that we want him to come back. The game has high op, high lethality moments but as far as I can tell it's not universal across the game. Our earth pony fighter got in a situation where he fought a minotaur with his hooves and lost, though his marefriend saved him from any worse consequences. Aside from Hoebuck, the most intense fighting occurred in Silver's dream sequences which were the only occasions of open warfare seen so far. I think this might have created a bit of misunderstanding, though hopefully a harmless one.
>So if you want me to throw her sheet away, just say so. I'll delete it right now.
While I am also intimidated by Posey's power level compared to the rest of the party (despite lacking two levels), I would really rather you didn't. Posey has grown on me.

>>179526
This

>>179501
>Chain Shirt + Dastana + Chahar-Aina is +6 AC, before Dex, with no penalty to speed. Ad a shield on top of this, and your AC will be incredible.
>Also the other tips and suggestions
Thanks for the great ideas. I've never done anything more complex than PHB plus one splatbook source (with DM approval).
The scene I keep replaying in my mind is flying around a large cave and trying to move around to get better positioning to support either the other melee characters or holding back the tide for the ranged ones.
I think I'll take another look at my build and look at swapping the magic greatsword with a sword and board style of combat if I can. I don't know how that'd work with a pony bodytype.
I might rethink whether I want to go in as a DPS or as a support tank. Do less, better.
Swapping from curing diseases to curing curses is a thing I'd like to do, since I've never heard of or experienced a game where diseases existed, but I've seen a curse or two in my time, but I'm fine with keeping things simple.

-

>"Uuh..."
>Tenebrous groans from his seat in the back.
>"Air transport like this sucks worse than I remember. I've been out of action too long." he quietly mutters.
>Bleary eyes and a mild but noticeably messy mane peek out from above and around his face. The dark blue obscuring his green eyes until he brushes it away with a hoof.
>The nondescript traveller's cloak covers the chain armour like a blanket, serving as an effective and cozy companion to the natural batpony fluffiness. The armour itself is of reliable quality, and bears his Lunar Guard nameplate and rank. with occasionally stitched plates relating the symbols of the Lunar Paladins and his squad.

>>179536
>is there a workaround for monks with armor
Ngl, no, outside of homebrew
Monks are a specialization cross-class in 3.5, no need to justify

But everything is subject to GM

>>179536
>Also, GM Pony, how much does a smoke grenade and camouflage net weigh?
A smoke grenade is 19 ounces. A camouflage net... I have no idea. A tent made of mosquito netting is 4 and a half pounds, and that is the closest I can find.

>>179535
>Meta/maxxfagging is fucking tedious.
It's what 3.5 is known for, to an incredible degree. It's why they made other editions. I'm fine with having a flavourful but sub-optimal build. My goal is to be able to be useful in multiple situations and have some character flavour to work with.

>>179490
Ten looks at Brie and pauses. Then he blinks.
"Wow. You're going all out. I hope you won't mind too much if that gets scratched and covered in mud."
"What sort of scraps are you used to getting in to, again? Don't get me wrong, that's a fantastic set of dress armour, but I'm worried that it might grab a little too much attention in a larger fight if we get unlucky."

>>179541
Kira: "It's quite fancy, but I think it's only sticking out to us as that because we're not in an environment where it's at its best. Maybe when it gets dark it will become its most effective, you know? Maybe he'll do that thing where he 'melts into the shadows' like I heard some of those ninja-people do over in the kirin lands."

>>179541
Ten has an as-yet undescribed armor set, not criticizing. Just using to further
"Ye,... wel fuck me, thats a fancy suit"

>>179504
"...I could see that. It looks like he's used to needing the quiet that's hard to get from metal armour. I'm just worried about the leather wearing out if the mission lasts too long."

>>179543
>"This is a game?"
"...It could be. You start things with a sneak attack, I fly in to save your butt, and then we have the heavy support trample on through while the ranged support peppers the targets. Most of my experience is against changelings, so I'm not sure what the overall flow of things will be, but this is what makes sense to me so far."

>>179544
"Thank you. It was issued by the Lady of the Night herself. The stars were glimmering wonderfully that night. If you haven't been to one of the public ceremonies officiated by one of the holy goddesses themselves, then I'd recommend you do what you can to make the time. The night (or day) was crafted specially for that occasion. The weather ponies were on top form. Literally everything was perfect. It's really an experience that you can't find anywhere else. Except maybe that one time with the Storm King."

>>179545
Brie sits patiently through the response.
"Lovely," he says, displaying the body language of a bat who thinks the other bat is a bit daft. No fault, Luna IS lovely, but he doesnt into all the discussions and disagreements, bla bla bla."

not intending to discourage, just that Brie wont be receptive to drawn-out exposition

"Yes, Im sure you have a perfrctly good reason. About my retainer"

>>179547
Fucking starlink, this was me

So, a quick word about Brie, cuz playing him involves depicting him as more of a dick than I would generally be.
He's all business. He's from the criminal underground, where you neither offer unnecessary info for any reason, nor do you trust anyone you don't understand the motives of (their actual motives, not the ones they confess). He's familiar to the point of expecting betrayal and/or "opportunistic renegotiations", and always has several active backup plans just waiting for someone to reneg on a deal.
In story, he's been asked on this mission by an associate/friend who he owes a favor to, but otherwise thinks this mission is probably beneath him. (I as a player know it's not, I'm just offering perspective context). As far as he knows Silver is the only other "operator" in this squad, and he has a feeling he's going to have to spend more time keeping ponies alive than helping them not be.
He is a big fan of the license to kill,... ngl.
He will talk alot of shit because,... well no one has shut him up yet, but he also thinks that if you get upset by his shit talking, then you're probably not credible in the long run anyway. 99% of his talk IS nonsense, he knows it. Sociability is a vapid practice in his opinion, so it invariably bleeds into his presentation. It is why no matter how polite and cordial, there's an aire of unease to his spiel's.

>>179536
Oh, I have her character sheet. It waa posted once and I downloaded it. It's definitely a lot, but it's not even close to a Pun-Pun build. The only thing that gives me a bruh moment is AC tbh, but I can live with it.
If we really wanna scare Posey in-character, I say we fight a group of religious zealots with holy/blessed weapons. That could be fun

>>179536
Brie's suit is "designed" to offer a degree of melee protection, as well as give him a bit of a chance of deflecting bullets away. Its not intended to be a kevlar-esque or plate-carrier mockup, his defense is almost entirely based on his dexterity and evasiveness. It could be said to provide camoflage from long range, and "not compromise" his presence in many stealth environments, but without active camo you can't be prepared for EVERY scenario so he went with an urban digial sort of pattern, cuz it works in wilderness at night.
>>179541
Brie raises an eyebrow at the term "all out". "Is this your first combat assignment? There is no other way to 'be', if you hope to reunite with your bedroom pillow, that is."
>>179541
"And I assure you that a larger fight is precisely what this suit is designed for. I can slit throats in my pajamas, if that was all that was called for. Though, I am envious of what government sponsorship can apparently muster up," he says, a bit of irritation and perhaps jealousy creeping into his expression as he eyes Tenebrous' suit.
>>179545
"Oh my, does that mean it has a divine quality to it? May I?" He asks, holding out a hoof, wanting to see if it will zap him if he touches it.

(Cuz it would never come up otherwise, tho there is a chance characters may care and/or have heard some of Brie's reputation, and I have a moment)
His reputation is deadly, combining blades with Neighponese Jiu Jitsu to pin his opponents, and then puncture severe wounds in their critical areas. Fearless to the point of recklessness, SOMEPONY up there likes him, cuz he somehow manages to escape hopeless crises (often with a new mane-cut) leaving analysts scratching their heads to try and speculate what manner of sea turtle he managed to ride to safety.
There are a couple bounties on his head, but those are centered around localized crime families, though he is also wanted for questioning on a number of cases (of which he is both guilty and innocent).
His primary occupation is burglary and smuggling of high-ticket art pieces and histpric collectables, but he really just likes money and will entertain any sort of business venture, especially the sort that aids his illicit enterprises. Theres a very happy cupcake baker back in Baltimare that helps launder money for him, for example.

>>179504
Oh! One more detail about Kira I didn't get the chance to mention because of the character limit: around her pony neck is a necklace, though unlike the bangles around her upper arms this necklace isn't made out of opulent gold but instead of humble wood and string, though it's no less intricately crafted. The primary feature of this necklace is a wooden charm carved in the likeness of a crouching leopard.

Test

Okay, I think it’s time for everyone to land on the island.

Can everyone say when they are available? It would be nice if we could figure out when everyone could be available for combat.

The plane flies for some time, until it descends lower, and beneath the cloud layer. Looking outside the world is all fog, and the plane banks and makes a wide turn, before riding again above the could. It repeats this another two times, going beneath and then above the clouds. Finally, the pilot announces,

“We’ve found it. Mended Horn. We’re going to let you down.” The outside is much too obscured by fog to see much, but in a break, a hill appears to the right that breaks to cliffs by the ocean side. Beyond it further ti the right it recesses into a bay, and the bare edge of a steel figure may be seen through the fog. However a cloud comes in, low to the water, and obscures the field of view once again.

The plane decreases in speed even further, and touches down on the water, moving forward and to the right. There is a thick veil of fog over all, though visibility varies, and soon enough clears to 300 feet. The plane moves on the water closer to the island.

What can be seen in front if the party is a granite cliff face, though only fifty feet in height. Above that a hill inclines. Below it, by the water, are broken rocks and a rocky beach. To the left is a granite stack rising about 50 feet above the water.

The pilot comments. “We’re a little south and towards the center of the island. I don’t know if anyone saw or heard us. I don’t think we could get you any closer without rushing being heard. There is rolling fog. It varies, but right now, flying too close to the island is dangerous. We’ll let you off here.”

There are two rafts with oars to take the creatures to shore, which is maybe 150 feet away.

“Try to stay out of the water. Most of the wildlife has gone south for the winter, but so has the heat. That cold will kill you up here, and quickly.”

WE'RE SO BACK!

>>179558
Kira looks up at the shear cliff face that has emerged out of the fog, thoughts running through her head as to how the party will conquer this obstacle. Silver seems to share her concerns.

Silver: "Now I realize it would have been prudent to requisition climbing gear. I am not sure we can climb up that cliff with just our bare hooves, we are not goats."

Kira: "Oh, I have a length of rope we can use! One of the fliers in the group can take one end of it up to the top, and the rest of us climbs up using the other end. The first step is going to be getting to that shore, though."

Kira has another concern; she is quite big and heavy, and she's not certain how well the rafts would take her weight.

Swim: Kira decides in the end to make use of her current resistance to the cold and not take up four spots on a raft by taking a deep breath and diving into the water.

[1d20+3 = (20+3) = 23]

>>179559
>>179558
Despite not actually knowing how to swim, Kira manages to effortlessly remain buoyant, and the effects of Endure Elements means she remains perfectly comfortable despite the freezing temperatures of the seawater.

As a bonus, she seems to remain buoyant enough for members of the party to ride on her back and tail as she swims to the shore, if it's so desired.

>>179559
>>179560
Kira succeeds in swimming through the waters, which are calm enough by the plane; even as waves form by the shore. Faith alone keeps the cold waters from sucking the life out of Kira and quickly.

There is a recognizable Ricky beach ringing to the right and especially to the left. The cliff is far from the steepest Silver or Kira have ever seen, but it’s hardly inviting.

>>179504
>description
I'll do that too
>He looks to be somewhere in his early-to-mid twenties
I believed him to be initially in his late 50s or early 60s, and eating the fruit caused him to age 20 years younger. Much ado was made about how old he was and I can't believe he was only in his 40s.
>Silver looks to be a physical specimen, being as tall as a Saddle Arabian horse while still having the build and bulk of a pony.
Sorry for being a nitpicker. Horses are of large size in DnD and we don't know but we can assume that Saddle Arabians are that size. They're almost as large as Princess Celestia who is definitely in that size category. I don't know how big Big Mac is, but that should be the upper limit for pony sizes.
>size, strength, dexterity and wisdom
I'm curious about your exact stats. I'll share mine at the end.
>a long, massive snake tail, covered in smooth, metallic golden-yellow scales with a pattern of large red diamonds with black borders running all the way down to the tip of her tail.
Wouldn't that be hard for her to hide with outside of her native environment?
>With both halves combining for anywhere between 18 to 20 feet long, Kira appears to be on the very upper edge of what could reasonably be called "medium", and if somehow she were to grow much longer one could very easily classify her as a "large creature".
She is definitely already large. She's much larger than a python of similar length because it's implied her tail end is thiccer. Plus she could fit only in a pickup truck bed.
>studded leather
Pls no, studded leather is neither a real armor nor effective, and I will die on this hill, no matter what DnD says. There's other types of armor that resemble what you want.
>>179557
I'm available tomorrow late afternoon and evening, U.S. time. Evenings will be possible except on Friday and Saturday for me.

Cavaliere is a male griffon of tall build but wiry stature. His feline half resembles almost a jaguar, with dense but short black fur and a tail that ends in a small tuft, as well as front jet black talons that end in well-groomed claws. His avian head is covered with dusty grey feathers and is topped with a black crest. The wings on his back are also black and blend in with his fur. He has a thin black feathered "mustache" over a weathered beak, and his seasoned appearance implies that he is roughly forty years old. His fluent Ponish without much of an accent may surprise those who have met griffons before. Even for a griffon, his natural expression is carefully schooled and neutral except when he lets it be anything else, and it can be difficult to tell what he is thinking. He is remarkably lithe for his age and the others can only guess at how quick his reflexes really are. Although his physical stature is not too imposing, and even by griffon standards he lacks grace and features most would consider to be attractive, his pale yellow eyes shine with a gleam that is both sharp and understanding. He is lightly equipped; the only "armor" he has on is a black bomber-style leather jacket with a fluffy grey sheepskin liner. Under that he wears a black button-up shirt and black trousers, and filling out his outfit are brown leather boots designed for griffon paws, well-made and embroidered but having seen heavy usage. He additionally wears a black wide-brimmed hat made of felt and upturned at the edges, with the crown rimmed by a leather band and a small silver medallion in the front. On his back is a dark brown leather backpack that is currently well-packed and seems to be a moderate burden for him, as griffons cannot bear loads as easily as their equine counterparts. Around his waist is a heavy-duty black leather belt covered in cartridges loaded into loops, and on one side is an additional pouch that looks packed, while on the other side is a holster for a long-barreled revolver. Cavaliere's companions cannot get a good look at the gun aside from its ebony grip until they near their drop point, when he smoothly draws it, swings open the cylinder and loads it with six rounds from his gun belt. Those with experience with firearms would recognize the model as a "Peacemaker" model revolver with a seven-and-a-half inch barrel. The construction is of black gunmetal and is unadorned, but its precise "click" as the cylinder swings back into position implies that it is of high quality, perhaps even custom-made. With a subtle twirl of the gun around a talon, he re-holsters the gun.

17-1 Dexterity
11-1 Constitution
15+1 Wisdom
14+1 Intelligence
11-1 Strength
7+1 Charisma

>>179558
"Thank you. You've done your part, and now it's time for ours." Being close to the door, he clambers onto the nearest raft and holds out a claw to help the next party member board.

Oh, and I can be available virtually anytime, with a couple hours advance notice

>>179564
Also, how thick is the fog? One assumes its white out beyond a certain distance

>>179563
They aren't modifiers, they are adjustments from being in the age slot of middle age.

>>179565
As the plane sits there, Brie can see out to about 300 feet before his eyes meet with a wall of grey. As the pilot stated, the fog is moving, like a set of clouds low to the ground that move in the wind. Sometimes he can see further, sometimes not, but visibility is comparatively high at the moment.

>>179563
I believe the +/-1s are meant to show that, due to Garv's age, he's at the point where all of his physical attributes are reduced by 1 while his mental attributes are increased by 1

Kira gives Brie a bundle of hemp rope, 50 ft. long, once they arrive on the shore. She tilts her head and flicks her tongue at the strange device he's put in the semi elastic pouch. "What's that for?"

>>179562
>age
I don't think an exact number was given for how much the fruit reversed his aging, but my understanding from talking with GM pone was that Silver's back somewhere in his 20s.
>size
Silver's still a pony, though, and ponies are still medium sized creatures as far as I understand. Kira might also be quite large in total, but her pony half is still within the reasonable range of pony sizes so I've got her marked as medium. Plus with Kira especially it's far more advantageous for her to be medium sized where she doesn't suffer penalties to Hide or Move Silently, her main advantages as a character.
>tail
Yeah, it's a bit of the point of her design, but still she has such an in-depth understand of being sneaky that she can compensate.
>studded leather
scroonch
Well, it's either studded leather or leather lamellar armor, either one.

>>179566
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh o7
>>179568
Lamilar is grossly underrepresented, and what I actually envisioned for Brie's suit, at least on some composite level. Studded leather is just what the book calls that level of (leather) armor, but they get alot of things wrong

>>179570
Kira is neither that insightful nor that knowledgeable on how engines work, and as such takes Brie at his word. What she's a bit more concerned about right now however is the rope. "Um...I'll get that back right after, right?"

>>179569
I suppose it's settled then; the armor Kira is wearing is made out of leather lamellar plates tied together rather than being "studded" leather.

>>179568
I would imagine the tail would actually help in stealth, cause she doesn't have to clippy clop little hoofsies to get around so she's quieter
>>179558
The zeeb seems to be pleased to be out of the air, but not so pleased to be in the water. He does his best to gently lower himself into a raft without causing too much of a scene.

To clarify, Brie took the rope cuz he anticipates it may be needed shortly, but...
"Do we have a topographical map? Regardless, I'd like to spend a few minutes surveiling the area," Brie says, clearly not used to appealing to a group he isnt in charge of. "I recommend 2-3 waves of surveillance, starting first at 250', and then descending based on the results of the previous sweeps."

>>179576
Hmm, you make a fair point, you cute lil' zeeb

>>179574
scroonch

>>179573
Kira: "Oh, yay! I knew you would, but it's nice to know for certain!"

You know, I do believe a certain bat is asking for a nice friendly lamia hug.

>>179579
His face sours slightly at the idea of a hug. Hes very not a touchy-feely sort (unless its murder-struggles, thats fine)

>>179580
The expression lasts only for a fraction of a second, before his 'usual charm' reasserts its self.
"Now now, while susceptible to flattery, I'm not one to cave over a length of rope"
(Especially hemp rope, I mean who in celesitia's name DOESNT use silk rope on a mission like this,....)

Posey, if you're still lurking,

I'm sure you've seen multiple posts of me bitching at you and assume that this means I have mostly antipathy for you, don't like you, and don't want you here. Well, that isn't true. I do like you playing with us and I am glad you have been here. I like you in the game and I like you on the quest. I know I've repeatedly bitched at you and taken a harsh tone that makes it seem like I just don't like you, and probably you specifically. I'm sorry, I should not do that. I generally try to just go along with things to get along with people, and when a frustration builds to a point, or if something specific sets me off, I snap. And that is what happened. I curse a lot and apparently get rude when annoyed. It doesn't mean I don't like you. I appreciate you even if I don't show it.

I think you've noticed that you're the only player here that I have no prior connection with and don't know outside of the game. That doesn't mean you're not an important part of the game. It does not mean that you are unwanted, and it certainly does not mean that your absence is not noticed.

>>178640 →
If Amber is sick, she doesn't have sick days.

It's cold outside, but at least the rain has ended. But she just might be able to stop for breakfast, if she's out early enough.

>>179584
me too

>>179585
She doesn't think she's sick. Her winter coat and her clothes serve well to protect her from the mild winter.

She decides to grab a quick, and hopefully non-greasy, breakfast on the way there.

>>179586
Thankfully, small diners do exist, though the level of grease has yet to be determined. This one looks cheap.

>>179587
Amber stops by and looks at what's on the menu.

>>179588
The little diner is on a corner with seats both in booths, but also next to the kitchen in a bar style. The yellow lights tint the simple, single page paper menus, and the faux leather seats and wooden tables have seen better days.

It appears there are fruits, hay, waffles, pancakes and grits.

>>179589
Amber sits at the bar and greets the owner with a tired smile. She elects to order a bowl of grits, a side of hay and a smattering of fresh fruit.

>>179590
Whether the tall, grey, obese unicorn stallion who wears a white apron is actually the owner is uncertain, but he certainly seems to have a position of authority over the other pony working there, a brown earth pony colt in a similar apron. He looks up towards Amber with his green eyes and nods to her greeting as he wordlessly takes her order. He does, however, ask her the following:
"Coffee or orange juice?"

>>179591
"Um…."

She isn't much used to coffee, it being a luxury for her parents to enjoy and not one for the foals "lest growth be stunted." But given her bad dream she could use it.

"…Coffee, please."

>>179592
Dare she drink the black, liquid drug? Does she feel like she's earned a luxury? Is she truly an adult now, doing adult things, like drinking coffee? The stallion comes back with a cup of the black liquid, and offers both milk and sugar.

The grits, too come out, with a small side of butter and an option of salt. The hay is timothy grass, lightly moisturized, and the fruit is the cut up and peeled portions of an orange, a banana, and a couple strawberries.

>>179593
Amber takes a sip of the black coffee and scrunches at its vile bitterness. They really drink this? She adds a generous amount of milk, tries it again, and adds some sugar before she starts to like it. It's still quite hot though and she spaces out the drink over the course of the meal.

The grits combined with butter and salt are a welcome taste of home. The timothy grass is something she had never tried before and it possesses the subtle texture and notes of flavor only a pony can appreciate. The fruit makes a fine dessert, but Amber hasn't tried a banana before. Her face lights up with joy as she savors the new tropical flavor.

>>179594
It's... magical. Mushy and magical. But honestly the damp, dead leaves on the sidewalk would taste half-magical with how Amber has starved herself

>>179596
Amber finishes her meal with nary a crumb left on her plate, feeling far better than before. She beams at the plump stallion and his young assistant.

"Thank you so very much, I needed that."

>>179597
He simply smiles and nods

Amber had to sacrifice any time practicing, but perhaps it was worth it.

>>179597
>>179598
Oh, and about 4 bits

>>179598
>>179599
Nopony can practice on an empty stomach.

She hoofs over a five bit note, and lets them keep the change. Trotting along to work, she whistles and tries to think of a new tune.

>>179600
Amber arrives at work to find that High Sewn is not outside smoking, but inside, trying to sew on a button. She looks up towards Amber, and says

"Oh, you're here."

>>179601
Earth ponies sewing buttons is one of those things other creatures have to see to believe. Amber looks to see what clothes High Sewn is wearing, if they're different compared to yesterday.

"I hope I'm not late, ma'am. I'm ready for the day," she answers politely.

>>179602
She's a unicorn!

She is indeed wearing something new. It is rather light looking, or at least light relative to the winter climate. Yellow and blue are its dominate colors, alongside her own green fur coat.

To herself,
"Hardly early, either" Then speaking in earnest to Amber "Alright, you have the register." She stands up, evidently to move to her back room. "I should teach you how to do some of these repairs. Have you ever sewn before?"

>>179604
"I really should teach you. These repair and accenting jobs don't give us much, but they do provide some income and get customers in the store. In any case, it's a very useful skill to have. To know how to sew and embroider."

>>179605
High Sewn can see the filly wagging her tail under her dress. "Now's the best time, when it's nice and quiet!" her employee replies with a grin.

>>179606
D'awww
High Sewn is sitting at the checkout counter, and using a combination of her hooves and magic to try to sew buttons with a thread and needle into a dark green wool jacket. She stands, and moves aside. "Alright, come over here, and let me show you."

>>179607
Amber sits at the counter over the jacket and looks up at her, waiting for instruction. "What's the best way to avoid getting pricked?" she asks.

>>179608
"Use magic" She says with a sly smile. After a pause, she says, "There are guards for the hoof, but, if you hold it like so" She moves her hoof and threads through the jacket at a certain angle "It's not necessarily as efficient, but you won't stab your frog."

"Now, like so?" She takes the needle and takes it through the button, pulling up the jacket so that Amber has a better view of what is going on.

>>179609
Amber scrunches at the magic comment, and secretly wishes she could show who'd win in a test of strength. Still, she pays attention to the instruction.

"May I try?" she asks.

"Yes." She says, and hoofs over the jacket, the thread, and the needle. "Hold it like so" She mimics the hoof positions.

>>179611
Amber copies her as best she can.

Gonna roll dexterity because why not

[1d20+2 = (6+2) = 8]

>>179612
"No no, like so." She uses her magic to touch Amber's hoof, and correct her positioning, then to guide the needle through.

>>179613
Amber's hoof flinches at the magical force moving it, but stays still long enough to be guided. Once the needle is through the jacket, she lets go and touches her hoof, as if intrigued that it has stayed the same.

>>179614
Amber can't say she's been around many unicorns. Looking at her hoof, feeling her hoof, it does not appear to have been vaporized, or transmuted into something else, like a crab claw or a teacup. At least it doesn't seem to... Better tap it again, just to be sure.

"Again" High Sewn says

>>179615
She is surprised out of her reverie. Once again she tries the sewing technique.

[1d20+2 = (7+2) = 9]

>>179616
"Hmmmm..." She looks over at Amber's hoofwork. "A... very marginal improvement. Let me find a piece of cloth for you to practice with." She goes into the backroom, and Amber is left alone for some seconds. She comes back with a simple wool cloth, a needle, thread, and multiple buttons. "Here, rather than... someone's jacket."

>>179617
She smiles at the chance to practice without worrying about messing up.

"Thank you, Miss Sewn."

Trying again:
[1d20+2 = (10+2) = 12]

>>179618
"Better," she smiles and nods. She has taken another needle and thread, and is now sewing buttons onto the original jacket.

And Amber has done marginally better.

>>179619
Amber will definitely get this perfect if she's given time.

[1d20+2 = (3+2) = 5]

>>179620
High Sewn frowns

"Not so much."

>>179621
"I'll get it this time," she replies, her brow knitted in concentration.

I could just take 20 on this, but this is more fun

[1d20+2 = (17+2) = 19]

>>179622
She got it

Amber sews a button onto the cloth

Reeeeeee no you can't, you need to have a sufficient amount of skill points in the skill in order to take a 10 or 20. This being new to her is the entire point

>>179623
I forgot. At least she got a nondescript amount of XP out of it and the chance to level up a new skill in the future.

"I did it! How did I do?" she asks High Sewn with a cheerful smile.

>>179624
High Sewn gives hints of a smile as she looks over, turning her head but not coming closer.

"Good, looks like you got a button. I would recommend practicing with more. Eventually you may be able to do the repair work yourself, at least the simple ones."

>>179625
Nodding, Amber keeps practicing until either given a new task or until a customer needs assistance.

"Thanks for teaching me. It would have taken me a lot longer to try to learn it on my own."

I don't want to keep spamming rolls if that's okay

>>179626
She looks over towards Amber and, smiling, gives a nod."

"We all have those names and faces of those who began our journey." She says

To Posey's player:

I am told that you responded, even though I did not see your post. Again, I am sorry for how rude I've been towards you. I think that the issues we have can be sorted out. Could we try to work it out? I think we've sorted out many before, and I want to work with everyone to make things as enjoyable as possible for everyone.

I'm tired.
I'm sick.
I'm ticked off.
I'm burnt out.
I'm frustrated.
A third of my body is numb, and the rest of it hurts.
I'm probably going to die before I turn 30.
I have several strong reservations about how things have gone in this thread over the past year, and how they are going right now.
I need to consider how I want to spend my time on earth.
It would be gay to leave a party hanging right before an encounter, but idk...

>>179630
I really hope that we do hear from Rosey's player, and I'm personally okay with waiting for them before we proceed with the quest, including being open to any concessions that may be required now or in the future.
If my behavior has been a/the deciding factor - and it stands to reason that it was significant if not the major issue - then I can only apologize. I'm able/available to give all manner of explanations of what caused me to react in the manners I have - above and beyond the already detailed reasons (this is a learning/observation process for me) - but that's really secondary.
If there is something I can do to illustrate my sincerity - including listing off the many ways I have wronged you and you have every reason to not want me around and nothing to do with (cuz I do have a list, I'm not oblivious) - I am available on board or in private.
Tl;dr
Sorr, am retarde

>>179631
When you first asked to join and proposed your character idea, I approved it without really making critiques on how the character fit in with what to expect because I really wanted you to play. I don’t mean to say that I don’t think Posey specifically/you generally cannot or could not fit in. As I hope this time has demonstrated I’m willing to change things to fit in more with your style, and you’ve clearly done the same in return. I mean that I remained silent on things that frustrated me until they would occasionally come out in more or less explosive outbursts. I suspect that you’ve done the same, keeping silent on problems for fear of offending, just for things to explode all at once.

I remember at “Brony Church” at one convention, Fiara the Tank Girl said that when you are angry with someone, the best thing to do is to tell them you are angry, as that’s a beginning of a dialogue to try to resolve the issue. I think that should be done here, to see if the problems could be resolved.

Is the issue the frequency of the sessions? We can reduce it, or at least your involvement. Is the issue the slow pace? I’m trying to get better at that. Is it the lack of combat or visible progress? I’m trying to fix that.

>I'm ticked off.
>I’m burnt out.
>I’m frustrated.
Wanna talk about it? We didn’t know that

>I have several strong reservations about how things have gone in this thread over the past year, and how they are going right now
I didn’t know you had issues until recently… maybe could you voice them?

And if it turns out the differences are irreconcilable, then okay, at least we tried and we figured out that it wasn’t meant to be.

>I'm probably going to die before I turn 30.
I’m over thirty. I assure you, life just keeps going on and on

>>179631
>I'm probably going to die before I turn 30
If God is as merciful as He is said to be; I say that without a shred of irony or comedy.
I think you will not die, but you won't enjoy the process. That is how it tends to go for the specific demographic that gravotates toward cartoon hors nazis.

>>179632
>If my behavior has been a/the deciding factor - and it stands to reason that it was significant if not the major issue
Ngl, it has been.
I don't like to point fingers, especially at players who have been in the game longer than me, but these past couple weeks have really been unfun. I was looking forward to meeting the party for more than a year, but this made me question if it was worth the wait.
>>179634
>When you first asked to join and proposed your character idea, I approved it without really making critiques on how the character fit in with what to expect because I really wanted you to play.
That's fine, although making them now after a year makes me question if you even read my character sheet. I would have preferred getting nerfed a year ago instead of it happening now, just because it happening now makes me question if my character was being taken seriously.
https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets//?id=2789871
There it is.
>Is the issue the frequency of the sessions? We can reduce it, or at least your involvement. Is the issue the slow pace?
More like the frequency in spite of the slow pace. I'm fine with frequency, but when I spend three irl weeks posting every day about walking through a swamp without a single encounter, it gets frustrating.
Also, it gave me pause to learn that players who have been playing for 6 years have only gained one level. I'm none to complain, every PbP game is different, but that would make this the slowest PbP game I've ever heard of by far.
>Is it the lack of combat or visible progress? I’m trying to fix that.
I noticed that you're working on it, and I'm sorry to get all pissy right before the encounter, but I've had a lot of stuff that I can't even put into words going wrong IRL and in game that's taking the wind out of me...
>I didn’t know you had issues until recently… maybe could you voice them?
Idk, I have a hard enough time communicating irl.
Maybe we should just get on with the quest, to not hold up the other players.

>>179637
I am sorry thay it has been unfun. I was not trying to make it unfun, but I completely appreciate that I did. I also haven't been waiting on this mission as long as many/most/all, so I probably have a more flippant attitude toward it than one might assume/expect. I still have more yet to learn than I have learned.

And thats besides the fact that we're gonna get steamrolled if Rosey doesn't introduce herself.

Yes, I am offering to bow out this mission, if it would make things better for the otherwise existing party.

I'm going to take a guess as to what your biggest issue, or one of the biggest issues is, and address it now: the lack of progression.

I believe you've said that you envisioned this game as culminating in overthrowing the invaders, and presumably, a battle against Queen Chrysalis. This is a pretty traditional way to do things, with the set goal at the outset and consistent progression until the characters reach level 20.

As you've guessed, and as I was afraid to admit, that isn't what I intended here with this game. Not long after it started I settled into my current job, and time kind of just started moving. Time just kept going, and didn't seem to be building to anything. I got more money and much of my family died, but that is all that has happened. Occupied Equestria has no end in mind. It isn't even designed to have an end. I wanted to try and mimic how time works in the real world. In the real world, and unlike all literature, there isn't really a set climax or build up or ending. It kind of just keeps going. Until it doesn't.

As I have said before, the basic underlying theme of this campaign is supposed to be what I believe is the underlying theme of Hearts of Iron IV, which is a Hegelian style Dialectic. What I mean by that is that there are multiple competing ideologies that each have some idea of utopia that are each fighting each other for dominance and are trying to install their utopia. The game is not about the destination, but the journey itself. I would kind of like to imply that that the fight being fought here is doomed to an eternal return, to be fought again after however many generations, and of course I don't think anyone reading in modern times can honestly take any of these ideologies completely seriously, but I like the study. It's set in a kind of semi modern time where things are mostly recognizable, but being optimistic about the future is not rare and is a position that could be taken seriously. You could genuinely believe in progress. You could believe that there is a better future to be won, not just sit back and watch everyone you know slowly die off, like I have been doing.

I really don't mean to say that I think it's been without progress or without the world responding to things that happen. Posey's entire introduction to the world is shaped by the aftermath of the Hoebuck questline that the other party members did. Silver has multiple dating prospects, a cohort and a house. Amber has advancements in jobs. It's just unlikely that, you know, they will be killing off literally everyone on the continent in 2 IRL years time.

There has been little leveling because I've wanted to keep the scope of the campaign small. I wanted it to be about the kind of heroes that actually pop up in times of great turmoil. I wanted soldiers and mafia thugs to actually present a kind of reasonable challenge. 3.5 is the system I used here because it was a system I already knew. I had a time in the past where I looked up everything and was fascinated by builds and all of the math, but now I like roleplay and world building more than the technical aspects of the system. 3.5 has quite a bit of power creep meaning that at any given level, 75% or more of the monster manual is inapplicable. I don't like that, but it is what it is.

I really don't mean to say that I think we can't have, for example, Posey raise an army of undead and go on raids. That may be doable, but I didn't even know that was a goal until recently. Silver has a goal of his character being young and opening a smith shop. A former player had a goal of becoming the governor, which was hinted at becoming true in a flash forward, and so forth. Hell, Silver wants to go on a raid to rescue the princesses. There is quite a bit of room to do things if only you suggest it. I just don't think that this will ever lead to 1v1ing Queen Chrysalis

I also wanted to keep the scale kind of small because I wanted the systems and ideology to be the focus and not the personalities of the leaders. It's easy to talk about wars in human history and just talk about the leaders like we should just take for granted the people who followed them and why they followed them. I have very deliberately almost never named the leader of the New Mareland Faction, the ELF, and even the changelings, because I don't want these leaders to be who you'd think about. I would rather August Wreath be your idea of the ELF than Starlight Glimmer, the actual canonical leader.

>when I spend three irl weeks posting every day about walking through a swamp without a single encounter, it gets frustrating.
Come on, Posey had multiple encounters there, even if she talked around most of them
I can fix that. This quest is definitely not going to be that.

>makes me question if my character was being taken seriously.
I do, I just didn't want to say "no" and potentially upset you

>>179637
>Also, it gave me pause to learn that players who have been playing for 6 years have only gained one level. I'm none to complain, every PbP game is different, but that would make this the slowest PbP game I've ever heard of by far.
There have been other kinds of reward, like real estate, NPCs, and as you have noticed, a damn near overflow of magical weapons

>>179641
Ngl, if 1v1 vs Chrystalis, with the right motivation Brie could really help,... I'll shutup

>>179643
Just to clarify, I mean Brie would help set it up, and participate. His allegiance in/around the Hive is PURELY business, and shenanigens are always welcome

>>179637
>>179638
>>179641
I want to give you all a hug...

>>179645
Use the noodle, she has a better grappling bonus

On the quick subject of noodle hugs and cutie boops.
In character, Brie will never act reciperocatingly, even though he will be touched by the gesture. Its a so-cross-class skill to be in either ways emotional or vulnerable. Ive told Silver, as a PLAYER my goal is for Brie to get his goddamn cutie mark, and transition from neutral evil to chaotic neutral.
He also hopes to share ideas with overlapping characters: he and Kira may have insight to offer one another about murder-struggles.
Rosey is the one Brie will be able to identify with least, so I'll file that under "delicate"

I like having Posey and Posey's player around. I think they make things more fun. I'd like it someday to see Posey and Silver interact after Silver learns the truth about her, because I think Posey would be surprised by Silver's reaction. I think it would be neat to see a situation where Posey is trying to corrupt Silver and bring him over to the side of evil, while at the same time Silver is trying to bring Posey to the side of good (or at least, the side of not-evil). I do understand the frustrations about not really progressing in terms of levels. It's the one major thing I'd like to see changed, to see the characters improve not just in the gear, property, or NPCs they possess, but also in their own personal power. Well, that and having GM pone agree to making Craft checks a per hour thing so the characters can actually work towards making their own gear in a reasonable timeframe (it really shouldn't take potentially months to make even the most basic of equipment or potions). I don't ever mention stuff like that because historically I've found people don't like it when I give them input on things and it just causes people to get sad or upset and causes more trouble than it's worth. so usually I'll just grin and bear it rather than tell anyone if I'd like to see something change.

>>179641
>I'm going to take a guess as to what your biggest issue, or one of the biggest issues is, and address it now: the lack of progression.
Actually my biggest issue was the building toxicity and arguing with Brie's player (and to a lesser extent, GM) in the past couple weeks, but that was a major factor. That and my failing health making me reconsider what I want to spend my time on.
I've said it before that Gloomy Sundae is based on me.
>I believe you've said that you envisioned this game as culminating in overthrowing the invaders, and presumably, a battle against Queen Chrysalis.
That is what I was thinking of, yeah.
>I wanted to try and mimic how time works in the real world. In the real world, and unlike all literature, there isn't really a set climax or build up or ending. It kind of just keeps going. Until it doesn't.
I can see why you would want to do that, but for me, it's a different perspective. For me, the flow of time has been a series of setbacks and struggles with me trying to move forward for the sake of people who depend on me, until I likely die before middle age with all of my projects unfinished and my personal dreams unfulfilled. I play games to distract myself from the painful futility of my existence and feel some fleeting sense of accomplishment.
>The game is not about the destination, but the journey itself.
Idk, I think it's possible to win EaW. Then again, the Dread League is a unique faction.
>There has been little leveling because I've wanted to keep the scope of the campaign small. I wanted it to be about the kind of heroes that actually pop up in times of great turmoil. I wanted soldiers and mafia thugs to actually present a kind of reasonable challenge. 3.5 is the system I used here because it was a system I already knew. I had a time in the past where I looked up everything and was fascinated by builds and all of the math, but now I like roleplay and world building more than the technical aspects of the system. 3.5 has quite a bit of power creep meaning that at any given level, 75% or more of the monster manual is inapplicable. I don't like that, but it is what it is.
I see what you're doing, it's called an e6 game. Maybe you're not sure what that is, but it's close to what you've been running.
https://dungeons.fandom.com/wiki/E6_(3.5e_Sourcebook)
Don't get me wrong, E6 games are fun. They're just not for every kind of character.
>I really don't mean to say that I think we can't have, for example, Posey raise an army of undead and go on raids.
Thing is, if I knew it was an E6 game, I wouldn't have played a Dread Necromancer. Posey doesn't learn to cast Animate Dead until lvl 8. Her goal of becoming a master, of being free from the suffocating control of her overlords, doesn't manifest until lvl 8. It's doable in an E8 game, but not E6.
>I didn't even know that was a goal until recently.
I thought I made that clear when I entered the game. Maybe that's my problem.
>Silver wants to go on a raid to rescue the princesses.
That would be fun.
>becoming the governor
Interesting idea.
>Starlight Glimmer, the actual canonical leader
Eww, Poochie.
>>179648
Ngl, Silver could be lvl 8 or even lvl 12 by now.
He could at least rack up some bloodline levels.

Anyway, I'm free for the rest of tonight and most of tomorrow. Let's just get this quest over with before we talk about the rest.

>>179649
>Actually my biggest issue was the building toxicity and arguing with Brie's player (and to a lesser extent, GM) in the past couple weeks
Oh.

Well, I really do need to mention that you really did piss me off by rubbing the powergaming into many player's and my own faces. Calling Zone of Truth a "meme" spell, showing up Garv with a higher bluff when he tried sense motive, claiming near complete immunity to explosives and complete immunity to the enchantment school of magic, telling Brie your character is so much more powerful because your character is completely immune to rogues, telling Defiant Dust that his character that's explicitly made to counter undead is worse than your at that purpose and then making a show of having higher initiative than his character... And then you wanted to say that your power gaming had no effect on any other characters, it seemed really insulting. Like I get it, finding combinations of different things to do in the various books and then building a character on the basis of that is fun, but do you have to insult us for not doing the same?

>I see what you're doing, it's called an e6 game
I had never heard of that before

>I thought I made that clear when I entered the game. Maybe that's my problem.
I knew there was a goal of setting up Baltimare as an undead state

>Maybe we should just get on with the quest, to not hold up the other players
>Let's just get this quest over with before we talk about the rest.
Well, I had originally wanted to land on the island and have the first massive combat encounter on this weekend, but this is important and needs to be addressed. The first (minor) combat can be on Sunday. Yes, the other players are okay with that.

>>179649
If you did want to move on, the landing at the island is described right here. >>179558

Brie, Silver, Kira, and Defiant have their declared actions in the posts that shortly follow

>>179651
>but do you have to insult us for not doing the same?
I did not mean to be insulting. It was wrong of me to behave that way. I apologize for any offense I caused.
>Well, I had originally wanted to land on the island and have the first massive combat encounter on this weekend, but this is important and needs to be addressed. The first (minor) combat can be on Sunday. Yes, the other players are okay with that.
Okay. Sorry for ghosting everyone.
>>179652
Rosey Ring would feebly get on one of the occupied rafts, trying not to vomit. She does not say anything because the close proximity to sea water has made her travel sickness even worse than it was on the plane.
She has her unseen servant take up one of the oars, and tries her best to row with her horn. She fastens her blinders and tries to shut out the universe until the boat lands.

Kira begins humming a tune that's unmistakably "Do Your Ears Hang Low" which she has apparently mistaken as some kind of pirate shanty.

>>179651
I suppose it should be asked, how difficult is the cliff in front of them to climb?

>>179656
I can handle the cliff, if you can get Posey to shore before she rots from the stress of being on boat.

>>179656
How much does Kira weigh?

>>179657
There are a couple options for that. Silver can help row Posey to shore on one of the rafts, or Posey can ride on Kira's back as she swims to shore since she got lucky and rolled a nat 20 on her Swim check.

>>179659
600 lbs. normally, though she may be a bit heavier at the moment as she's carrying a goat in her stomach.

>>179660
Lira is large sized? This might be a bit more complicated...
600 pounds is just *barely* within Posey's maximum carrying capacity (690)... which apparently imposes no penalty to climb checks...? Seems like an oversight, but whatever.

Here's what we can do.
Defiant and Silver can ride on Posey's Floating Disk, which carries up to 700 pounds.
Kira can wrap around Posey's body.
And Posey will climb the cliff:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGnyi2BsTYI [Embed]

>>179662
Hmm, an interesting idea, it minimizes the potential risk of multiple characters making climb checks and as a bonus means Posey will be the second character after Free Rover to handle Kira like that. As long as it's okay with everyone else, it sounds like a good plan to me. We just need to hear from GM pone about how difficult the cliff is to climb. Also Kira gave her hemp rope to Brie where he can fly up to the top of the cliff and secure it, so Posey will at least have a slight bit of help with climbing the cliff.

Right before the creatures get into the boats - or in Kira's case, into the water itself - the engines on the seaplane cut off. Now, the sound of waves crashing against shore and the lapping of waves on the seaplane dominate. Being in the plane has done their hearing no favors - every one of them hearing the ringing of tinnitus during the lulls in the sound, as does another sound associated with subjective tinnitus, a lower pitched sound like being underwater.

The air, while clearly cold, is still above freezing, and warmest closest to the water. There is a distinct smell of salt water, but also something else. It isn't completely unfamiliar, perhaps diesel fuel and dead algae.

In every direction, fog dominates. At around 300 feet, everything becomes a wall of grey, and figures are harder to see up close. Anyone who looked out the window as the plane landed, or sticks their hooves in the air and feels the wind coming from behind the plane, knows that this is not a true-fog, but very low-level clouds on the move, and visibility varies with the passage of time.

In front of the creatures is 150 or so feet of ocean with waves that, while hardly storm quality, are not calm either, and shake the little boat. Beyond this is a rocky beach that is reaosnably thick, about 30 feet wide, and seems to hug the cliff in both directions. On the right side it tapers off into the mist. On the left it simply continues, though where it goes is obscured by a sea stack. Above this beach is a cliff of about 50 feet of rock. Hardly the friendliest, nor worst cliff ever seen. Above this is a hillside of both dead and still living grass, not covered in show, that gently slopes upwards and continues beyond the field of view.

Mala enthusiastically jumps into a raft, more comfortable in it than in the plane. The rafts rock gently. A large reptile can be seen swimming through the water... but it's just Kira. If these waters are filled with mines or dangerous sea life, it hasn't been encountered yet.

The creatures can make it to the beach

>>179665
>sound of waves crashing
>distinct smell of salt water
>waves that, while hardly storm quality, are not calm either, and shake the little boat
"BLAAAAARGHHH-GLUUURRRK-CHHHRRREEEAGHHH-HHHRRNNNNNNNN-URRRRRGH-KLAAARRK-KRROOOOAAAAGHHH-PLOOOOORRRRK-SSKKKK-THHHRRKKK-GLURRRRRGHHH-HRRRRRRRRRRKKK!"
Posey rows frantically
>A large reptile can be seen swimming through the water... but it's just Kira.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGnyi2BsTYI [Embed]
>The creatures can make it to the beach
Please do.

>>179666
Wrong clip
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WkRjBcnj4T8 [Embed]

>>179665
Brie will assume a low-flying elevation of around 100' for the crossing, attempting to glean any details from the landscape.
Spot [1d20+8 = (11+8) = 19]

>>179668
You could affix a rope to the top of the cliff, to make it easier for Posey to climb.

>>179668
The only thing immediately discernable is that the beach does indeed go on beyond the stack, and above the cliff, the hillside continues, covered in grass with a few shrubs. Nothing immediately jumps out. Except, perhaps, the island itself. With the sea stack and the hillside, it's difficult to keep 100 feet up.

>flying in the fog
Brie quickly sees why the seaplane was reluctant to do this, so close to the island
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqz2TKn3AOs [Embed]

>>179669
Indeed, and assuming nothing subtle/nefarious results from the spot check, thats precisely what he will do, utilizing the very coil of unnecessarily heavy rope that Kira provided.

>>179651
I for one would like to say I was not insulted, I figured it was all just good fun.
Posey is definitely eating a Searing Light up the ponut if it comes down to an actual dick measuring contest. Mayhaps with lube. Probably not, unless she asks nicely.
>>179662
>Dust ... can ride on Posey's Floating Disk
Can they get dinner first? Bad jokes aside
>>179665
>to the beach
Zeeb would be very happy to be back on land.

>>179673
>Posey is definitely eating a Searing Light up the ponut if it comes down to an actual dick measuring contest. Mayhaps with lube. Probably not, unless she asks nicely.
Your character is so getting raped by Posey. Not poetically or theoretically or figuratively or metaphorically, but raped, straight up.

But yes, he can arrive on the rocky shore. The stones are wet, and there are a few signs of wildlife like bird feathers.

>>179674
Oh, can Kira tell what kind of wildlife is on the island? Would that be a Survival check? Nature check?