Topic: Save The Princess recruitment
Subject: and for the record
You start with 5 spells in your book. At 2nd level you get two more.
Posted on 2009-12-14 at 16:52:08.
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Topic: Save The Princess recruitment
Subject: correct
That is correct Tann. Makes the first level mage not so powerless anymore.
Posted on 2009-12-14 at 16:50:54.
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Topic: Save The Princess recruitment
Subject: Grey area
Yes and no. You are correct in your assessment of the mana points but I don't worry too much about the one point in conjuration. The way I look at it, you are limited in schools anyway so chances are you will cast a specialzed spell in a day.
In the future I want to look at the bonus spell as actually a reduction of points needed to cast spell of the specialized school, but I haven't worked all that out yet because you get into half points and carrying over the half points and what if you want to cast this but only have a half point for that, and you know the drill.
So specialist mages - one extra mp, less spells available.
Posted on 2009-12-14 at 16:37:39.
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Topic: Loaded Dice #38: So Much for that Romance...
Subject: Now that's funny!
Very good comic. Love this one.
Posted on 2009-12-14 at 15:57:42.
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Topic: Save The Princess recruitment
Subject: summing up
Two warrior types: Raven, KoD*
One generalist Tann*
One cleric/healer type - Dragonblood
One Mage type - Aryn?
One Rogue
*-handed in a basic character write-up.
Merideth hasn't got back to me and she is starting her holidays so I don't know when I will hear from her. I'm not starting until January so we have time.
If Nomad D2 wants to join, I will allow a 7th player because I did offer it to him. So I throw in a few more monsters...
Aryn - you played a cidal ranger in my failed attempt to do a pardinal campaign. So you have played in one of my games but unfortunately not one that made it to the dungeon itself. I have since learned that I should start online campaigns at the doorway of the evil lair. Too much background and you start losing people.
Posted on 2009-12-14 at 13:38:15.
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Topic: Save The Princess recruitment
Subject: From my unfinished article
One day I need to finish this article. This is the mana system I use for any arcane magic user (including bards)
Since the dawning of the Dungeon and Dragon era, players have faced a simple dilemma when looking at starting a game. What shall I play? In the eternal struggle between fighter vs. mage, mages often were left in the dust because they couldn’t fight well hand to hand, they’d only have one or two spells max at first level, and they had to pick the spells at the start of the day, not knowing what lie in store for the party. It is not surprising to see that the low level parties were often fighter, fighter, fighter, thief and a fighter/mage multi-class because who wanted to be a mage? On the other end of the spectrum, high-level mages have almost god like power and can rarely use all their spells in a day, mostly because they have to take such a generic list to possibly be useful in any given situation.
The problem with the whole idea of memorizing spells each day has never made sense to me. While I could see a first level struggle to remember all the words and movements to a magic missile, I find it hard to believe that the 20th level mage would need to remind himself how to cast a spell he has probably cast every day for the last 20 years. He could do it in his sleep, and probably does, which is why he is still single, but that’s another article.
It was this issue that led me to the concept of mana. Well, actually, I stole the concept from Diablo II but I modified it for 1st/2nd edition D&D. Those of you who play 3, 3,5 or 4 – I have no idea if this works in your world, but feel free to give it a try.
What is mana? Mana is the energy that the mage can channel through his body from the positive or negative material plane. Every mage can handle only so much mana but as they get older and better at their trade, they can channel more and more. Unlike the game, mana cannot be bottled, decanted or turned into a liquid form. Think of mana as an energy that makes the laws of physics sit, lie down and play dead. You are not gonna find a Diet Mana Max to restore your powers fast.
Mana is recovered naturally by sleep. Mages do not lose all their spells due to loss of consciousness as they do under the standard spell memorization system (however if the DM wants they can use the optional mana seepage rule shown later). However, spells that fizzle (due to being interrupted from an attack while casting, for example) still use up mana. To put in simply, once you put the mana into the caster’s hands to do the spellcraft, the mana is released.
Instead of the wizard being assigned a fixed number of various spells per spell level per day, the wizard instead receives a number of mana points equal to the sum of those spell levels (or you can use my alternate mana chart, shown later). So, our sixth level wizard, who normally gets four first level spells, two second level spells, and two third level spells would instead get fourteen mana points (4x1 + 2x2 + 2x3). In addition, the mage receives one bonus mana point for each point of intelligence above fifteen. This is a one-time bonus, not a bonus per level.
Spells cost one mana point per spell level. So a first level spell costs one point, a second level spell costs two points, etc. The mage may cast any spell that is their spell book as often as they like as long as they have sufficient mana. Using our example above, Bob could cast four fireballs and two magic missiles, ten magic missiles and two webs, or five webs, one fireball, and one magic missile, etc. If a mage runs out of mana and needs to cast a spell, they can still do so but at the cost of their life force (Hit points). Hit points lost this way cannot be restored by any magical or other healing means whatsoever - the only way to regain them is to rest one full day per hit point lost.. If a mage is unwise enough to use more lifeforce as mana than he has, he risks literally killing himself with spellcasting (or risk wizard’s twilight, see later in article)
Optional Rule: Wizard's Twilight
Fantasy literature also contains quite a few references to wizards who, in times of dire need, wield their magic beyond the physical limitations of their bodies, risking their lives in an effort to save the day. In typical D&D, the reality is that once your mage is out of spells, they have to rely upon beating monsters with a stick, or hiding behind the fighters if they wish to survive.
If you are using the optional mana rule in your game, you may also use the wizard's twilight rule. What this means is that a wizard may continue to cast spells even after they have expended all of their mana. However, this is very risky.
To continue casting spells after one's mana is exhausted, a wizard must use his own life force to provide power for the magic. In game terms, this equates to one hit point per mana point needed by the spells to be cast. Hit points lost this way cannot be restored by any magical or other healing means whatsoever - the only way to regain them is to rest one full day per hit point lost.
If a mage is reduced to zero or less hit points due to this, they risk wizard's twilight - a state of being where the mind is essentially burned out, and the caster can do nothing but obey the simplest of commands. Free will and personality are gone; the mage tends to slip in and out of consciousness. Wizard's twilight often results in the death of the caster.
Posted on 2009-12-14 at 13:21:56.
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Topic: Save The Princess recruitment
Subject: Okay, let's get organized
Okay getting a rash of thieves and cidals. Before we end up with a short listed party and for the sake of survival, I'd recommend that you have:
Two warrior types
One generalist (Fighter thief, figher mage, Mage thief or Bard)
One cleric/healer type
One Mage type
One Rogue
It is important to me that you love your character so I am willing to listen to ideas and bend rules if it makes good story.
In creating a character - you should work with 90 points over 6 attributes. No one should have more than one 18. no magic to start. I don't want to fuss to much with equipment so give me the list, be reasonable in your choices and I'll tell you if I object.
If you are single class you are 2nd level, otherwise you are 1/1. Give yourself full hit points because I give the monsters full hit points. (hehehe) For the record, I do split class as half of each die, then con. So Mage/thief at full with a +2 con would be (d6)3+(d4)2+2=7. You have had one adventure together - you cleaned out a goblin lair giving a local town some grief.
Raven - I'm open to the Gil if you woo me with a good story, which I know you can do. Don't worry about being in Drannon, figure out the why he is on the mainland.
Everyone seems willing to be flexible here so lets talk this out. I like the dashing Swordsman, The Gil/vid Warrior concepts. Aryn suggested a cidal bard, DB a cidal fighter and Merideth has not offered an opinion.
And no roleplaying of animals.
Posted on 2009-12-13 at 18:28:18.
Edited on 2009-12-13 at 18:28:43 by Alacrity
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Topic: Save The Princess recruitment
Subject: I'm Alacrity Fitzhugh and I approve this character
I like the musketeer concept. What do they call that in Order of the Stick - Dashing Swordsman.
Posted on 2009-12-13 at 16:48:51.
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Topic: Save The Princess recruitment
Subject: stuff
KoD - You are welcome to join but I have three people asking for thief and really only one is needed. Another fighter or cleric would be good.
Raven - A Gil warrior would need one heck of s backstory to explain his presence.
So I have Tann, Aryn, Raven, Dragonblood, Keeper of Dragons and Merideth interested.
Posted on 2009-12-13 at 11:49:52.
Edited on 2009-12-13 at 11:55:19 by Alacrity
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Topic: Save The Princess recruitment
Subject: in
Dragon Blood - Of course you can be in. That's 3 and I am willing to go to 6.
Thanks Pekka - for some reason I thought the Vidarak were a bird-like race. Silly me. This is fine, I look forward to your character.
Posted on 2009-12-12 at 22:35:32.
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Topic: Save The Princess recruitment
Subject: Vidarak
Where is the write up on them?
Posted on 2009-12-12 at 21:49:02.
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Topic: Save The Princess recruitment
Subject: Welcome back
Although if I end up with the CWWLLO crew, I may revive that game.
Triple class always seemed to me to be the ADD of AD&D. Not saying no but tough to play.
Posted on 2009-12-12 at 21:13:10.
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Topic: Save The Princess recruitment
Subject: Save The Princess, Save the Wyrm
Come one, came all (or at least 4 to 6 of you)
I will be starting a low level 2e campaign in the New Year. I am looking for 4 to 6 players to join up. You don’t need to write epic long posts, but a willingness to post once a week and keep the game moving. I like characters with a good background and I am more than willing to help anyone new to the system.
Races are restricted to Audalis (Khords, Syls, Humans, Cidals, etc etc) and you will start out as a party that has had their first adventure and is now looking for more (2nd level or 1/1 splits). Classes should be core, but I will look at any kits people may wish to bring up. A couple of fighters is a good idea, one rogue type and a mage for sure. More details on the game itself will be coming. If you wish to play a mage, I use a mana point system that gives you more flexibility and power so you won’t be a two spell wonder.
If you have never played 2e, I can translate from 3. 4e is a bit more problematic but I can figure out any system. The adventure will be a short one and if the players enjoy themselves and wish to continue I will make more.
For those of you not familiar with Audalis, it is the game setting created for this site and there is a button on the top bar that will lead you to information on it. If you are familiar with the setting, we will be starting out in Drannon.
I will post a short description of the game soon. But if you are interested, please let me know.
Posted on 2009-12-12 at 20:20:41.
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Topic: Looking for a D&D game
Subject: I'll be your huckleberry
I will be starting a 2e game soon (January) if you are interested. I should get the recruitment posting up this weekend. Based in Audalis, low level (2nd levels). I have been a Dm since 1982 so I bring a lot of experience to the table.
Posted on 2009-12-12 at 20:05:35.
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Topic: Really fun mini-series
Subject: speaking of remakes
Avoid "The Prisoner" remake if you can. The writers/producers/directors missed the point of the series completely. Confusing garbage. No even Ian McKellan can save it.
Posted on 2009-12-09 at 20:28:04.
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Topic: Santa Claus Letters
Subject: Thinking same
I will look at posting it to Facebook tonight.
Posted on 2009-12-07 at 19:34:33.
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Topic: Loaded Dice #37: Promo Poster: Reservoir Dogs
Subject: oops
Sorry i forgot to update the facebook site - it was a very tough weekend for me.
Posted on 2009-12-07 at 17:17:20.
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Topic: Santa Claus Letters
Subject: ho ho ho
I printed off the page and hung it up in the lunchroom.
Posted on 2009-12-07 at 16:54:49.
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Topic: Star Trek: No Good Deed Q&A
Subject: shiny
I wouldn't want to gloss it over completely but I'm all for keeping it short and sweet.
Posted on 2009-12-07 at 15:15:16.
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Topic: For all my fellow history buffs: Pompeii
Subject: Rome
Yeah, I've always wanted to see Rome too.
I have heard that the Google car has caught a few interesting images in its travels. Through a window - a couple having sex, a car that burst into flames as they passed by. Fun stuff.
Posted on 2009-12-04 at 17:57:02.
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Topic: Audalis - Leeway
Subject: it's your party and you can scry if you want to
I think with any game setting, the Dm has poetic licence to do whatever he wants. Audalis is offered up as a world to people but if you want Sendria to be the hub of good and Pardinal to be the evil empire - who are we to say no?
That being said, if you are playing on the inn with Audalis, you need to be clear where you part company with the accepted world and history. Some of us know Audalis like it was the back of our hands (hey, I never noticed that before....)
Posted on 2009-12-03 at 20:22:59.
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Topic: Hey - nice newsletter :)
Subject: it will come
There will be a link soon on the site to see the newsletter if you find you can not download it.
Posted on 2009-12-02 at 02:48:25.
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Topic: Loaded Dice #35: A Dead End...
Subject: Ahhh
Hence the expression "Ghoul of a Took!"
Hey 4 points up without nudity!
Posted on 2009-12-01 at 18:59:10.
Edited on 2009-12-01 at 18:59:56 by Alacrity
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Topic: Loaded Dice #35: A Dead End...
Subject: mooks?
What the heck is a mook?
Posted on 2009-12-01 at 15:44:29.
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Topic: Favorite Non-Standard RPG
Subject: CORTEX
I like the new Cortex rule system from Margeret Weiss games. It is the system that I game with for the Firefly/Serenity games but the cortex system is a generic rule system that can be used for any genre. I like the simplicity of rule to leran and that the game is more geared to role playing and rewarding good role playing of characters.
Posted on 2009-11-30 at 11:20:10.
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