CB's Grim Frequencies AP OOC -- COMPLETE

[Forged Fury]

Double Post

 

[KirayaTiDrekan]

I'm going to try to get my character leveled tomorrow night but if that doesn't happen, it'll be at least next weekend before I can get to it (potential jury duty on Wednesday).

 

[Shayuri]

I did not see that! And it is pretty cool!

The only reason I hesitate is because while it really does make D0 a master hacker, it limits her to ONLY hacking. That might be a big limit. Not every situation is going to be one where hacking computers or devices is what we need.

I had this notion that Death Otter could frame 'magic' as a kind of 'reality hack,' at which point it becomes conceptually in-theme for her. Sort of like Neo's tricks in The Matrix.

Still, as long as I'm getting approval, CB if you wouldn't mind taking a look at Shadowjack too? It's a good backup option if you don't like TechnoMage.

Blargh! Enworld is getting REALLY squirrelly lately with its database errors!

 

[CanadienneBacon]

I decided to take the Thrasher advanced class, rather than Street Warrior. The way the character has evolved, the big tough brick that can channel inner energy/adrenaline for short bursts of speed & strength when needed seemed a better fit than an urban street brawler. And he is quite the brick now with 17 defence and 59 hit points...
That necessitated a couple of changes in terms of skills and feats to meet pre-requisites. Thrasher needs Endurance or Athletic feat and ranks in Concentration and Survival skills. So I swapped out Improved Bull Rush (picked up at level 2) for Endurance and Intimidate/Knowledge (Streetwise) for Concentration/Survival. As the latter two skills seem to suit him better, once I qualified for Thrasher his next two levels of skill ranks went into those skills, and I'll continue to do so unless anything major changes. I considered adding ranks in Profession (Cook) to reflect his developing IC cooking skills... though at this stage they are more hobbyist than what the Profession skill seems to emulate in d20 Modern. Perhaps that can become a sideline / long term goal now that he has "gone straight" - T-dawgs Halal Cuisine... nah, need a catchier marketing slogan than that !

This is all fine by me. I like the idea, too, of T-dawg as chef de cuisine for a food truck labeled "T-dawg's Halal Cuisine." That's fit right in with Indy's thriving food truck culture! Plus, it'd be awesome cover in case the group needed to do some spying. Just something to consider.

Finally, what do you want to do with action points? Technically, as we haven't been spending them, we should have a huge pool of them by now - and note that T-dawg now has a class feature which requires spending them, so we probably shouldn't just ignore them. Should we just start with whatever we would have got for level 5 (reflecting he assumption that you spend them roughly as fast as you earn them)?

Go ahead, all of you, and top off your action points for whatever you would have gotten for level 5. Regarding the use of action points in the IC, thus far I've been letting you guys tell me when you want to use an action point. So far, no one has really much remembered that action points can be used. Or there haven't been too many encounters where action points could be expended. I think we should keep them and use them. Maybe we need a joint effort...I prompt the group from time to time whether anyone wants to use an AP, and you guys try to remember they're available to you and can be called upon in your time of need?

[sblock=Cyril, the Negotiator]
STR 8 (-1)
DEX 14 (+2)
CON 10 (+0)
INT 14 (+2)
WIS 10 (+0)
CHA 18 (+4)

Initiative: +6
Perception: +0
Defense: 14 (+2 DEX, + 2 Class)
HP: 24

FOR +4 (Base +4, +0 CON)
REF +4 (Base +2, +2 DEX)
WIL +4 (Base +4, +0 WIS)

BAB: +2

Class: Charismatic 3/Negotiator 2
Experience: X,XXX
Starting Occupation: White Collar (Knowledge: Civics & Research)
Reputation Bonus: +3
Action Points: ??
Wealth Bonus: ???

Weapons
None

Skills
Bluff +14/+17 (8 Ranks, +4 CHA, +2 Deceptive) / +3 Fast Talk
Diplomacy +14/+17 (8 Ranks, +4 CHA, +2 Trustworthy) / +3 Fast Talk
Disguise +12 (6 Ranks, +4 CHA, +2 Deceptive)
Gather Information +12 (6 Ranks, +4 CHA, +2 Trustworthy)
Intimidate: +10 (6 Ranks, +4 CHA)
Knowledge: Civics +9 (6 Ranks, +2 INT, +1 Occupation)
Knowledge: Popular Culture +8 (6 Ranks, +2 INT)
Knowledge: Streetwise +8 (6 Ranks, +2 INT)
Profession: Lawyer +6 (6 Ranks, +0 WIS)
Sense Motive: +6 (6 ranks, +0 WIS)

Class Abilities
Conceal Motive: +(Negotiator Level) to oppose Sense Motive checks.
Dazzle: Using an attack action, apply a -1 penalty to an opponent's attack rolls, ability checks, skill checks, and saving throws for (Charismatic Level) rounds. Requires a DC 15 Charisma Check (+ Charismatic Level). If successful, the target resists with a Will Save (DC = 10 + Charismatic Level + Charisma Modifier).
Fast Talk: Apply Charismatic level as competence bonus on any Bluff, Diplomacy, or Gamble checks made to lie, cheat, or otherwise bend the truth.
React First: If the character is communicating with a potential enemy and hostilities break out (as long as the character does not start them), they gain a free readied action that can be either a Move Action or Attack Action before initiative is rolled.

Feats
Alertness: +2 to Listen & Spot Checks
Deceptive: +2 to Bluff & Disguise Checks
Improved Initiative: +4 to Initiative
Personal Firearms Proficiency: Use personal firearms without penalty
Simple Weapons Proficiency: Use Simple Weapons with no penalty
Trustworthy: +2 to Diplomacy & Gather Information Checks

Languages
English

[sblock]Future Planning: Cyril
L6 Glamourist 1
BAB +3, F/R/W: +4/+4/+4, DB: +3, Self-Confidence, Feat: ???
L7 Glamourist 2
BAB +4, F/R/W: +4/+5/+4, DB: +3, Hidden Motives[/sblock][/sblock]

[sblock=Cyril, the Psychic Wonder]
STR 8 (-1)
DEX 14 (+2)
CON 10 (+0)
INT 14 (+2)
WIS 10 (+0)
CHA 18 (+4)

Initiative: +6
Perception: +0
Defense: 14 (+2 DEX, + 2 Class)
HP: 22

FOR +2 (Base +2, +0 CON)
REF +4 (Base +2, +2 DEX)
WIL +4 (Base +4, +0 WIS)

BAB: +2

Class: Charismatic 3/Telepath 2
Experience: X,XXX
Starting Occupation: White Collar (Knowledge: Civics & Research)
Reputation Bonus: +3
Action Points: ??
Wealth Bonus: ??

Weapons
None

Skills
Bluff +14/+17 (8 Ranks, +4 CHA, +2 Deceptive)/+3 Fast Talk
Diplomacy +14/+17 (8 Ranks, +4 CHA, +2 Trustworthy)/+3 Fast Talk
Disguise +12 (6 Ranks, +4 CHA, +2 Deceptive)
Gather Information +14 (8 Ranks, +4 CHA, +2 Trustworthy)
Intimidate: +12 (8 Ranks, +4 CHA)
Knowledge: Civics +9 (6 Ranks, +2 INT, +1 Occupation)
Knowledge: Popular Culture +8 (6 Ranks, +2 INT)
Knowledge: Streetwise +8 (6 Ranks, +2 INT)
Profession: Lawyer +6 (6 Ranks, +0 WIS)
Sense Motive: +6 (6 Ranks, +0 WIS)

Class Features
Dazzle: Using an attack action, apply a -1 penalty to an opponent's attack rolls, ability checks, skill checks, and saving throws for (Charismatic Level) rounds. Requires a DC 15 Charisma Check ( + Charismatic Level). If successful, the target resists with a Will Save (DC = 10 + Charismatic Level + Charisma Modifier).
Fast Talk: Apply Charismatic level as competence bonus on any Bluff, Diplomacy, or Gamble checks made to lie, cheat, or otherwise bend the truth.
Psionic Skills: Psionic skills are available.
Psionic Powers: 10 Power Points/Day; Powers Known: (0) Daze, Far Hand, & Missive; (1) Attraction & Charm Person (5 Free 0-Level Manifestations/Day).
Trigger Power: Can attempt to manifest a power for no power point cost: Charm Person (DC 13 Charisma Check). If check fails, pay normal manifestation cost.

Feats
Deceptive: +2 to Bluff & Disguise Checks
Improved Initiative: +4 to Initiative
Personal Firearms Proficiency: Use Personal Firearms with no penalty
Simple Weapons Proficiency: Use Simple Weapons with no penalty
Trustworthy: +2 to Diplomacy & Gather Information Checks
Wild Talent: Manifest Burst (ML2) 3/day for no power point cost

Languages
English

[sblock=Future Planning: Cyril (Maybe)]
L6 Glamourist 1
L7 Glamourist 2[/sblock][/sblock]

Not sure which way I'm going yet. Both get me to Glamourist. Negotiator makes me slightly tougher. Telepath lets me keep most of my Charisma skills topped up and gives a variety of minor psychic powers. I think the latter is also a little more interesting from an RP perspective, especially if I tied Cyril's psychic awakening to the interaction with the BlueTooth headset.

I like psychic Cyril. I think he does much the same of what negotiator Cyril can do, only with a lot of added flouncy fun that'll serve you well when roleplaying. That said, you're a good enough roleplayer that you can make either version come alive.

Oh, and neither option you present gives Cyril anything beyond Perception +0, which keeps alive his rather unlucky streak when it comes to perceiving. FUN!

Did you see the Shadowjack? That one is also pretty interesting for a computer-based character.

All, for a full list of MSRD Advanced Classes, take a look at THESE. Any of them are be acceptable.

I did not see that! And it is pretty cool!

The only reason I hesitate is because while it really does make D0 a master hacker, it limits her to ONLY hacking. That might be a big limit. Not every situation is going to be one where hacking computers or devices is what we need.

I had this notion that Death Otter could frame 'magic' as a kind of 'reality hack,' at which point it becomes conceptually in-theme for her. Sort of like Neo's tricks in The Matrix.

Still, as long as I'm getting approval, CB if you wouldn't mind taking a look at Shadowjack too? It's a good backup option if you don't like TechnoMage.

Blargh! Enworld is getting REALLY squirrelly lately with its database errors!

If you took Techno Mage, are you going to want a homunculus? If so, what would the homunculus be? Some kind of gadget or electronic device, maybe? Oooo! Otter could be a "gadget singer." Someone really super duper good with tech, someone with the magic of electricity in their blood!

Either Techno Mage or Shadowjack is fine by me. Anything on the MSRD Advanced Class is ok to take. I admit I didn't vet everything on the page; I picked a few classes at random and skimmed, and didn't see anything that trigged DM regret. Admittedly, DM regret probably wouldn't be triggered until we get a few encounters under our belt. You guys are supposed to be the (anti-)heroes of the story, though, so I'm fine with unbalanced things creeping in here and there. The point is to have fun playing, after all. I posit that it's fun for players to have characters that are remarkable. So long as we do not wind up with one character with nothing or very little to contribute or who is consistently outshined, I'm ok with you guys making selections from the MSRD. Once everyone has updated their character in the RG, I'll have a look and see if I need to come up with inventive ways to add balance to even out the group.

I'm going to try to get my character leveled tomorrow night but if that doesn't happen, it'll be at least next weekend before I can get to it (potential jury duty on Wednesday).

Do your jury duty, lady, and do it with pride. I'm an advocate of people showing up for voir dire and, if chosen, serving diligently on juries. The courts really are VERY grateful to you for your service. You want to see a ticked-off judge? Mess with or be impolite to the jury. I hope you enjoy the opportunity to serve.

 

[CanadienneBacon]

Also, I sporadically get the Gateway 504 error message from EN World. Pages were either loading very slowly or not at all last night, so after forty minutes of sustained attempts to post I gave up and went to bed. Seems to be working just dandy this morning, however.

 

[Shayuri]

Yeah, I've been getting those too! Made getting caught up very irritating last night. :/

If you took Techno Mage, are you going to want a homunculus? If so, what would the homunculus be? Some kind of gadget or electronic device, maybe? Oooo! Otter could be a "gadget singer." Someone really super duper good with tech, someone with the magic of electricity in their blood!

You and I are thinking along similar lines.

And yes, the homunculus will deeeeeeefinitely be a 'digital' one. I have no idea how that works ruleswise, but I can totally see D0 investing a little lifeblood/power into an online avatar and bringing it to life.

Either Techno Mage or Shadowjack is fine by me. Anything on the MSRD Advanced Class is ok to take. I admit I didn't vet everything on the page; I picked a few classes at random and skimmed, and didn't see anything that trigged DM regret. Admittedly, DM regret probably wouldn't be triggered until we get a few encounters under our belt. You guys are supposed to be the (anti-)heroes of the story, though, so I'm fine with unbalanced things creeping in here and there. The point is to have fun playing, after all. I posit that it's fun for players to have characters that are remarkable. So long as we do not wind up with one character with nothing or very little to contribute or who is consistently outshined, I'm ok with you guys making selections from the MSRD. Once everyone has updated their character in the RG, I'll have a look and see if I need to come up with inventive ways to add balance to even out the group.

Death Otter's party role would be broadening a bit with access to spells, but that's pretty much the extent of it. I don't see her stepping on toes though, since you don't get many spells per day as a technomage, and she'd probably still tend to focus on technological things when and where she can. There's some pretty awesome technology-oriented spells that will be fun to see in action.

 

[Forged Fury]

Oh yeah, I think for the purpose of still being horribly unperceptive, I'll go with Telepath (Negotiator has the Alertness feat as a prerequisite which gives a +2 to Spot/Listen, which I assume rolls into a +2 Perception).

Quick Question: Does the book go into further detail about 0-level Psionic powers? I can't tell from the wording if you get (3+Psionic Class Level) free cumulative uses of 0-level powers or if you get (3+Psionic Class Level) free uses of each 0-level power you know. I'm thinking the former, but want to be sure.

I'm also getting a lot of 504 errors.

About the MSRD classes, some of them are intended for far future campaigns and may not be appropriate in this one. The EnWorld hosted MSRD breaks them up into their focus areas (Urban Arcana, D20 Future, Prime Directive, etc).

 

[CanadienneBacon]

Re: the book's detail about 0-level psionic powers, I'll have a look when I get home and get back to you. I'm not sure off the top of my head.

Re: the "far future" advanced classes, I noticed that, too. We won't see much advanced far-future sci-fi type stuff in this campaign, so those classes are, admittedly, less appropriate classes to take. But someone could re-skin the mechanics in the far-future stuff and probably wind up with a workable product. I would certainly be willing to entertain a discussion with anyone who fell in love with a far-future-type advanced class and wanted to re-work it so that it would fit with this game.

 

[CanadienneBacon]

And yes, the homunculus will deeeeeeefinitely be a 'digital' one.

OMG. TAMAGOTCHI for teh win.

 

[Shayuri]

Bahahaha...that would be pretty cool. A little gizmo she keeps it in, with a USB port so it can leave when she wants it to go forth and sow digital chaos. Which is a lot.

Okay, one possible problem; Techno Mage has a prereq I'm not sure she can meet; it requires Knowledge (Arcana) skill training. We haven't encountered magic yet, IC, so it feels a little funny to take that. I could set aside the required 6 ranks, with the idea that she'd be learning it asap upon learning of the existence of magic.

Alternatively, her version of 'magic' could be couched in technological terms, so her Knowledge: Arcana may not seem like it's about magic, but it turns out to be that.

I have this idea of a 'deep code,' the envisioning of magic as a primal programming of reality...an information substrate that underlies mass and energy, giving it its properties. Magic is then tampering with that substrate, altering the properties of matter and energy in the process.