Carrion Crown AP (Savage Stampede) - OOC

[rangerjohn]

The biggest thing that irritates me as player is I feel like floatsm on the sea. No connection to anything, no reason to care about anything but myself. Also as I've said no reason to stick around, other than the funeral which it doesn't look like is going to happen.

On something only related peripherally to this adventure, it seems there is a bad or underused mechanic involving charisma. Other than sorcerer, bard, or paladin, I can think of no use for charisma. All the other stats have a use for all characters. Other than those characters there is no reason not to put lowest score there. There is no drawback. What you get a penalty to a roll you could never make anyhow? I have my second highest score and one of my best rolls and still fail. The only use this character will ever see out of that score is extra channelings. Which could be better accomplished with a feat.


As for Zeldana let's see, we have an ass, blasphemers, idiots, the list goes on.

 

[renau1g]

blasphemers? idiots? I've only seen hero's PC be somewhat of an ass, but he's explained why (and my PC knows his)

 

[Herobizkit]

@rangerjohn , as a player, I would suggest finding your own reasons to 'belong'. The DM can only do so much given we're at the very start of a pre-written adventure. @HolyMan asked us for ways to tie ourselves to the game world, and gave us a few on his own (specifically the spice item).

I know you were having many issues with your character design, and you eventually settled (?) on a Priestess of Pharasma build. You also built being an orphan into your back story, which has the unfortunate side-effect of making your past somewhat unclear.

At the moment, the only thing tying our characters together is the Professor, and that's what we (as players) accept as story fiat - ie. if we do not accept that we are together for the Professor's sake, there is no story, or the DM has to re-invent the wheel to make a reason.

I say be patient, allow the story to unfold, and think more on your character. While your character doesn't like her immediate company, there is a reason she and the others will have to stick together - none of us knows what that is... yet.

As for Zeldana let's see, we have an ass, blasphemers, idiots, the list goes on.

Based on that statement, I (the player, as if I were reading a story) might assume that Zeldana has a very narrow view of the world at large. Her life was first spent on the streets, then in a convent dedicated to death, and now here. Zeldana seems as bigoted as the people she accuses of bigotry.

From what I've seen, through Zeldana's eyes, is thus:
A Human Paladin of Justice who trips over his own words
A polite man who fancies the Professor's daughter
A soft-spoken Northern Barbarian
A blue Dwarf who's dwarf-like.
An uncharacteristically polite Bugbear
a crass, loudmouthed ass of a Duergar (who are, by nature, crass asses)

With the exception of my Duergar, everyone has been the picture of politeness. And yet, they're all idiots?

I don't follow.

 

[rangerjohn]

That was Zeldana speaking, she know nothing of typos for one thing. Also the ass has down trodden the dead. True no more than anything else, but she is a follower of Pharasma. The idiots are the ones the party is trying to deal with, the villagers. Although some of the party's actions could fall there as well, including Zeldana's.

 

[Herobizkit]

Lol OhhhHHhhhhHH....

I honestly can't tell the difference when you, the player, and you, the character, are venting their frustrations, or what they're venting them at.

Re: Charisma. Based on what you were telling me about your character, I do recall suggesting Bard on several occasions.

 

[rangerjohn]

Maybe Zeldana is not right for this game. As for back story and reason to be there there was one. Perhaps just not clearly stated and not likely to be met.

She is an orphan who has been accepted for herself in only two instances one relationship was the Professor, the other was the church. She is even unbeknownst to herself, looking for a surrogate family. Not someone out to use her for her talents. This 'group' doesn't seem to want anyone much less her.

Between mechanics and stats, this is going to relegate her to healbot. She's not built to be a frontline fighter and D&D for better or for worse, is designed for that to be the optimal solution to all problems.

 

[Herobizkit]

Between mechanics and stats, this is going to relegate her to healbot. She's not built to be a frontline fighter and D&D for better or for worse, is designed for that to be the optimal solution to all problems.

D&D is designed to be a TEAM sport. Clerics are the second-best warriors of the three base types. Not everyone needs to be a front-line fighter to contribute.

From our past conversations about your character-building process, I did voice the opinion that a Bard might better suit your concept... Rogues and Clerics have the same attack progression. You were encouraged to be a priest based on the DM's perceived need of one.

You are more than capable of wearing whatever armor and weapons are available to you. You won't be able to slog out the damage that a Warrior might, but hey, you're not a Warrior.

From a RP perspective, Zeldana is looking for a surrogate family, and our group is what she's got.

EDIT: Just re-read your character. You have an 18 AC, armed with a weapon that does 1d8+1 damage. You're more than capable of being a front-line fighter.

 

[rangerjohn]

Based on that statement, I (the player, as if I were reading a story) might assume that Zeldana has a very narrow view of the world at large. Her life was first spent on the streets, then in a convent dedicated to death, and now here. Zeldana seems as bigoted as the people she accuses of bigotry.

From what I've seen, through Zeldana's eyes, is thus:
A Human Paladin of Justice who trips over his own words
A polite man who fancies the Professor's daughter
A soft-spoken Northern Barbarian
A blue Dwarf who's dwarf-like.
An uncharacteristically polite Bugbear
a crass, loudmouthed ass of a Duergar (who are, by nature, crass asses)

With the exception of my Duergar, everyone has been the picture of politeness. And yet, they're all idiots?

I don't follow.

In that as in all things you would be at least partially correct. The problems is who is standing out in the scene? The ass, and this is her only problem with the Duergar, not his alignment or relegion. Shows how flawed she is, willing to sell out her own relegion to be accepted. Most others have either faded into the background of the moment or stood out for negative reasons.

 

[Herobizkit]

In that as in all things you would be at least partially correct. The problems is who is standing out in the scene? The ass, and this is her only problem with the Duergar, not his alignment or relegion. Shows how flawed she is, willing to sell out her own relegion to be accepted. Most others have either faded into the background of the moment or stood out for negative reasons.

I (the player) don't see Zeldana as selling out her religion.

Many of Pharasma's worshipers are those closely aligned with either burgeoning life or terminating death. These include midwives, grave diggers, and morticians. Her priests are typically clerics, diviners, and necromancers that choose not to create undead. Her followers view the undead with hatred and consider them a great abomination. They view putting the undead to rest as a holy duty. The creation of undead is outlawed, and commanding undead is not much liked either.

If anything, her willingness to deal with the ignorant townsfolk interfering wit a holy ritual is a strength, not a sell-out.

Heck, even the Goddess herself is pretty chill.

Pharasma remains neutral in almost all aspects towards other deities. Iomedae still bears a slight grudge against her for not revealing Aroden's impending death. Urgathoa and her followers are the closest she has to an enemy.

 

[HolyMan]

Hmmm interesting conversation going on here. And I hate to jump in the middle of it but what I think is Zeldana has the most room for character growth. Which is a big plus as I see it.

We can't help the family we are born to. And Zeldana can't help the surgate family she is thrown in with. Remember Pharasma is also the goddess of fate and prophesy not just death (although that is all anyone ever really sees).

You will have a real chance to RP some snips at other characters. A real Spock/McCoy relationship with the duergar after you have adventured together a little while.

It is true what you say about CHA as it relates to most classes crunch wise but I use it as an RP tool mostly. And your failed Diplomacy check was only off by one (same as if you swing and miss by one it happens). You will get more chances to use it I am sure.

And everyone is a front line fighter compared to these thugs you will all see soon as I get a Combat stats chart up.

I think it is great that Zeldana has reservations about this group and what is in store for them it will make for some great reading as you play it out.

HM