[Epic D&D] Peace No More (Full-Again)

[Guilt Puppy]

Sounds nifty. Jemal, you have anything in mind for party-history, or is that up to us?

To get that ball rolling, character I'm planning right now is a Cleric, focused on undead... I've done a lot of "hunter-of-the-undead" types before (always for games that never get off the ground), but they've always been dark figures in-and-of-themselves -- I think it would be interesting to go for the more classical style (which is, curiously enough, more new to me). Keeping the general personality I had planned beforehand (humble, wise, yet still very set in his ways.)

While focused on undead, I'm not planning on totally dedicating the character to that aspect of the game -- it's just his main theme, and he's equally interested in healing, preserving the cause of good, et cetera... (Going with Pelor, or someone similar if we're using a different pantheon). So his role in the party will be easy enough, and his reasons for traveling can be as simple as "for the cause of good."

Switching topics: I'll admit this is my first go at epic levels. Any criteria for what qualifies as a survivable 32nd level character? Can you get away with having weaknesses (for instance, clunking around in full-plate?)... I tried putting together a Monk/Cleric initially, but found myself getting too caught up in trying to be as well-rounded as possible (huge AC, huge saves, skills, et cetera), and ending up with a character I didn't have a really good feel for. Mainly, I'm just intimidated by the unknown territory -- just wondering which priorities become most important at that level in terms of staying alive and staying effective.

 

[Arknath]

Arknath - Unless you (Or whoever ends up playing the cohort) are planning to keep him/her COMPLETELY out of the combat, s/he'll die in the first combat encounter if s/he's lvl 15 vs CR 30+ creatures/characters. I'm not trying to tel you what to do, just warning you.

*blink* I didn't know that he had written that...Emerald...WHAT ARE YOU THINKING, MAN??? Seriously, do us both a favor and push him up a little in levels...ask Jemal what he wants you at...I won't have my buddy/cousin/brother dying the first time we face an effigy..

Unlike Constitution, Intelligence Increases are NOT retroactive, they begin working on Skill points when they are acrued, not before, so you'll have to keep track of which lvls you increase your int at. ALSO, only Permanent Intelligence increases (Wishes, Tomes, Lvl bonus) affect Skill points, not Temporary Magic (IE Headband of Intellect).[/b]

Gotcha. I knew that it wasn't retroactive, but some people like to do that in their game...so I wanted to make sure.

Wild Shape supresses magical effects from items, yes, but only for items that affect your physical being (enhancement bonuses to STR/Con/Dex, Armour, etc). Other stuff SHOULD keep working such as skill bonuses and so forth, but I'ld need examples if you wanted to know abou anything specific. [/B]

I'll get some specific stuff for ya and see what I can come up with. Pleasure workin with ya...really..

 

[Arknath]

To get that ball rolling, character I'm planning right now is a Cleric, focused on undead... I've done a lot of "hunter-of-the-undead" types before (always for games that never get off the ground), but they've always been dark figures in-and-of-themselves -- I think it would be interesting to go for the more classical style (which is, curiously enough, more new to me). Keeping the general personality I had planned beforehand (humble, wise, yet still very set in his ways.)

While focused on undead, I'm not planning on totally dedicating the character to that aspect of the game -- it's just his main theme, and he's equally interested in healing, preserving the cause of good, et cetera... (Going with Pelor, or someone similar if we're using a different pantheon). So his role in the party will be easy enough, and his reasons for traveling can be as simple as "for the cause of good."

Good idea...! My druid is a savage fellow, really. While highly wise and intelligent, he is extremly tough (you'll see what I mean when I post the char). He relies heavily on his shapeshifting abilities and the summoning of animal creatures in order to enforce and defend nature itself. While abrupt and generally quiet, this half-elf is a very charismatic leader when it comes to those things that he truly cares about. He lacks quite a bit in the physical department, however, again, his shapeshifting abilities more than make up for it.

Switching topics: I'll admit this is my first go at epic levels. Any criteria for what qualifies as a survivable 32nd level character? Can you get away with having weaknesses (for instance, clunking around in full-plate?)... I tried putting together a Monk/Cleric initially, but found myself getting too caught up in trying to be as well-rounded as possible (huge AC, huge saves, skills, et cetera), and ending up with a character I didn't have a really good feel for. Mainly, I'm just intimidated by the unknown territory -- just wondering which priorities become most important at that level in terms of staying alive and staying effective.

In my experience (which is little) with epic games, it really depends on where you plan to be when things get heated. If you are a fighter/melee type of person, armor and attack bonus are primary. If you are a spellcaster or a ranged person, saves should be your bread and butter. Of course, it's just one man's opinion...

 

[Jemal]

Arknath - The reason Emerald posted to play your lvl 15 character is b/c of your post saying:

I'll be needing a cohort at level 15...just to let you know...

Your cohorts lvl will depend on your leadership score, which I'll work out when your char's Charisma is decided.

GPuppy - Two things to say.
First thing : I... HATE... YOU... (J/K) Undead happen to be my Specialty (specifically vampires/liches), so that should be a very effective character.

Second Thing: One of the MAIN things you need is saves... At Epic lvls, Mages can end combats (and end lives) very quickly. As such, that's always a problem.

And to all: Party History is in your hands, but if you have any specific questions or want opinions from me, just ask.

 

[Arknath]

Arknath - The reason Emerald posted to play your lvl 15 character is b/c of your post saying:



quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'll be needing a cohort at level 15...just to let you know...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LOL...I see where the confusion is...I meant I'll be taking the feat at level 15...so the experience between 32 and 15 should be halved to find out the level...I'll figure out the level and give it to ya in a while...sorry about the confusion...

OK, I'll go with lvl 32 then.

Char Creation:
lvl: 32. That lets you all look forward to gaining a feat when you lvl up.

33 when you lvl up.

XP: Enough to put you halfway between Lvl 33 and lvl 34.

Equipment: as per the ELH for lvl 33.

Am I just being stupid...? Which is it? 32 or 33?

Oh, and since I'm posting...I'm looking for items that will work in wild shape...so you say that things that effect my physical abilities and AC won't function? What if I'm in Elemental form? I'm looking for things like armor, weapons (i know neither will function, but the amount of money spent on them is crucial) rings, and wondrous items (namely wis and cha). I'm pretty sure cloaks won't work (would look silly) and other parts of the wondrous item category (helm, vestments, robes, etc.) is what I'm unsure about. Also, are you going to allow the stacking of abilities on items? (say a +8 pair of Gloves of Epic Dex and Con for 1.28 mil)...

Another thing...damn, I'm involved, eh? I'm thinking about creating an intelligent staff...would that be ok and if so, what do i need to know about it (house rule-wise)?

Sorry to be a pest...just trying to get it right the first time...

 

[Guilt Puppy]

Arknath: The level stuff was a typo (it's been clarified)

Yet another nagging question... Age? It seems wrong to play a level 32 character that's not even middle age... I'd prefer to play a character in his late 50s, even if you treat that as a purely cosmetic change (ie ignore aging effects.) In any case, let me know where you stand on that.

"GPuppy - Two things to say.
First thing : I... HATE... YOU... (J/K) Undead happen to be my Specialty (specifically vampires/liches), so that should be a very effective character."

Nifty I'd hate to play this kind of character and never see a nice, climactic battle versus undead (especially hordes... I think the heart of my character concept is just the mental image of coming upon a great sea of undead, and parting the waters by the hand of Pelor )

Back to party history...

I think there's something to be said for the "coming out of retirement" campaign hook. Sollir's char might summon us all for reason-yet-unknown (this is based on the broadest of assumptions, as it seems like the Wizard of the party would be most likely to find out when some arcane thing goes wrong)... This assumes we haven't adventured together for a few years, which resolves two conflicting issues (A, it's odd for a bunch of really accomplished folk to randomly assemble and adventure, but B, we'll need some in-game time to get acquainted with each others' characters -- this way, we can pass that off as getting re-acquainted.)

That "catching-up" phase can also help establish some extra character history, and personality (for instance, I'll probably have spent the last few years at a monastery, growing peas.) Also gives us a unique opportunity to pre-establish some NPC relationships (ie, make Jemal's job easier ), as most of us will probably be well-respected within our given circles.

I think it might be useful if we each gave a general statement of our characters' motivations. For instance, mine would see the simple life as the highest aspiration -- to be neglected only to guard it from the insidious forces of evil. The beginning of every quest is marked by the dusting of cobwebs from armor -- and victory is celebrated by locking it away again. That sort of thing.

Et tu?

 

[Calim]

Space

If you got space for either another player or another cohort, I would like to throw my Hat in. I have been DM'ing a pbp on another board for sometime and would like to actually play in one now. Character wise I was thinking half 20 levels of cleric and 12 levels of Paladin or an Transmuter or if your willing the Witch class from the DMG. I am also willing to play a cohort of whatever level, I would just need to now the relationship that is supposed to be between me and my "Leader".

 

[perivas]

Re: Space

Character wise I was thinking half 20 levels of cleric and 12 levels of Paladin or an Transmuter or if your willing the Witch class from the DMG.

I like your witch idea, Calim. I don't think that I will be taking epic leadership, as having another 30+ level character as a cohort run by another player is really just like having another full player character in the group. On the other hand, Jemal is right about survivability. So how about a 20.999th level witch, who is my niece/nephew and about to embark onto epic levels! As for myself, I'll be playing a 7th level paladin/25th level sorceror in his golden days. What do you think?

 

[Calim]

Which Witch is Which

Sounds great Perivas I will get to work on him her it and post later today

If that is cool with Jemal

 

[djrdjmsqrd]

Question.

Is this game still open?