JollyDoc's Shackled City

[PugioilAudacio]

Just to clarify, I am not saying that the guy playing the barbarian is a 'twink' or anything. He's made a very solid character, and he is taking advantage of some module specific circumstances. Problem is, the DM has lost any modicum of control on the situation, and apparently doesn't have the wherewithal or the desire to get the ship righted.

How do you stop the raging engine of melee death? There are so many ways. The previously stated Will save spells, an invisible flying wizard raining cones of cold on his face, or a huge constrictor snake with improved grab. The DM should use something along these lines. Not to chastise the melee-beast player, mind you, but to allow the other players to join in and contribute as well.

Actually, the players don't seem to feel that they're not getting a chance to contribute. However, they have expressed dislike for the way things are. They haven't been able to pin down the source but, now that I think of it, maybe that's it.

As for current group consistency:
(I think everyone's about 10th level)
Elven Cleric
Human Sorcerer
Human Wizard
Human Paladin
Halfling Rogue
THE Melee Killer
Pixie Rouge 4 (Me The only 8th level, almost 9)

As you can see, the group is very large right now. The DM is constantly having to up the encounter levels. (Which the melee man mows through).

I actually made the pixie very recently. He uses some interesting tricks to take down enemies. As I said, I generally go for interesting over power. Though there's no reason why I can't do both I guess.

EDIT: Forgot to ask - our DM says that all the damage that the weapons took from the Babau can be healed by a few mend spells. I'm almost sure there's something not right about this...

 

[Lela]

What style of Cleric is the Elf?

 

[Joachim]

EDIT: Forgot to ask - our DM says that all the damage that the weapons took from the Babau can be healed by a few mend spells. I'm almost sure there's something not right about this...

Not Mending. Mending is limited to 1 lb. or smaller items. Make Whole (2nd level clerical spell) heals the damage, but only if the item hasn't been completely melted (i.e. melted to 0 hp or less). If it is simply broken (such as sundered) it will repair it. Even then, it doesn't restore magical ability to a broken item (in other words, a magic sword that gets sundered and then Made Whole reforms into masterwork sword, nothing more). All of this assumes he hasn't changed the rules himself.

 

[JollyDoc]

Wow...such a plethora of stimulating conversation, mixed in with a nice blend of bitching) True enough, Joachim and Gfunk keep me on my toes, but it makes for a better game all around, and forces me to work harder to balance a challenging game with one that still fun to play.

As to this Ftr/Brb situation, I have to agree with Joachim about your DM losing control and catering to the players. Plus, your parties too large. In a module designed for four, to have 7 means you really, really have to ramp up the CR on encounters. Also, in the Abyss, simplest way to deal with a damage machine...Blasphemy...back to your home plane, leaving your buddies at the mercy of the Hezrou/Glabrezu, whatever.
Also, your story illustrates why I never play with young players or family members (with the exception of Wathros/Lee, my ex-husband-in-law...ie...my ex-wife's husband, whom I don't mind killing on a regular basis ) Just kidding Lee...sort of).

 

[PugioilAudacio]

Wow...such a plethora of stimulating conversation, mixed in with a nice blend of bitching) True enough, Joachim and Gfunk keep me on my toes, but it makes for a better game all around, and forces me to work harder to balance a challenging game with one that still fun to play.

As to this Ftr/Brb situation, I have to agree with Joachim about your DM losing control and catering to the players. Plus, your parties too large. In a module designed for four, to have 7 means you really, really have to ramp up the CR on encounters. Also, in the Abyss, simplest way to deal with a damage machine...Blasphemy...back to your home plane, leaving your buddies at the mercy of the Hezrou/Glabrezu, whatever.
Also, your story illustrates why I never play with young players or family members (with the exception of Wathros/Lee, my ex-husband-in-law...ie...my ex-wife's husband, whom I don't mind killing on a regular basis ) Just kidding Lee...sort of).

I quite agree on all counts. However, this is the only gaming group in the area that I have time for.


Lela - The cleric is a ranged attack cleric. Other than that he doesn't specialize in anything much. He uses the flaming bow from the erinye.

 

[Elemental]

Tome & Blood has a series of 'Repair X damage." spells, that restore the HP of constructs or objects, on the same scale as cleric Cure spells do to living beings.

 

[Neverwinter Knight]

As you can see, the group is very large right now. The DM is constantly having to up the encounter levels. (Which the melee man mows through).

I don't think the group is too large (of course a larger group means a bigger challenge & more work for the DM). Still, there are many different ways of scaling the adventure. I had a similar problem with Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil (8 players), but managed to balance it by not simply increasing the number of creatures (cannonfodder for your tank), but adding a mix of unique NPCs (humanoids and templated monsters). Since they were custom-made to fit to the party, all PCs got their challenges.

As for current group consistency:
(I think everyone's about 10th level)
Elven Cleric
Human Sorcerer
Human Wizard
Human Paladin
Halfling Rogue
THE Melee Killer
Pixie Rouge 4 (Me The only 8th level, almost 9)

How's the paladin doing? I'd guess he feels somewhat useless compared to the tank...

Also, your story illustrates why I never play with young players or family members (with the exception of Wathros/Lee, my ex-husband-in-law...ie...my ex-wife's husband, whom I don't mind killing on a regular basis ) Just kidding Lee...sort of).

Woha, had to read that bit twice... First understood Lee was your ex-husband...
That teaches me not to read SHs in the morning before my first cup of coffee.

 

[Ghostknight]

I quite agree on all counts. However, this is the only gaming group in the area that I have time for.

I can see why he has let things get out of hand. Not to be unfair to eleven year olds, but at that age most gamers are munchkins, looking gor the most powerful characters, competitive towards other players "My sword is bigger than yours" type mentality etc. Not their fault but rather a developmental thing. The father has two options - cater to this style, keep the kids happy and playing - or try to enforce a more mature style and possibly lose the interest of the kids.

He has chosen to go the route of catering to the kids, but this makes it unfortunate for the other members of the group who don't like this style of play, a pity if there are no other gaming options available.

 

[Lela]

Woha, had to read that bit twice... First understood Lee was your ex-husband...
That teaches me not to read SHs in the morning before my first cup of coffee.

You're not alone NWK. I did the same.

 

[catdragon]

Whoo-hoo!

I just finished reading through this entire thread. Wow! the fun, the excitement, the evilness... great job to everyone who takes part, players to GM, NPCs to PCs.

I'm running the series right now myself, my players and i are still in the very first module, paused right after jumping all over the four hobgoblin guards at the "front" of the Malachite Fortress.

BTW, anyone have a problem with a citiadel made out of a semi-precious stone? I changed to to micachite, a rare dwarvish building material that comes from deep in the earth in my campagn.

As to the players, heres the roster:

halfling bard/rogue with low wisdom
dwarven fighter working toward dwarvish defender
half-orc druid/barbarian with a thing for snakes
human female cleric of Kord
human fighter taking the archer route
elven male swashbuckler/wizard (yes, from the Complete Warrior)

Of the group, the player that plays the elf sw/wiz is the only true powergamer, and he's pretty good. He often does things that I missed and sucker punches me (only once though!)

None of the characters have died yet, but the rogue has been sneak-attacked more times than anyone else -- man, those dark creepers and skulks can sneak!

Anyhow, i am sure that i will be posting more now that i have finally caught up.

CatDragon