The Unseen Servant forums

"Let teachers and philosophers brood over questions of reality and illusion. I know this: if life is illusion, then I am no less an illusion, and being thus, the illusion is real to me." -Conan by Robert E. Howard

Do you follow the thief weapon list from the PHB or UA? In other words, can thieves use short bows?

Zhym wrote:Do you follow the thief weapon list from the PHB or UA? In other words, can thieves use short bows?

PHB. No bows for thieves.

Also, here's a table summarizing the PC race options:

Thanks Zhym!

Inferno wrote:Thanks Zhym!

Yeah!

Inferno wrote: The spell, Know Alignment, doesn't exist.

And good ruling there! I hate that spell too. I think Gary put it in the game to make infiltrating the Vault of the Drow impossible.

I'm interested in playing a Bard, but the standard PH Bard does not start from the beginning of the play. Since you are offering it as a choice, can you explain how it works in your game?

Hi. Sorry that I was unclear.

Those aren't available options for start of play. They are racial restrictions. Not all races of men can become Bards. And some of those that can, have level restrictions.

Bards work as per the PHB.

Thanks.

Inferno wrote:Hi. Sorry that I was unclear.

Those aren't available options for start of play. They are racial restrictions. Not all races of men can become Bards. And some of those that can, have level restrictions.

Bards work as per the PHB.

Thanks.

... well then nevermind, because your four character arrays do not qualify for bard as per the PHB. So I'll pretend I don't see it and think of something else

D'oh! Missed that. Those are some pretty high requirements.

Let me think about some Bard house rules for you.

You could give us each some points to allocate as we like to add to the stock attribute sets we choose from. To avoid maxing out attributes, it could be a scaled system. For example, bringing a stat to 15 or lower costs 1 point per point, 16-17 costs two per point, and the bump from 17 to 18 would cost four points.

That would allow people to build bard-capable PCs and for others to improve their PCs a bit too.

Just a thought.

Thanks, Zhym. But I'm afraid that still wouldn't reach the Bard's lofty prerequisites.

So, I'll do the following:

Bard's prerequisite scores are now: Cha of 14, Wis and Dex of 12, Int and Str of 10.

Also, the Barbarian's prerequisites will now be Str of 15, Con and Dex of 13.

I'll add this to the House Rules chapter. Thanks.

Inferno wrote:Thanks, Zhym. But I'm afraid that still wouldn't reach the Bard's lofty prerequisites.

So, I'll do the following:

Bard's prerequisite scores are now: Cha of 14, Wis and Dex of 12, Int and Str of 10.

Also, the Barbarian's prerequisites will now be Str of 15, Con and Dex of 13.

I'll add this to the House Rules chapter. Thanks.

Thanks Inferno. I've never seen anyone level up enough in a play-by-post game to achieve level 1 of the PHB bard class. Typically people like to go to fighter 7 to get 3/2 and the extra proficiency, then switch to thief until 9 to get quadruple damage backstab, then go to Bard. Of course you can switch over earlier and get it done I think fighter 5 / thief 6 is the minimum without looking at the books. Typical pbp advancement is 1 level per year. So unless you plan for this game to advance much faster than that, I think I will stick with my Atlantean spell-caster who starts with 4 spells.

By the way, why is there a sub-folder with my name on it?

Everyone will have access to private forums.

Okay. I'm also wondering have you heard of the 1E variant Astonishing Swordsmen and Sorcerers of Hyperborea?

Yes, thanks. Only good things.

But I didn't think I could handle a new 230+ page system, so went with 1e, which I'm already familiar with and nostalgia for.

Is dual-classing possible? I.e., if we somehow get to the point where level limits matter, can a PC change to a new class or is it stuck at that class and level forever?

Oh, and does the Northmen's bonus to hit with swords include scimitars?

Dual classing is possible as per the PHB. All Races of Men may dual class, unless they've already multi-classed.

Between 'Lost City' and 'Pharaoh' I have enough material to get PCs to 7th level at least. I had nothing better to do for the next 6 years anyway.

Scimitars follow the letter of the law but not the spirit. I'll allow it for your druid.

Inferno wrote:Between 'Lost City' and 'Pharaoh' I have enough material to get PCs to 7th level at least. I had nothing better to do for the next 6 years anyway.

I like to know that we're all in this for the long haul! Hopefully Garrin's bones won't become bleached in the desert wastes...

No promises, Mant.

Character ideas are looking good so far. A good balance.

Still awaiting a few other PCs. Once they voice a preference for class or race, or provide a sheet, I'll add it there.

Mant72: your Atlantean Paladin is approved, once you correct the encumbrance typo on the front sheet.
Zhym: your Cimmerian Druid looks great so far.

Once all sheets are completed, including inventory and encumbrance, I'll approve them and we'll get started!