At the Adventurers' Table

[Sherwood]

Thanks for the map. Helps to give an idea on where everyone is. A quick mechanics question; is Powerpaw close enough to Luna that when I cast Haste, is he within range of the spell? If not, would a move action before I cast be enough to put everyone in the effect of the spell?

 

[Kaerri]

Careful with them move actions, that could just get Luna surrounded in melee again.

 

[Sherwood]

I just want to make sure that everyone gets the benefit of the Haste spell when I cast it.

 

[Purr]

Excellent question and at the moment, the answer is yes (and barely, at that!). Now it all depends on who moves where before Luna's turn. =)

 

[Wolf Rawrrr]

I like your sketch, Dann, but it could use some improvements *rawrrr* ( )


how about dis: (here be da link, mon...)


picture is pretty big... make sure you are viewing it at 100% for maximum pleasure *rawrrr intensifies*


Never made a serious attempt at a realistic battle map. Stuff I do for Amaranth is just basic symbols, but that's also why it takes minutes and not hours ( ). It would be even better if this old Wolf could make a semi-decent piece of graphic himself, instead of having to patchwork random pics off the net. RIP copyrights. Ach, you get the picture (pun intended). Refer to Dannigan's earlier post for map legend. Unit placement and scale should be near one hundred percent accurate *woof*


Oh and, if you wanna use it I can just send you the .png file with all the layerworks so you can literally move the tokens around and then export a .jpg to be uploaded for us to see after each round. It's really not that complicated, but you will need something better than MS Paint, ha ha (^.^)


p.s. I had no idea just how fucked we are until I saw this map done. I guess it's because the ogres look more lifelike

 

[Purr]

Improvements? Of course it can... I am *no* artist. =)


Please send me the file along with what program you're using (or would recommend)? That battle-map is incredibly-good compared to what I can offer on Paint... Thanks for making it happen, Wolf! =)

 

[Sherwood]

I just keep telling myself, "Cast Haste first! It will help everyone in the group! Then you can look for targets of opportunity for a well-placed Fireball."

 

[Wolf Rawrrr]

Original .png available for download here: http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?file_id=00977767328180195727


I am using Fireworks but it's not a free software (not that it stopped me or could you). Gimp is a popular alternative that can handle png files as well. I don't know how familiar you are with that stuff but you should understand what layers are in images *woof* But yes mainly you can just drag and drop or remove and copy/paste the tokens and afterwards save the result as a .jpg (because that's a smaller size format, just make sure not to lose your .png because that's the file you keep editing and .jpgs are just for viewing).


You could also look into Pathfinder map creators online. There are some good ones. What I'm doing is very raw and basic in comparison, but does allow for far more freedom in return.

 

[Purr]

I am not familiar at all with any type of image-changing software. But I can change that... =)


Any particular places you would recommend getting Fireworks (or Gimp, etc.)?


Or perhaps I should look into the Pathfinder map creators instead... Choices!


But first - dinner. =)

 

[Sherwood]

Who are we holding on for initiative? I want to beat up some bad guys and hit my next level!

 

[Purr]

Your storyteller, that's who. =) He just got home and needs sleep. Posting tomorrow! Have a great night! =)

 

[Wolf Rawrrr]

I am not familiar at all with any type of image-changing software. But I can change that... =)
Any particular places you would recommend getting Fireworks (or Gimp, etc.)?


Or perhaps I should look into the Pathfinder map creators instead... Choices!


But first - dinner. =)

Well... I use Fireworks because I used to be into web design and it is a program primarily used by web designers (those that don't use Photoshop. You can get either of those from any torrent community if you want, but definitely do not buy them. Especially Photoshop. For what you are looking to do, it would be like buying a Lamborghini to drive it once a day to the general store behind the corner and back.


I heartily recommend Gimp (though I rarely used it but that's just because I am used to Fireworks). Gimp can be downloaded from the official website for free, just google it. Another alternative is to get Paint.NET which is also free for download from the official site. It might be a bit more appealing to you because it is essentially a more advanced version of Paint.


All mentioned programs will allow you to manipulate layers. Layers let you put stuff one onto another without losing what got buried beneath. In Paint when you draw object B over object A then object A is lost. With layers the program will remember what is what and where, and so you can create more easily. When I get home today I'll see if I can make a short tutorial video especially for you to showcase exactly how you can edit the map I made to follow each round of combat.


I never tried any online map creators but for me they were often a trade off of sorts. They limit you to work within the frame of the software but make that work easy. With an image editing software you have near limitless freedom but it takes more effort to do things. Sometimes. Hard to explain if you've never dipped a toe (at least!) In those waters *woof*

 

[killfire]

That was my plan too. That's the way I've run it in previous games and the method has long felt right to me.
 
Wow. Friends, we have 150 pages of Adventurers' Table... 8D


Let's "celebrate" with my first battle map (drawn with Paint, and oh, how I wish I had a graph). =)

Spoiler

Notes: The long rectangle is the Adventurers' Wagon. Behind (south) of it is Bren's warhorse, Star, followed by The-Wagon-Formerly-Known-As-The-Prison-Wagon. =)


Each horse (including Star) occupies a 5 foot wide by 10 foot long area.


Each ogre occupies a 10 x 10 foot square.


Mamapaw and her cage occupy a 10 x 10 foot square.


Powerpaw (always) occupies a 10 x 10 foot square.


Each Painless occupies a 5 x 5 foot square.


The six ogres that have just burst from the woods are heading eastbound toward the Adventurers' Wagon. Otherwise, you have a mad melee going on between Powerpaw, Mamapaw, and all of the Painless.


The Wanderers are, of course, collected around the drivers' area of the Adventurers' Wagon. This includes Stewart, but not the Meadowsweets (who are inside with your animal buddies/familiar).


Questions?


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Um yeah where the heck am I? I'm Guessing at "The Forge Wagon"?

 

[Purr]

Bronze was last near the Forge Wagon. I was not going to have him engage in this combat unless met with the criteria you proposed.

 

[killfire]

(Thumbs up) Arm the Fluff-ton-torpedoes! (This heavily fluffy weapon fires fluffy pillows at [insert ungodly speed here] and when they hit... they do NO DAMAGE! Just silly poofy feathers everywhere!) One Day I'll have to tell you all about my Famoose "T.U.G." weapon. The only weapon you want your ENEMY to have.

 

[Purr]

=)


 
@Captain Hesperus Otiorin and Powerpaw rolled the same result. As established party members, the two of them can select who goes first. What order would you rather they go in?

 

[Sherwood]

Who has the higher dexterity? I usually go with that first, then if they are the same, a roll off.


See "Initiative among established party members." =)

 

[Purr]

This is a House Rule, good Sherwood. =)

 

[Sherwood]

Ah, so it is. In that case, I would place the player character in first, followed by the NPC. Of course, if Captain Hesperus has a different preference, so be it.

 

[Purr]

Yeah. That's why I left it up to him. Team tactics requires team communication and all that. =)


 
Going back to the Initiative situation for a moment... the ogres have also wound up with a result of 10. Now, I bring the Pathfinder rule of Dexterity in Initiative into play. And since ogres are much slower than rogue/sorcerers and large cats... =)

 

[Sherwood]

At least Luna will get her Haste spell off before Powerpaw goes; I see him as being a big furry blender chewing up the bad guys that have his mom.

 

[Captain Hesperus]

I'm happy to let the big kitty go first, then I can see what my options are.


Captain Hesperus

 

[Purr]

He's certainly going to try his hardest. It's painful to see him going through this, but if he gets his Mom back, that's a big game-changer for your Kitty-face friend. In more ways than one... The question is: Will it happen?


 
O.K. Cap'n. Otiorin will go after Powerpaw (I thought you might do this - Rogue-players tend to want to have others position themselves so they can take full advantage of openings and the like). =)

 

[Sherwood]

We will certainly do our best to give him a happy reunion. Just so long as she doesn't try to eat us non-kitty faces.

 

[Purr]

Hah! He hasn't yet in past games, but that might be Bria's doing (Sample scene. Bria: "Don't nom us! We're your friends!" Powerpaw licks Bria across the cheek: "Never happens, Bria. Moar!" Bria gives Powerpaw a big hug. "Yay! I love you, Fuzzy Goof!").


Note: If the item-in-hand description is incorrect (in parenthesis), please inform your Friendly Neighborhood Storyteller. =)


Combat initiative order:


20 - The Painless (Painless 1 through 4, including Gerran, and his battle mage).


15 - Bria (Ring of Force Shield active. Wearing Amulet of Mielikki. In fighting stance. Unarmed).


14 - Luna (Sparkle status: Asleep inside the Adventurers' Wagon. Luna is wearing Bria's Glamered armor, and Luna's Ring of Protection +1 and Ring of Deflection +2. Unarmed).


12 - Powerpaw (using Maul +2 and has lost his marbles until further notice).


11 - Otiorin (using Moonlit Edge +2).


10 - 10 Ogres (armed with greatclubs).


9 - Bren (using Battle axe +2 and heavy metal shield).


1 - Wolf (using Longbow +2. Pecker status: Asleep inside the Adventurers' Wagon).


Situation: Upon learning that his very own mother is the bloodied and battered captive of the Painless, Powerpaw has flown a one-way trip into a bloody, mind-cracking, battle rage. This sudden change of events has caught both the Wanderers and the Painless off guard. Time will tell who walks away from this battle...


EDIT: Note on the battle-map. At the start of Initiative, the only change to the battle-map is that Powerpaw should be 5 feet east of where his marker currently is (Powerpaw, like the ogres, has 10 foot melee range). Thanks again, Wolf! =)