Heroica RPG General Discussion

[Dannylonglegs]

This implies that both Rhodus and Aquos both have 2 unrevealed siblings... Look, how many more color variations can I make?

Oh, no, but it is possible that we'll be fighting their re-animated corpses. But then again, what use would Regret have for an army?

~Insectoid Aristocrat

[Endgame]

Hey, give me a few minutes to write up a reply.

[Brickdoctor]

Speaking of witch, is Elphaba going to be showing up soon, Sandy?

I know. That was just terrible. Whatever.

[Dannylonglegs]

Anyone has to remind me of my Grogmas gift if we ever come to a decision of route

I think I will forget my Magic Compass

I was hoping you'd forget about it. It makes taking people's word for things a whole lot easier/harder. Remember though, to always ask the right questions.

Oh gods! That's a thing? I'm toast! I never inspected the inquisition!

~Insectoid Aristocrat

Edited March 21, 2013 by Dannylonglegs

[JimBee]

Speaking of witch, is Elphaba going to be showing up soon, Sandy?

Not until Quest 50 returns!

[CMP]

Not until Quest 50 returns!

Elphaba comes at the start of spring and fall, though. You might make it back for the latter.

[Dannylonglegs]

By the way, I feel like mentioning this now, but it applies to the entire quest and not just this encounter: If anyone (including 62ers) notices a reference to anything in the names of characters, then you're more than welcome to PM me, but I'd prefer not to have such potentially accurate (or misleading) information discussed out in the open.

~Insectoid Aristocrat

[swils]

If Johon doesn't want the hide, I'm open to offers.

Hide of The Suffering (Power +7 if under a negative effect.)

I could see a potential niche use for it.

Edit:

Bah, haven't found a reliable way to keep a negative effect on. The Hide could be really nice for a melee character if there was some way to enchant it with permanent Sealed effect.

Edited March 22, 2013 by swils

[Dannylonglegs]

If I'm right, then Wow. That's not a twist I saw coming! (Wouldn't have gotten it without that hint though. Well Played Endgame, Well played!)

~Insectoid Aristocrat

Edited March 22, 2013 by Dannylonglegs

[Cutcobra]

Elphaba comes at the start of spring and fall, though. You might make it back for the latter.

I always wondered what she selled. Does she sell scrolls?

[JimBee]

I could see a potential niche use for it.

Edit:

Bah, haven't found a reliable way to keep a negative effect on. The Hide could be really nice for a melee character if there was some way to enchant it with permanent Sealed effect.

Could be useful, though +7 power isn't all that much in the grand scheme of things. One combination that comes to mind is poison on someone with the Magic Viper Skin, so no health is lost.

Elphaba comes at the start of spring and fall, though. You might make it back for the latter.

[Dannylonglegs]

Could be useful, though +7 power isn't all that much in the grand scheme of things. One combination that comes to mind is poison on someone with the Magic Viper Skin, so no health is lost.

Or Poison + Blessed.

~Insectoid Aristocrat

[Zepher]

On that note, here's an interesting question: I know we QMs often don't provide enough opportunity to use them, but how many of the players, when facing a problem that can't be solved with violence, first check to see if their Job Traits can be used? Because I know I very rarely think of using Animal Talk, and I usually don't even remember that I can use Diplomacy.

Players often want the loot/exp. If we offered exp. for solving problems creatively, that may be more incentive for using job traits. I often take job traits into consideration... specifically Diplomacy, because I have it myself. Creative solutions are supported by me as a QM, I'm actually surprised how little my players attempt it. Most recently Nyx tried to confuse the Chaos Beasts, and it paid off. In other quests I would have also been supportive of creative solutions. For example: when Nyx tried to set the boat of Orcs on fire in Quest 40... if I had been QMing, that would have at least damaged them pretty badly. I know too, for example, that in the end of the Dastan trilogy a number of enemies entered damaged because the players somehow damaged them before hand.

Point is, if people use job traits, I'd be more than willing to take them into consideration. Maybe not in the boss battle, but certainly other than that. For that reason Quest 53 has been harder, because I didn't want to circumvent any of the big battles. Just wait until other quests, and then get creative.

[The Legonater]

*Breath*

Oi. I just went through a several-hour-long session of rereading through the Dastan trilogy, partially as a refresher of Wren's actions during the show, partially just because it was such a great trilogy - and it really was. Major props again to you guys who ran it. It's by far one of the most brilliant things pulled in Heroica, and I wouldn't mind seeing something on that scale again. It would take a lot of work, of course, but I think it would be lot of fun for the QM's and the questies.

...Maybe not so much for the QM's.

[CorneliusMurdock]

Not until Quest 50 returns!

Well, you know, you could always ask someone that wants to trade for certain items your party may have looted to pick something up for you if you're not back in time.

[Zepher]

I think that we will do cross-overs at some point again. I no longer live with my Lego anymore, which is the only thing stopping me, but I do have a few QMs I'd consider asking to work with me on a long-form quest, and a few ideas floating around. I have a very specific one that I'd want to do, that would work very well, but I need specific QMs and a specific area... and the time and Lego...

But yes, Dastan was one of the most fun experiences I had as a QM. I loved being part of it. We got to really explore a whole country in culture in just 3 months. I feel like we really know Dastan now. I have some very specific things associated with that land when I think of it. It's a real setting now.

Edited March 22, 2013 by Zepher

[Scubacarrot]

For example: when Nyx tried to set the boat of Orcs on fire in Quest 40... if I had been QMing, that would have at least damaged them pretty badly.

That's not creative though.

[Zepher]

It's using a job trait and the location. I'd say it was creative enough. What was your creative solution for it not working again? It missed, right?

It was just the first scenario that flew to mind, I meant no personal offense, though I still do believe it should have worked and could have been an awesome scene. I myself fail often to make allowances for the use of job traits and clever solutions. Reading back I sometimes feel guilty.

A danger too is allowing for ridiculous situations. Heroes shouldn't be able to do superhero things to solve situations, or call on things that are not within their normal powers in the game. But a mage setting fire to incoming boats, or a ranger (for example) talking to a pictured bird and asking it to check out the enemy's stats before a battle, or people rigging and dropping a smoke bomb to give enemies the blinded effect- those should all work. I guess its why we have different QMs. Some want to see creative use of those job traits that Sandy created, and some don't. Rogues, Clerics and Barbarians have intrinsically better job traits, because they work automatically, while the other ones are up to interpretation and therefore used hardly at all, because most QMs don't allow for good results with them.

[Flare]

Or perhaps no one does anything creative, the QM doesn't have a chance to allow good results???

[TheBoyWonder]

I'm looking for a chance to use my Sylvanias Cowl.

[Scubacarrot]

Actually I believe I said it didn't have much effect on the wet hull. It wasn't creative. If something is incoming, trying to shoot at it before the battle isn't going to be working out. It'd be the same if Guts would throw a knife before the battle had started, would it be allowed? of course not.

Or perhaps no one does anything creative, the QM doesn't have a chance to allow good results???

This. Mostly this.

[CMP]

If something is incoming, trying to shoot at it before the battle isn't going to be working out. It'd be the same if Guts would throw a knife before the battle had started, would it be allowed? of course not.

Didn't stop you from trying.

[Scubacarrot]

Also, sometimes story progression or gameplay trumps "using traits". Sure, if the villain is standing on some scaffolding, a mage could easily break it and let him fall to his death, but perhaps the QM wants to have you battle him, so it would not be allowed. Same with that situation. I gave you hints it wasn't going to work, as well. Also: if mages could sink enemy ships that easily, why doesn't every ship have a mage casting fireballs.

Didn't stop you from trying.

That's what I was getting at.

[Flipz]

Actually I believe I said it didn't have much effect on the wet hull. It wasn't creative. If something is incoming, trying to shoot at it before the battle isn't going to be working out. It'd be the same if Guts would throw a knife before the battle had started, would it be allowed? of course not.

Well, to be fair, it depends. If Guts had managed to sneak up on the enemy undetected (determined by logic and/or dice roll), I'd totally allow him to get in a "sneak attack" before the battle proper--it just makes sense. Or, if the Heroes are surprised by the enemies, they may be Hastened for the first Round. In the Q40 example (and solely because it's the example everyone else is using), I might have said, "OK, you want to start fighting before the boats dock? OK. Round one of battle, only ranged attacks will connect (for both Heroes and enemies), everything else is a Miss." It would have made sense and had an appreciable effect on the battle, within the realm of logic and within the scope of the game rules. Alternatively, if there had been multiple ships, perhaps burning the sail of one of the further-out ships would delay the arrival of reinforcements or something. (Just throwing out examples, Q40 was awesome as-is. )

Also, sometimes story progression or gameplay trumps "using traits". Sure, if the villain is standing on some scaffolding, a mage could easily break it and let him fall to his death, but perhaps the QM wants to have you battle him, so it would not be allowed. Same with that situation. I gave you hints it wasn't going to work, as well. Also: if mages could sink enemy ships that easily, why doesn't every ship have a mage casting fireballs.

Perhaps the mage can't destroy the scaffolding, but because of her quick thinking the villain is Weakened for the first Round as he tries to regain his footing. Not game-breaking, but still rewarding thinking outside the box.

Also: if mages could sink enemy ships that easily, why doesn't every ship have a mage casting fireballs.

Because people steadfastly refuse to believe that mages are of any use whatsoever, since they can't be badass.

Thinking logically, in-universe, Mages are super powerful, and could solve many of the world's practical problems...but they're kept in check because so many non-Ether-users find it hard to trust them.

Edited March 22, 2013 by Flipz

[swils]

Could be useful, though +7 power isn't all that much in the grand scheme of things. One combination that comes to mind is poison on someone with the Magic Viper Skin, so no health is lost.

Well, on its own, it's true, +7 isn't much. But if I were to equip it with the +10 to melee boots, that'd be +17 which is a decent chunk, subject to Encouraged and Elemental multipliers, too. Nothing to brag about, just a nice supplement. Not that I'm particularly interested in following that route, it just has potential. Especially for a mid-level character who hasn't had the good fortune to come into a WP15+ weapon, or the funds to upgrade as much.