[D&D 4th Ed.] Official GT Campaign Thread

[CrayolaSmoker]

MapTool, the program we're currently using, is a free tool. WotC has a tool in development that seems pretty powerful (and certainly more convenient with drag-and-drop monsters from the monster manual), but I haven't seen any info regarding pricing for their stuff yet.

What's cool about MapTool is that it's customizable to whatever game you're playing. Playing some Deadlands? No problem. Playing some Dark Heresy? Yeah, it does that, too. Takes some work on the part of the GM and/or the players in customizing the tool to the ruleset, but the tool is up to the task. MapTool even has support for hex-based movement built-in. It really is an impressive little tool. And, IIRC, it's open-source. So the community isn't just making demands of the programmers, they're helping to make the tool what they need it to be.

[YellowKing]

but I haven't seen any info regarding pricing for their stuff yet.

I've heard it will be $15/month, with discounts for multi-month packages (same pricing scheme as most MMOs). However, at launch they will have special introductory pricing that will be available for a limited time. I'm assuming this could probably be as low as $10/month.

[kadnod]

but I haven't seen any info regarding pricing for their stuff yet.

I've heard it will be $15/month, with discounts for multi-month packages (same pricing scheme as most MMOs). However, at launch they will have special introductory pricing that will be available for a limited time. I'm assuming this could probably be as low as $10/month.

There's supposed to be some sort of guest-pass thing for people who just want to play in a particular game, too.  I'm not 100% sure on how it's going to be implemented, though. 

[IceBear]

WotC has never impressed me with their electronic tools, so I suspect the 3rd party products will be superior.  That said, that $15 a month will also get you access to the Compendium (which is replacing the old SRD.  Yes, I know there is a 4E SRD, but it doesn't actually contain any rules like the Conpendium does) and Dungeon and Dragon Magazine articles.  If the quality of the magazines stay the same as they are right now, that alone might be worth the cash.

[IceBear]

BTW - if you feel like adding crafting skills to your game, there's a very detailed set of house rules you can download here:

http://www.merlinrpg.com/TechnoCraftDraft2.pdf

[faide]

Saturday's game was a blast!  I look forward to the next session.  I haven't played D&D in probably 15 years so it was a nice introduction back into the game for me.

BTW Crayola, I screwed up my HP.  I should be 5 higher.   I missed the rule in the PHB that states if I'm a twin blade ranger that I get Toughness as a bonus feat.  That adds 5 more to my total. 

[Autistic Angel]

I've updated my character sheet to show that my second language is "Superna" which is used by angels and demons.  I'm not sure when that might ever come in handy, but I figured it made more sense for a cleric than many of the other options.

Are we going to try to play around the same time of day this Saturday?  I can update the original post in this thread to make it easy for people to find when the next intended time is....

Is there a way we can help Turtle get all the MapTool files early so he won't have to download them from scratch on Saturday?  That could save a lot of time and get him right into the game when we start.

-Autistic Angel

[CrayolaSmoker]

Are we going to try to play around the same time of day this Saturday?  I can update the original post in this thread to make it easy for people to find when the next intended time is....

Is there a way we can help Turtle get all the MapTool files early so he won't have to download them from scratch on Saturday?  That could save a lot of time and get him right into the game when we start.

-Autistic Angel

Same time Saturday works for me. I'm going to ask that everyone update to the latest Development build of MapTool (1.3.b34 was released last night), as they've updated the "status" features to handle marking in a far more efficient manner. Unfortunately, the maps I did in 1.3.b32 didn't play nice with 1.3.b33, and I had to redo them. I've shrunk the file size a bit, losing a smidge of detail, but I think the time saved on DL will be worth it (Files are less than half their initial size).

I've also been introduced to a new feature that allows me to store the assets on a remote host, which should allow for faster DL speeds of new assets. I'm going to try to get things set up this evening so that I can leave the server running all day Friday while I'm at work (0700-1900 CST). This should let everyone who wants to get the initial DL out of the way do so without too much fuss.

Not that they're strictly needed. Since you guys are at the city gates, I expect we'll be spending the first part of the next session doing more role playing/investigating than fighting, but that's really up to you guys. 

[Lockdown]

/Fizzle goes to the local eatery straight away. 

/Fizzle drags the rogue with him in hopes of scoring some free food.

/Fizzle wonders what Dragonborn eat?

/Fizzle hopes it's not halfling!

[Destructor]

/Fizzle wonders what Dragonborn eat?

/Fizzle hopes it's not halfling!

You'll be safe - you're too stringy and not very good with ketchup.

[CrayolaSmoker]

Server is running (should be in the File->Connect to Server->RPTools.net tab):

GT RPG - KotS
password: redesign

[Rich]

Ok I connected and imported my character and his sheet but I notice that the GT Stats in the config menu isn't there, do you need to copy and paste those in or are we going with a different set now?

[Arnir]

I've running on a new computer today so I might have some more hiccups.  When the server is up and running again I'll try to download my info and get set up.

I'm still learning the macro stuff, though.

[Lockdown]

Anyone else have a blank list when hitting Connect To Server?

Wait.... it lives!

[Doopri]

well i THOUGHT elves were supposed to love all things natural and of the world...

i learned (by observation, mind you) that SOME are frigid ice princesses

[Arnir]

Anyone else have a blank list when hitting Connect To Server?

Wait.... it lives!

That happens to me quite a bit.

[Rich]

If anyone has any suggestions on how to speed things up I'm listening.

Macros, if anyone wants the macros to their powers to make them appear like mine did last night so they look like they do in the book let me know what powers you have and I'll post the macro on here so you can just copy and paste it in.

[Destructor]

If anyone has any suggestions on how to speed things up I'm listening.

Macros, if anyone wants the macros to their powers to make them appear like mine did last night so they look like they do in the book let me know what powers you have and I'll post the macro on here so you can just copy and paste it in.

Macros are the big thing right now I think. Everybody has a decent handle (I think at least) of what they can do in a round, so now it's just speeding things up. And not having to look up everything would do it.

And last night definitely went differently than it did the week before. I was actually getting hit for starters. 20AC sure as heck isn't as powerful as it used to be in 3.5. And me rolling a 1 on an Intimidate check wrapped things up quite nicely.

[Doopri]

while the party searches for gear, binds the kobold priest and mends their wounds giovanni sits back and smokes his pipe, a habit learned from his tutor.  He assesses this motley crew with which hes fallen in

daroman - a womanizing, hard drinking rogue who prefers to brawl over sneak.  has no fear of the front line or a lack of shadows, and no problem striking from them when the opportunity arises

avandras apprentice - a zealous, excuse me - OVERzealous cleric who thinks piety is something to be dispensed with a morning star - but there in a pinch with a rejuvenating word

rhakos - despite his monstrous appearance, this quiet creature is kind hearted, just and honorable.  i feel a kinship with, um, it and think it *edit - he, apparently hehehe - crazy dragons* will check our occasional greed and dishonorable intentions

trevor - a boisterous fighter who seems to occasionally be a bit farsighted - we may need to get him some glasses, or perhaps a longer sword.  also, hes unusually flammable

fizzle - an enigmatic little being.  seems to be wrapped in his studies of the arcane, but always willing to offer a poignant observation or present a line of questioning not thought of

[Arnir]

If anyone has any suggestions on how to speed things up I'm listening.

Macros, if anyone wants the macros to their powers to make them appear like mine did last night so they look like they do in the book let me know what powers you have and I'll post the macro on here so you can just copy and paste it in.

Rich,
I'll take you up on that soon.  I would like to get some pointers on how to do this stuff as well, if that is possible.
I need to do the whole thing including regular attacks, perception, insight, wisdom, etc.
Thanks.

[Destructor]

while the party searches for gear, binds the kobold priest and mends their wounds giovanni sits back and smokes his pipe, a habit learned from his tutor.  He assesses this motley crew with which hes fallen in

rhakos - despite his monstrous appearance, this quite creature is kind hearted, just and honorable.  i feel a kinship with, um, it and think it will check our occasional greed and dishonorable intentions

Well, thank you very much. With this motley crew though, who knows if I'll be able to keep you in check.

Oh, and BTW - I am a male, thank you very much. I don't take too kindly in being called an 'it'. (looks for a firebreathing emote  )

[faide]

Sorry I missed out this week guys.  We had some company come over at the last minute and I couldn't make it   Maybe for those of us that missed we can do summary posts of what happened on the adventure so we are caught up when we rejoin?

[Doopri]

hey faide - yea aremith (sp?) was sorely missed!

basically heres what happened:

we tooled around winterhaven for quite a while.  weve basically be keeping our true intentions (hunting a death cult) on the "down low" - we dont know who may or may not be involved at this point.  basically we told the mayor of the town we were going to hunt some of the kobolds for him, and learned from the captain of the guard that there is possibly a creature known as irontooth who may or may not be involved with the increase in kobold attacks.  theres a missing adventurer who hasnt been seen since he was in town about 3 weeks ago - he was possibly investigating as yet unknown ruins.  finally theres a very helpful barkeep, whos tavern weve been using as a home base, and a less than helpful wizard who seemed to us to have ulterior motives, though the townspeople have pretty much been telling us hes a good guy, hes just leery of outsiders.  we spent the night in town, and set out in the suspected direction of the kobold lair - we were ambushed along the way and ended the night after having captured the apparent leader of the group of kobolds who attacked us.  strangely enough we found a token of a very powerful undead demon on one of the kobolds (possible tie in to the death cult?).  so next time we meet (which WONT be next saturday - crayola is out of town) well be conducting a questioning of the kobold to see what we can get out of him.  anyone else feel free to fill in any gaps i may have missed!

[Destructor]

anyone else feel free to fill in any gaps i may have missed!

That pretty much sums things up. Here's to hoping that I roll greater than a 1 on my next Intimidate roll, as I'm apparently the only person in the group that can talk to our captured little kobold.

One thing I forgot to mention: Everybody's favorite Fighter did NOT burst into flames last week. We were all shocked and dismayed. 

[Lockdown]

Actually, I think Fizzle can speak Draconic as well.

Unfortunately, he's about as intimidating as a fruitfly.

 

[hellwolf78]

So how was everyones saturday and how did u guys do?So tell me this what do u think of 4e comparaed (cant spell) to 3.5 and what are ur pros and cons between the two..

[IceBear]

Lots and lots of new magical toys in the latest Dragon article

http://www.wizards.com/download.asp?filename=365_Bazaar.pdf

As for the pros and cons, what some people consider pros (harder to die at first level) other people consider cons (OMG! Everyone is uber now!!! Where's my gritty everyman-type campaign).  It seems to be a lot of personal preference with 4E - much more than 3.x.  I think some players - the ones that loved min-maxing via multiclassing or those that loved building strange and unique builds will say the character construction in 4E is too narrow.  Other players that were overwhelmed will say it's much easier and streamlined.  As a DM I know making encounters are a zillion times easier and keeping track of wealth levels is so simple now that I can focus more on the creative side of DMing (more places, NPCs, plots, etc) than on the tedious side

[Fez]

Sounds like fun!  Let me know if you ever have room for an additional character who could join up in the adventure.

[Turtle]

When is the next session, I tried connecting to upload my character last Saturday but the server wasn't up?

[Destructor]

When is the next session, I tried connecting to upload my character last Saturday but the server wasn't up?

Strange, as it was definitely up Saturday.

Anyway - CrayolaSmoker dares to have a life (), so we won't be playing this Saturday. Next Saturday will be when we'll be getting together again.

[CrayolaSmoker]

Yeah. I'm pulling the "I'm the DM" card and going to see a musical my wife and I have been dying to see for a couple years on Saturday. (Avenue Q) We leave Monday morning for Orlando, FL, but fly back Friday, giving plenty of time to prep for a game that Saturday, the 19th. I'm thinking same time (4:30P), unless an earlier start works for everyone.

[Rich]

Yeah. I'm pulling the "I'm the DM" card and going to see a musical my wife and I have been dying to see for a couple years on Saturday. (Avenue Q) We leave Monday morning for Orlando, FL, but fly back Friday, giving plenty of time to prep for a game that Saturday, the 19th. I'm thinking same time (4:30P), unless an earlier start works for everyone.

I stated I couldn't play that day but if the others wanted to play earlier I could maybe join in for awhile before I left for work.

[Destructor]

I'm off all day Saturday, so starting earlier will work fine for me. Gotta feel sorry for some of those East Coasters when our games constantly run late into the night.

[Lockdown]

You mean like the sleepy little halfling?

I blame the late hour on why I'm slinging frost rays god-knows-where.

 

[Autistic Angel]

I could start at 3:30pm on July 19^th if that would help Rich have more time to play.\

So tell me this what do u think of 4e comparaed (cant spell) to 3.5 and what are ur pros and cons between the two.

I learned the basics of 2^nd Edition to play Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale, and a lot of 3^rd Edition for Neverwinter Nights 1 and 2, but this is my very first experience with "real" Dungeons & Dragons so I don't really have anything to compare it to.  My newbie impression is that the different At Will and Encounter powers give you a few different ways to approach each round, so you're always reconsidering which ability would be best to use in the current situation.

I'm really looking forward to playing again next Saturday, and I hope we can get Turtle's connection issue sorted out by then!

-Autistic Angel

[CrayolaSmoker]

P.S. - Quote of the game (In the middle of a combat encounter):

"I low-five Fizzle as a free action."

[IceBear]

FYI - WotC has just released errata.  There are some changes and clarification in the PHB, Skill Challenges got an overhaul, and a lot of monsters have hitpoint changes and damage changes.

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/4news/20080716

[Autistic Angel]

Thanks for the notice!  I browsed through and didn't see any adjustments to clerics, but there's at least a couple minor clarifications for warlocks and fighters.

When faide coudn't make our last game, CrayolaSmoker asked if anyone else wanted to take control of his character during combat, and I realized that I had absolutely no idea how to be a ranger.  Or an eladrin, for that matter.  These 4^th Edition rules do a good job of explaining how each individual power works and what makes it useful, but each race / class combo has so many subtle possibilities to them, it's all you can do to learn the nuances of your own character.

Are we definitely starting at 4:30pm Central this Saturday?

-Autistic Angel

[CrayolaSmoker]

Are we definitely starting at 4:30pm Central this Saturday?

That's the plan. I should be landing tonight at 2300 or so, giving me plenty of time rest and set up for the next session. If something changes I'll post here ASAP.

[Lockdown]

Speaking of this Saturday...

Everyone's favorite Halfling may be late or MIA altogether, depending on events. 

If by chance I don't make it, I would hope one of you takes over the role of missing with ranged attacks while I'm away.  If you all roll really well, I would of course understand, as it takes significant talent to consistently miss your enemies from less than 6 squares away.  I wouldn't expect everyone to be as gifted at it as Fizzle is.