Adventuring in Undermountain, anyone?

[B4UTRUST]

Rogue, we will be able to venture back to Waterdown at some point during the adventure correct? We won't be permanently stuck in the dungeon?

[Rogue 9]

There will be plenty of opportunities to return to the surface; don't worry about it.

[Cynical Cat]

There will be plenty of opportunities to return to the surface; don't worry about it.

Some of them unintentional if I know Undermountain.

Besides, you can stock up without ever seeing daylight by visiting Skullport.

[Rogue 9]

There will be plenty of opportunities to return to the surface; don't worry about it.

Some of them unintentional if I know Undermountain.

Shhhhhhh!

[General Havoc]

Some questions on terminology and semantics:

I'm reading through rules and such, and I'm not entirely sure what the various "action" types are. What specifically is the difference between a "Standard" action, a "Free" action, and any other sorts of "actions" that may exist. I'm getting imprecise definitions from the sites online.

[Cynical Cat]

They introduced new action types midway through 3.5, and retconned certain actions as actually being one of these new actions. This is why you're getting contradictory results.

A player can do one of the following:

standard and move action

two move actions

Full round action.

In addition he can take free actions at any point (very few actions are free actions)

one swift action during your turn

one immediate any time.

Lots of detail here:

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/actionsincombat.htm

[Rogue 9]

Okay, backgrounds. It will be a lot easier on me if at least some of your characters know at least some of the other characters. It'd be great if the group were already a cohesive party, but I know that trying to get everyone to fit all their backgrounds together while still having them be to their satisfaction would take forever, so just do what you can. I'll take care of the rest at campaign start.

[Comrade Tortoise]

To simplify it

A move action is just that. A move. You can use it to move, draw a weapon, or other such non-offensive actions.

A standard action is a more complex action such as making an attack, casting a spell, or reading from a scroll.

Swift actions are typically certain spells, spells with the quicken spell feat applied, things of that nature

Immediate actions are very rare.... usually a specified ability that allows you to interrupt someones action

Free actions are things like shouting a single word

[rhoenix]

Alright, I'm trying to get some books from B4 for "evaluation purposes," but I've been having troubles downloading it completely.

Anyway - I was originally leaning toward getting Weapon Focus, Power Attack, Combat Expertise, and Combat Reflexes, and then rounding out the Feats list by getting the Combat Focus/Combat Vigor/Combat Strike stance feats from the PHB2.

Hotfoot read through those three feats, and though he granted that HP regeneration for a Duskblade is rather nice, I wouldn't get it soon. Moreover, Combat Focus is nearly useless as a feat by itself, apart from unlocking Combat Vigor and Combat Strike. That said though, Combat Vigor and Combat Strike are powerful feats, and are given "advanced" effects due to having three of those feats.

So - given that I'm nearly done with my character's plotting (Just need to finish the Feats, pick out skills, and pick out 1st level spells), any advice or thoughts I can get regarding those feats would be deeply appreciated.

Also, this is for using a greatsword instead of a spiked chain for a level 1 Duskblade, with anticipation of taking this character all the way to level 20 as a Duskblade.

[B4UTRUST]

I'll write it up and toss it in my notes section of my sheet. Also already updated my starting equipment and cash based off of that.

[Jason_Firewalker]

My Character again with changes to stats

Name: Coda Alera

Race: Sun Elf (-2 Con, +2 Int, LLV, Elf Abilities)

Class: Evoker 1 (A Specialist Wizard with Prohibited Schools of Illusion and Necromancy)

Gender: Male

Height: 5'

Weight: 109



Strength: 11
Dexterity: 15
Constitution: 12
Intellegince: 20
Wisdom 11
Charisma 16

HP: 20
AC: 11
Touch: 11
Flat Footed: 9

Flaws:
Vulnerable (-1 to AC for a Feat, See Unearthed Arcana)

Feats:
Scribe Scroll (Like All Wizards)
Combat Casting
Percocious Apprentice (Gives me a free extra second level spell slot, see Complete Arcane)
Summon Familiar (Toad named PacMan)

Base Attack Bonus: +0
Ranged Attack Bonus: +2
Melee Attack Bonus: +0

Saves:
--- Fortitude: +1
--- Reflex: +2
--- Will: +2

Spells Known:
0 - All but Illusion And Necromancy
1 - Magic Missile, Mage Armor, Sheild, Burning Hands, Hail Of Stone, Lesser Orb Of Cold, Orb Of Sound Lesser, Sleep
2 - Scorching Ray

Spells Per Day (Will Post Each Day If Required As I Change It):
0 - Read Magic, Detect Magic, Detect Magic
1 - Mage Armor, Sleep, Burning Hands, Magic Missile
2 - Scorching Ray

Class Skills:

- Concentration +5 (+9 in combat) (4 Ranks, +1 from Con)
- Knowledge Arcana +9 (4 ranks, +5 from Int)
- Knowledge Religion +9 (4 ranks, +5 from Int)
- Knowledge Dungeneering +7 (2 ranks, +5 from Int)
- Knowledge Nature +7 (2 ranks, +5 from Int)
- Knowledge Local +7 (2 ranks, +5 from Int)
- Knowledge Nobility And Royalty +7 (2 ranks, +5 from Int)
- Knowledge The Planes +6 (1 Rank, + 5 from Int)
- Knowledge History +6 (1 Rank, +5 from Int)
- Decipher Script +7 (2 rranks, +5 from Int)
- Spellcraft +9 (4 ranks, +5 from Int)

Cross-Class Skills:

Spot: +2 (0 ranks, + 0 from Wis, +2 Elf bonus)
Listen: +2 (0 ranks, + 0 from Wis, +2 Elf bonus)
Search: +2 (0 ranks, + 0 from Wis, +2 Elf bonus)

Possessions:
Backpack
Bedroll
4 Days Trail Rations
1 Days Water
Spell Book (200 Pages)
Parchament (50 Sheets)
3 Spell Component Pouches
Ink & Pen
3 Pouches
2 Travelers Outfits

Platnum -- None
Gold -- 7
Silver -- 8
Copper -- 9


Also with this addition:

Languages:
Common
Elven
Celestial
Draconic
Giant
Sylvan
Dwarven

Edited out the second scorching ray and am ready for DM approval

[Rogue 9]

Okay Rhoenix, I did some checking that I didn't have time to do this morning. Your proposed feat progression (Power Attack, Arcane Strike, Leap Attack, Shock Trooper, Improved Bull Rush, Combat Expertise) doesn't work. The prerequisites on some of those feats are high enough that you can't get them all in your later feat slots, at least not before the campaign ends. Leap Attack and Shock Trooper both require that you be sixth level, meaning you need to take one at six and one at nine. Duskblades don't qualify for Arcane Strike until 9th, meaning something's waiting for 12th. Unless you're throwing in fighter levels, the campaign arc will be over by the time you get everything on your list.

As for you, Jason, looks okay. Correct your spelling, total up the weight of your equipment and put it on a character sheet in the profiler so I can have a link handy to it instead of needing to hunt through the thread.

And just so you know, if you're planning to use Precocious Apprentice cheese to qualify for a prestige class early, the answer is no. I might be persuaded to consider it for a theurge class, but nothing else.

[rhoenix]

Okay Rhoenix, I did some checking that I didn't have time to do this morning. Your proposed feat progression (Power Attack, Arcane Strike, Leap Attack, Shock Trooper, Improved Bull Rush, Combat Expertise) doesn't work. The prerequisites on some of those feats are high enough that you can't get them all in your later feat slots, at least not before the campaign ends. Leap Attack and Shock Trooper both require that you be sixth level, meaning you need to take one at six and one at nine. Duskblades don't qualify for Arcane Strike until 9th, meaning something's waiting for 12th. Unless you're throwing in fighter levels, the campaign arc will be over by the time you get everything on your list.

That is true - I didn't expect this campaign to go from 1-20, and it still likely wouldn't go that far (in a subsequent campaign) unless there was enough interest.

More directly though: DAMMIT!

I'll tinker more with this when I can. Thank you for checking, however.

[LadyTevar]

WHy are we worrying about Feats we don't get until higher levels? Make a damn 1st level so we can start playing already!

[SirNitram]

Better than 'Take TWF for the ability you get.. AT LEVEL 13.'

[rhoenix]

WHy are we worrying about Feats we don't get until higher levels? Make a damn 1st level so we can start playing already!

Yeah, you're right - I'm getting all upset about the forest and not seeing the trees. Alright, I'll have it done soon.

Better than 'Take TWF for the ability you get.. AT LEVEL 13.'

Yeah. Honestly, that ability would be funnier with Whirlwind.

[General Havoc]

Profile edited and ready. It can be found here.

One question though regarding weight. Totalling up my equipment and the weights thereof indicates that my character is "Lightly encumbered" while carrying all his gear (midway between light and medium load). Is that normal in this sort of thing? I presume one can simply drop one's pack and be unencumbered thereafter should a fight break out, because if not, I simply don't see how anyone is ever not encumbered. My weapon, armor, and shield alone are close to the threshold for "light" loads.

How does encumbrance work in this?

[Rogue 9]

What sort of armor are you using? If you're a cleric, I'm assuming it isn't light. Armor and weight encumbrances don't stack

[General Havoc]

I'm in scale mail armor, as indicated on the sheet, with a light metal shield. It was the best I could afford given a cleric's starting funds, and the need to buy other things.

So do I deduct the armor's weight from total weight?

[Cynical Cat]

You take the worst of your encumbrance penalty for armour or weight.

For example, if you'll lightly burdened by weight (say 50lbs including armor to pick a number), but your wearing medium armour, you move at the medium armour rate.

[General Havoc]

Ah.

I er... need to read up on what all that means.

[rhoenix]

Alright, first posting. Description & History will be added once I learn a bit more about Faerun.

Descriptors:
Name: Kergan Mehrimat
Race: Half Elf
Class: Duskblade 1
Alignment: Neutral Good


Attributes:
STR: 18 (+4 to melee attack/damage)
DEX: 16 (+2 to AC, +2 to ranged attack, +2 to Reflex saves)
CON: 18 (+4 to HP/lvl, +4 to Fortitude saves)
INT: 17 (Bonus spells: 1 lvl1, 1 lvl2, 1 lvl 3, +3 skill points/level)
WIS: 15 (+2 to Will saves)
CHA: 14 (+2 to reactions)

HP: 30/30
(Base HP 8 +4 HP (CON) + 18 CON) = 30

Melee Attack Bonus: +5
(Duskblade 1 = +1 Base Attack Bonus, STR 18 = +4)

Armor Class: 16
Chain Shirt (+4 AC), Dexterity 16 (+2 AC)

Saving throws:
Fortitude: 2 (Dusk1) +4 (CON 18) = +6
Reflex: 0 (Dusk1) +2 (DEX 16) = +2
Will: 2 (Dusk1) +2 (WIS 15) = +4


Special Abilities:
- Arcane Attunement (can use Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Flare, Ghost Sound, Read Magic 3x per day + INT modifier [+3], total 6x per day)
- Armored Mage (can wear light armor with 0% arcane spell failure chance)

- Immune to magic Sleep effects, gain +2 vs. Enchantment spells/effects
- Low-light vision
- +1 bonus on Listen, Search, and Spot checks


Skills:
Class skills: (2+ INT modifier / level [+5], INT modifier x4 @ 1st level [12])
(Class skills: Climb, Concentration, Craft, Decipher Script, Jump, Knowledge (all), Ride, Sense Motive, Spellcraft, Swim)

Concentration (CON): 1 rank
Jump (STR): 1 rank
Knowledge: Arcana (INT): 1 rank
Spellcraft (INT): 1 rank
Sense Motive (WIS): 1 rank
Swim (STR): 1 rank

Cross-class skills:
Search [INT] (+1 racial bonus from being an Elf, +3 from INT): 1 rank
Listen [WIS] (+1 racial bonus from being an Elf, +2 from WIS): 1 rank
Spot [WIS] (+1 racial bonus from being an Elf, +2 from WIS): 1 rank

Feats:
Power Attack (with Improved Bull Rush, Shock Trooper, Leap Attack, Arcane Strike, Leap of the Heavens later on)


Duskblade Spells:
Dusk1: 3/0th, 2/1st
(Bonus spells per day from 17 INT: 1 lvl1, 1 lvl2, 1 lvl 3)

Level 0:
Acid Splash
Disrupt Undead
Touch of Fatigue

Level 1:
Chill Touch
True Strike

Languages:
Common
Elven
Draconic
Undercommon
Goblin

Money: 190 GP (6d4x10 GP @ first level)
- 182gp, 10sp, 2 cp for supplies = 6gp, 98 cp

Equipment: Greatsword, Chain Shirt, 2 belt pouches, backpack, bedroll, blanket, cloak, caltrops, 100 pieces of chalk, flint & steel, grappling hook, 50' silk rope, 4 empty sacks, waterskin, 1 cold weather outfit, 2 traveler's outfits, whetstone

Description:

History:

[LadyTevar]

AHEM
No Grey Elves in Faerun. Which we've told you BEFORE.

[Rogue 9]

To be fair, we told Jason before. Or at least, I did; someone else might have told Rhoenix. But it's been said in the thread at least once.

One other thing that stands out; bonus spells from ability scores only apply to spells per day, not spells known.

Ah.

I er... need to read up on what all that means.

It's very simple. Scale mail has one movement rate and check penalty. Medium encumbrance has another. You use the worse of the two; they do not combine. As it happens, scale mail's check penalty is worse, so go with that and don't worry about weight unless and until you cross into a heavy load.

[rhoenix]

AHEM
No Grey Elves in Faerun. Which we've told you BEFORE.

I didn't read the whole thread, and it hasn't been said to me before in recent memory. Regardless, it's now the generic "Half-elf."

To be fair, we told Jason before. Or at least, I did; someone else might have told Rhoenix. But it's been said in the thread at least once.

One other thing that stands out; bonus spells from ability scores only apply to spells per day, not spells known.

Fixed - Blade of Blood has been removed, and the text has been changed to "bonus spells per day."