[Bardic Performance] ‘O Sole Mio

Tonight, I had the pleasure of being a member of the live studio audience of the 3rd semi-final of SA’s Got Talent… and the whole time I kept on thinking how could a semi-final come in 3 parts? Anyway, I have some good news: Louis (fellow roleplayer) and Willem made it to the finals! The pair of brothers wowed the audience with their Soul Eater cosplay and rendition of ‘O Sole Mio.

Suiting up, just like Soul

As soon as I get hold of some video/photo evidence of the event, I’ll be sure to share it. Otherwise, be sure to watch tomorrow night, SABC 2 at 19:30 and vote!

Edit (13/11/2009) – Here’s the pics and videos promised (I’ll have to write about the final a bit later):

Louis and Willem

- jatori

P.S. For the most latesterest news, check out the Louis and Willem fansite.

[Pathfinder] Two Fighters Are Better Than One

I can’t think of any real good intro text for today’s character build. So, let’s get straight to it instead:

Ping and Pong   Twin* Female Human Fighters 8 Init: +2 Perception: -2

Defense   AC: 24; Touch 12; Flat 22 CMD: 24 (26 vs Bull Rush) HP: 76 Fort: 8 Ref: 5 Will: 1 (Bravery)

Offense   Speed: 30 Melee: (Standard) Shield Bash +15 1d3+6 plus Bull Rush; (Full) Scimitar +11 1d6+2 (18-20), Shield Bash +13/+8 1d3+6 plus Bull Rush Ranged: Dagger +11 1d4+4 (10ft)

Statistics   Str 18 Dex 15 Con 12 Int 10 Wis 7 Cha 14 Base Attack: 8 CMB: 12 (Bull Rush 16) Feats: Combat Reflexes; Greater Bull Rush; Improved Bull Rush; Improved Shield Bash; Lunge; Power Attack; Shield Slam; Toughness; Two-Weapon Fighting; Weapon Focus (Shield) Skills: Acrobatics 7, Climb 5; Intimidate 13; Linguistics 2; Profession (Bodyguard) 5; Swim 2 Gear: Light Darkwood Shield +1; Cold Iron Scimitar; Full Plate Bikini +1**; Potion of Cure Light Wounds; Potion of Bear’s Endurance; Engraved Silver Armband (Jewelry – 250gp); Salve of Slipperiness***; Rehearsed Bodyguard Services Sales Pitch; Unmentionables of Resistance +1; Masterwork Daggers (2); Standard Adventuring Gear; 98gp Languages: Common, Eastern Common****; Goblin

Special Abilities Armour Training 2; Bravery +2; Weapon Training (Close 1)

* Twins, Basil! Twins!

** Thanks to Armour Training, full plate is the new chainmail.

*** Stop thinking the filthy, perverted thoughts I thought when equipping the twins.

**** Only if your game allows for different variants of common. Don’t you just love how the revised skill system allows any character a tonne of language options?

Perhaps I need to take some time to explain how this build works. Before using it in your game, though, you’ll need to check how your group/GM would interpret the interaction between the Shield Slam and Greater Bull Rush feats. Anyway, even if your group wouldn’t allow shield-bashed-triggered bull rush triggered attacks of opportunity, these two fighters could still be used as part of an interesting, and perhaps comical, combat encounter – by making clever use of Combat Reflexes, Lunge, shield bashes, bull rushes and readied actions, Ping and Pong can turn their opponents into tennis balls.

Twins, Basil! Twins!

To man this pair up, you could always consider a dwarf and halfling called Hammer and Anvil.

I chose to give them light shields and scimitars purely for look and feel reasons. To make them a bit more combat efficient, you might consider a heavy spiked shield and light slashing or bludgeoning weapon. At higher levels, take a look at a bashing enhancement for the shields (if not spiked).

You could also think about giving up the Power Attack feat tree for Weapon Finesse, Agile Maneuvers and more Two-Weapon Fighting goodness.

Be thankful that I didn’t give them any of these feats.

- jatori

Feat Discussion: Aspect of the Rock (and a hard place)

I think it is high time that I present a monk feat. The monk is one of my most favorite classes and I simply haven’t given it the feat-discussion justice that the class deserves

Aspect of the Rock [General]
Prerequisites: Improved Unarmed Strike, Stunning Fist, Power Attack
Benefit: When using the power attack feat the DC of your successful Stunning Fist attacks increases by the penalty you take due to the power attack feat.

Note this is designed with the Pathfinder version of the Power Attack feat in mind, other editions should tailor the progression of the feat presented above in a similar way.

[Random Chatter] Where’s the strangest place you’ve ever played an RPG?

There’s one thing that any true, hardcore gamer can admit to: being able to sit down anywhere, at any time, and roll some dice.  I’ve played in some interesting places in my time, including beachfronts and shopping malls. But, the strangest place I’ve ever gamed in has to be an experimental university farm, surrounded by mutant fish (perfect for that Cthulhu mythos inspired horror game) and mooing bovine (suspected to be of the Diablo II hell variety).

So, where’s the strangest place you’ve ever rolled some dice?

- jatori

[Bardic Performance] Help a Fellow Roleplayer Make it Big

A few weeks ago, I reported that one of my old university RP buddies and his brother entered SA’s Got Talent. Well, today, I have some good news: the two brothers made it to the top 21 finalists (you’ll see them on SABC 2 on Wednesday night). Voting details will follow later, but for now, you can check out their fansite or follow them on twitter (@louisandwillem).

- jatori

In other news, I’ll be selling sordid DnD stories to the local gossip magazines. Ka-ching.

[Cape Town] LFR Weekend – 7 November

If you’re in Cape Town over the weekend of the 7th of November, you may want to check out the Forgotten Realms weekend happening at Outer Limits. Pop over to the Cape of Games blog for more info.

- jatori

[Durban] Game Day – 14 November

Once again, I’ll be hosting another game day in Durban.

Venue: Destiny Bookstore, Windermere Centre, Durban

Time: 10:30 am for 11:00 am

Price: Free!

I met some potential new RPG players at a Halloween party… on, um, Halloween. I promised them that I’d run a simple RPG session for them at the next game day. So, I’ll be running a short Pathfinder adventure for them (module, level etc. still to be determined). Unfortunately, I couldn’t get a second GM to run a second table, so, instead, PB will run a few Dominion games for those that don’t get a chance to RP. Unfortunately, the RPG table only has 3 spots left, so bookings are essential.

As always: No gaming experience required.

- jatori

[Pathfinder] Animal Companions

Familiars, cohorts and animal companions – they offer so many great role playing opportunities and mechanical benefits, but, far too often, they end up being more of a chore than anything else. Today, I present a ranger NPC and a slightly different approach to animal companions.

Ewod Lock   Male Dwarf Ranger 8 Init: +2 Perception: +13 Darkvision 60ft; Stonecunning

Defense   AC: 19; Touch 12; Flat 17 CMD: 23 (Bull Rush 27; Trip 29) HP: 84 Fort: 9 Ref: 9 Will: 5 (Hardy)

Offense   Speed: 20 Melee: (Standard Action) Falchion +9 2d4+13; (Full Attack) Falchion +7/+2 2d4+13 and Armour Spike +7/+2 1d6+3 Ranged: Longbow +11 1d8+3 Spells Prepared: 1 – Delay Poison, Pass Without Trace; 2 – Barkskin; Windwall

Statistics   Str 17 Dex 14 Con 14 Int 13 Wis 14 Cha 5 Base Attack: 8 CMB: 11 (13 Trip) Feats: Combat Expertise; Endurance;  Improved Trip; Improved Two-Weapon Fighting; Improved Unarmed Strength; Power Attack (Taken into account); Two-Weapon Fighting Skills: Climb 9; Handle Animal 8*; Heal 11; Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 5; Knowledge (Geography) 11; Knowledge (Nature) 12; Perception 13; Stealth 10; Survival 13 (17 Track) Gear: Silver Dragonhide Breastplate +1; Masterwork Falchion; Masterwork Silvered Armour Spikes; Cloak of Resistance +1; Masterwork Composite Longbow (Strength +3); Wand of Cure Light Wounds (10 Charges); Spyglass; Climber’s Kit; Healer’s Kit (10 Uses); Puppy Purse (Saddle); Potion of Bear’s Endurance; Doggy Biscuit of Endure Elements; Potion of Bull’s Strength; 30gp

Special Abilities   Dwarf Traits; Combat Style (Two-Weapon Fighting); Favoured Enemy (Dragon +2; Human +4); Favoured Terrain (Underground +4; Urban +2) Hunter’s Bond (Animal Companion); Swift Tracker; Track; Wild Empathy; Woodland Stride

Wan-Wan   Small Yorkshire Terrier Init: +5 Perception: +5

Defense   AC: 21; Touch 17; Flat 15 CMD: 19 HP: 43 (5 HD) Fort: 7 Ref: 9 Will: 2

Offense   Speed: 40 Melee: Bite +6 1d4+2

Statistics   Str 14 Dex 20 Con 16 Int 2 Wis 12 Cha 6 Base Attack: 3 CMB: 4 Feats: Dodge; Light Armour Proficiency; Mobility Skills: Acrobatics 9; Perception 5; Stealth 11 Gear: Black Studded Leather Barding +1; Silver Collar with Inlaid Jade (500gp); Eye Patch

Special Abilities   Evasion; Link; Low-Light Vision; Scent; Share Spells Tricks: Attack; Come; Defend; Down; Fetch; Perform; Stay; Track

Notes:

The normally gruff, stoic and downright rude dwarven ranger, Ewod, shows a very uncharacteristic level of affection towards his animal companion, often spending a fortune on puppy salon treatments and chic puppy apparel (including an expensive jeweled collar and customised carry pouch).

In combat, Wan-Wan tries to aid his master by using the Aid Another action and attempts to get into a flanking position. Ewod gets a +1 to his attack rolls against anybody that injures Wan-Wan in any way. If Wan-Wan is slain in combat, Ewod immediately enters a rage (as the Barbarian class feature) for 5 rounds. I’m sure most GMs would allow these ad hoc bonuses, simply because the idea of Wan-Wan is, um, rather special.

When making a full attack, Ewod, uses his unarmed strikes to deliver trip attempts. At level 9, you might consider the Stunning Headbutt or Stunning Kick to Groin feats.

Image Jacked From Wikipedia

- jatori

[Pathfinder] 101 uses for a 10ft ladder

When designing and equipping a character, I tend to purchase a few mundane items to better flesh out the character concept. For example, my shapechangers come complete with a full wardrobe (for any situation and either gender); my transmuters carry around spices, cooking equipment, fine wine and several spell slots dedicated to Baleful Polymorph (it’s probably not cannibalism that way); and my physicists all carry crowbars. So, it was only a matter of time till I concocted this monstrosity:

Carter  Greyling   Male Human LG Paladin 8 Init: +0 Perception: +0

Defense   AC: 19; Touch 10; Flat 19 CMD: 24 (26 vs Overrun) HP: 84 Fort: 11 Ref: 5 Will: 9

Offense   Speed: 20 Melee: Stairway to Heaven (Ladder) 10ft reach +9 1d10+15*; Paddle of Justice (Oar) +9 1d10+15; Silvered Spiked Gauntlet +10 1d4+8; Cold Iron Spiked Gauntlet +10 1d4+8 Spells Prepared: 1 – Lesser Restoration, Magic Weapon; 2 – Bull’s Strength

Statistics   Str 19 Dex 10 Con 14 Int 8 Wis 10 Cha 14 Base Attack: 8 CMB: 12 (14 Overrun) Feats: Catch Off-Guard; Improved Overrun; Power Attack (taken into account); Toughness; Transcendent Mercy Skills: Craft (Woodworking) 3; Perform (Air Guitar) 6; Sense Motive 8 Gear: Masterwork Full Plate; Masterwork Spiked Cold Iron Gauntlet**; Spiked Silvered Gauntlet +1***; Wand of Cure Light Wounds (10 charges); Cloak of Resistance +1; Ladder; Oar; Pig****; Javelin of Lightning; Universal Solvent; Scroll of Delay Poison (CL 5); Adventuring Gear; 297gp; 8sp

Special Abilities   Aura of Courage; Aura of Good; Aura of Resolve; Channel Energy +4d6; Divine Bond (Weapon); Divine Grace; Divine Health; Lay on Hands 6/d +4d6; Mercy (Diseased, Sickened); Smite Evil

* With the Magic Weapon spell and his Divine Bond, Carter can swing around a +1 Holy Ladder <groan>

** The phrase “Filthy Hippiez” is crudely scratched on the back of this left-hand gauntlet.

*** The words “Vamp”, “Ratpeople” and “Lawyer” are carved into the back of this right-hand gauntlet.

**** Yes, a pig.

- jatori

New Pratchett – Unseen Academicals

Why doesn’t anybody tell me these things? How did this slip through my elaborate network of informants and ne’erdowells? (I’m looking at you pb and j…)

http://www.harpercollins.com/features/pratchettbooks/description.aspx?isbn=9780061161704

A new Pratchett book is out – and I want the world to know about it. I’m getting it first thing in the morning. Or at the earliest convenience of the local bookstore.