* * * Wizards Community Thread * * * -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Thread : I dunno what to think anymore.. (2nd ed) Started at 11-03-04 09:03 PM by KittenWarrior Visit at http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=332879 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 1] Author : KittenWarrior Date : 11-03-04 09:03 PM Thread Title : I dunno what to think anymore.. (2nd ed) I'm playing a half-elf fighter/cleric of Angharradh (lvls 6/7). Originally I joined the party to honour my lover by completing her quest (she was my previous character in this campaign who had just died). Another motivation was to find a high-level wizard and priest to restore her to life (she died from Mummy rot, which normally doesn't allow ressurection after a few rounds). The party is currently on Athas, traveling with a war-wagon to Nibenay. Last session I - along with two other partymembers - found myself very ill. Over the course of two nights while we were trying to figure out what was going on I lost 4(!) points of constitution. Finally we found that we were used as a breeding ground by some kind of worm.. Cutting the things out of my body cost me another 7 permanent hp. now losing that amount of Con doesn't have to be a big problem in 2nd ed, but I was only on 7 before this.. (started out at 11 - lost 2 points from being resurrected twice, and two points from having a pair of wings grafted onto my body) So here's the dilemma... being a fighter I feel being at 3 Con is not really viable. Given my alignment shifting from LG to CG (currently probably NG) and my reason for hanging out with this party getting thinner by the day (realistically, I don't see us finding someone with Wish capability any time soon), should I just give up and retire/commit suicide in a grand, selfless way? I should also mention that, as this is only my second D&D character ever, I've since found that a lot of choices I made at character creation weren't as smart as I thought, and I wouldn't mind trying to do a better job.. How would y'all feel about this? Cheers, KW -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 2] Author : Torack Date : 11-04-04 05:26 AM Oucharama! Personally, I'd take a close look at your priest spell list. See what spells will enhance abilities for a short time or allow you an edge in combat (Bless, Chant, Aid, Draw Upon Holy Might, Prayer etc.). I would fill my spell list with these and cast them before I would go into any type of battle. I would also consider calling in a favour from your deity, if you can. IIRC the Dark Sun world doesn't have any deities, but since you clearly are worshipping one(Angharradh, never heard of it) it might be worth looking into. I also find it odd that a simple Cure Disease didn't eliminate the parasites, since it specifically states that it can cure almost any affliction (including parasite infections) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 3] Author : MadBall Date : 11-04-04 08:26 AM I would recommend to carry on... when chance came I would fight ferociously as able and if I would die I would insist (Last Will) to be reincarnated instead. Especially as you are on Athas this could lead to interesting results and options, maybe you will be reborn as a Thri-Kreen or an Atahsian Halfling (very cool Guys!)... -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 4] Author : Varl Date : 11-04-04 10:29 PM Brutal. I hope he's as generous restoring lost Con points as he seems to be to taking them away. A 3 Con character is a seriously weak character, barely able to fend off the common cold, much less what the typical adventurer encounters. You could retire the character gracefully, and on your own terms, or you could gut it out to see how far you can take a Con 3 character before expiring. I know it can't be very fun to play a perpetually ill or weakened character, but you never know. Things might turn around. I don't know the character or the DM, so it's kinda hard to judge what to do. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 5] Author : KittenWarrior Date : 11-05-04 06:28 AM Thanks for the sympathy, guys! I needed that.. :cool: Personally, I'd take a close look at your priest spell list. See what spells will enhance abilities for a short time or allow you an edge in combat (Bless, Chant, Aid, Draw Upon Holy Might, Prayer etc.). I would fill my spell list with these and cast them before I would go into any type of battle. I was also considering just casting Flight of Remnis (specific spell for my deity; summons 32HD carnivorous birds to fight for you) instead of going into combat myself.. Actually magic sphere selection is one of the things I'd have liked to do differently in retrospect. I have minor access to All, Divination, Plant, Protection, Time and Travelers (yay! aura of Comfort). Major Access to Charm, Combat and Healing. In theory it looks sounds, but i've had very little help from, say, Divination and Time. My 'standard' spell list looks like this: 1x CLW (from expert healer class ability) level 1: 5x Orison (most are healing orisons, and some allow me a +1 to my next save) level 2: 1x Aura of Comfort 2x Barkskin (is going to be a problem, I'm running out of material component) level 3: 1x Dispel Magic 1x Wind Blast (another deity-specific spell; 4d4 damage in a cone, no save) level 4: 1x Flight of Remnis or Neutralize Poison I've only just leveled so I'm not sure what to pick for 4th level spells. I would also consider calling in a favour from your deity, if you can. IIRC the Dark Sun world doesn't have any deities, but since you clearly are worshipping one(Angharradh, never heard of it) it might be worth looking into. Angharradh is the unification of the three elven deities Aerdrie Faenya, Hanali Celanil and Sehanine Moonbow. She is described in Demihuman Deities. Since Sehanine is concerned with visions and dreams, I'd think there's plenty of opportunity for me to get 'in touch' with her, and I've been dropping a lot of hints to the DM that I would welcome something in that area. He seems reluctant to develop this, though. You could retire the character gracefully, and on your own terms, or you could gut it out to see how far you can take a Con 3 character before expiring. I know it can't be very fun to play a perpetually ill or weakened character, but you never know. Things might turn around. I don't know the character or the DM, so it's kinda hard to judge what to do. Well, I suppose I could wait until we get to Nibenay, where reportedly we could find some very capable healers.. The problem is that the campaign is going quite slow so I have no idea how long I'd be stuck with my current condition.. especially since we will most likely be expecte to perform some quest as payment for the healing, if I read the DM right.. So it's by no means a given that I'll even survive the rest of the trip (another 10 days game time I believe), what with halflings using poisoned darts, psionic catci and god knows what else attacking us.. I'll keep you guys posted on what happens... Cheers, KW -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 6] Author : Hiryu Date : 11-05-04 04:26 PM You started with 11 Con and now are at 3 Con before you even got to get a high level character. Uh-hum... you got raised twice already and got a pair of wings grafted into your body. Uh-hum, uh-hum... and your alignment also changed from Lawful to Chaotic. You know what I think the problem is here? You should find a good DM. It is a shame you are starting with someone that is so willing to overabuse his power over the characters and the game rules. I know it's far from nice, I myself began playing with a DM like that, and it can get very boring and frustrating very fast. Constant ressurecting, huge stat losses, constant player deaths, ludicrous events (such as allowing a character get wings grafted onto it's back, if anything, I would allow a magic item instead), poorly made random combats that are way beyond the party's ability and constant appearances by deities, avatars and 20th level characters are all signs of an ameteurish, uncreative or just plain mean DM. Again, been there, done that, got the T-shirt, never want to go back. If I were you, I would simply state that my character is just too sickly and fragile now to adventure (I mean... come on, with Con 3 he shouldn't even get out of bed! That is the minimum constitution any human can possibly get without a damn powerful curse) and he is going to go back to his home and retire, probably using the spoils from his short adventuring carreer to hire other adventurers that can actually complete his quest. If you really want to keep playing it (or get convinced to do so), then roleplay his Con 3 to the best of your ability. For instance, the character could get tired very quickly, get constant dizzy spells, suffer from migranes, be knocked down or unconcious with a single blow, have nose bleeds, faint and/or throw up randomly, get sick very easily, etc. I am all for trying to play a character with low stats, but a guy with an ability score of 3 (specially Con) can be a real liability for a party. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 7] Author : Dwarven Beserker Date : 11-05-04 09:18 PM Rofl. I agree that you should get a new dm. My DM will smack my dwarf upside the head a lot of the time for doing stuff stupidly... (peeing on Lloth's altar and having a cloud of poison hit me for 2d10 comes to mind..) He may take away items, or damage some items, but he doesn't screw with my character points. Wow your constitution 3.... I'd offer your a klenex but you might knock yourself out blowing your nose. I personally don't like wings either, but hey, as long as there are suitable costs and you like it, go for it. but as I said before... 3 constitution is just ridiculous. Oh yah, watch out for strong breezes or wayward leaves.... those might knock you out.... -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 8] Author : Nifftin Date : 11-05-04 10:12 PM Hey now, I was a terrible DM. I was slow (very slow), had ill thought of puzzles and quest, and forcing my players along stuff they don't want... but I've changed! His DM can change! Anyways, playing a low stat character can have some very intresting role-playing results. Some ideas have been afore mentioned. Who knows, great rewards are often a result of great trials! Or you could retire peacefully and have a char. of yours meet your old one... -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 9] Author : Dwarven Beserker Date : 11-05-04 10:56 PM Hey now, I was a terrible DM. I was slow (very slow), had ill thought of puzzles and quest, and forcing my players along stuff they don't want... but I've changed! His DM can change! Anyways, playing a low stat character can have some very intresting role-playing results. Some ideas have been afore mentioned. Who knows, great rewards are often a result of great trials! Or you could retire peacefully and have a char. of yours meet your old one... Low stat. Mild disadvantage. Like a charism 6 dwarf. Lowest possible key stat. Major disadvantage. Like a warrior with 3 constitution unless if they only, and I mean only want to shadow box, then they can go ahead with that. I wouldnt mind having a constitution 3 character for the sheer comic gems I could pull out of it.... like taking constant breaks(hopefully not any bones...) to catch my breath. But even that would get bored for me after awhile. I would just go down in a blaze of glory... Hmmm got a tactical nuke? :D P.S. How about a custom made (because you seem so fond of customing everything) ring of blowing everything around it up in a 50' radius once it's wearer's heart stops.. which does exactly what its name says -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 10] Author : havard Date : 11-06-04 02:49 AM Getting a new DM sounds drastic IMO. I'd recommend discussing the problem with him (or her). Tell him that you are concerned about going on playing the character with such a low ability score, and has him what the chances are for restoring some of the lost points. Perhaps he just hasn't realized the consequences this has had for your character. Or perhaps he is planning on letting those healers in town restore the lost ability score points as you seem to imply. If they end up requiring you to perform a quest as payment, try to convince them that they restore your con _before_ you perform the quest. Afterall, with a Con 3 you aren't likely to survive and thus the quest won't be completed, so the healers won't get what they want either. And getting wings grafted onto your back? I think that rocks! :cool: I would have loved having that happen to one of my characters. You aren't much good as a fighter these days, but with those wings you could serve as an excellent scout for the party, detecting enemies long before they approach the party. Just make sure you are careful, so you don't end up being shot down or something. From a RP perspective, playing a sickly character can be interesting. Think of Raistlin! Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 11] Author : Nifftin Date : 11-06-04 02:52 PM When I was writing my previous post I was thinking about Raistlin. Plus, the character is part priest, so they're not completly useless. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 12] Author : Dwarven Beserker Date : 11-06-04 03:00 PM Raistlin was weak. Ill grant u that. But he was also the greatest mage ever. He defeated the gods. I dont think a con 3 priest is gonna be doing that or anything above killing a few orcs anytime soon. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 13] Author : KittenWarrior Date : 11-07-04 06:11 PM You started with 11 Con and now are at 3 Con before you even got to get a high level character. Uh-hum... you got raised twice already and got a pair of wings grafted into your body. Uh-hum, uh-hum... and your alignment also changed from Lawful to Chaotic.Well the alignment shift is mostly due to my own behavior.. And it's not a problem really.. In fact CG fits better with my deity, so it's in a way even 'logical'.. You know what I think the problem is here? You should find a good DM. It is a shame you are starting with someone that is so willing to overabuse his power over the characters and the game rules. I know it's far from nice, I myself began playing with a DM like that, and it can get very boring and frustrating very fast. Constant ressurecting, huge stat losses, constant player deaths, ludicrous events (such as allowing a character get wings grafted onto it's back, if anything, I would allow a magic item instead), poorly made random combats that are way beyond the party's ability and constant appearances by deities, avatars and 20th level characters are all signs of an ameteurish, uncreative or just plain mean DM. Again, been there, done that, got the T-shirt, never want to go back.It's not quite like that.. overall the campaign has been quite a lot of fun so far.. and the party has certainly been given chances.. I remember my previous character was about to be sacrificed to an evil god.. as the priest was cahnting i fought with a guard to get out of the summoning circle, at which I eventually succeeded.. later we found out that the summoning ritual would have gone on indefinitely as long as I was still trying to escape.. And as for the appearance of avatars, if anything my complaint would be that there's too little of that.. About the most powerful beings we encountered were a red dragon that we bargained with and two liches, one of which was actually good.. (unfortunately we had to defeat the other one before finding out about that..) And getting wings grafted onto your back? I think that rocks! I would have loved having that happen to one of my characters. Even though the -2 con hurt me pretty bad (it waqs then i started adding a con-enhancing item to my wish-list) it was fun, and it still is.. I was laughing my butt off over another partymember, an elven ranger. He wanted to add a point of dex, which he had done.. the process made him halfling-sized as a side effect though. After considering what that would do to his proficiency with longbow he decided to have it reversed.. From a RP perspective, playing a sickly character can be interesting. Think of Raistlin!I was wondering when Raist would come up.. the point is I'm trying to play a selfsacrificing, protect-the-innocent kind of character, and losing a substantial amoount of hp (semi)permanently, dropping some saves and having an endurance score of -2 doesn't seem to fit with that picture.. All I have going for me is that at least I'm the one holding the kickass ability-sucking sword... :cool: Cheers, KW -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 14] Author : KittenWarrior Date : 11-27-04 06:52 PM Thread Title : Update.. Just got back from the next session (well, the second-next actually, but i had to skip the previous one). I'm still at 3 Con, but I have had a vision. Just thought I'd share it and see what you have to say.. I saw the two moons of Athas dripping blood and ichor onto the ground. From the blood sprang a demon wielding a whip and staff, and from the golden (ichor?) puddle an angel sprang (or, as the DM put it, at the very least a winged Elf ;) ) The angelic figure wielded a sword of which the bottom half was silver and the top half black and spiked. They battled and the angel slew the demon. Then I saw a pool of blood with a castle hovering over it. Above the castle hung a gem (which I recognized to be a gem containing a soul; it was used by an evil Arcane for some kind of ritual and traded to a devil). Around the pool of blood stood a couple of humanoid figures which may have been our party. Then the view 'zoomed in' and I saw a hand retrieve the angel's sword from the pool. Now the sword could be the one I'm already wielding (although I never heard it described as half silver and black). The appearance of the 'angel' is obviously a reference to my character.. The appearance of the gem could be a hint that I'm to undertake the mission of trying to retrieve it, which is what we came to do in the first place. It's just that someone 'redirected' our portal to the Nine Hells to Athas without us knowing.. So that's the current state of affairs... we're still on our way to Nibenay in hope of finding a competent healer, and then we also need to think about a way off Athas.. Comments, tips, expressions of sympathy? ;) Cheers, KW -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 15] Author : Slyde Shadowdart Date : 11-28-04 11:43 PM Just a quick aside here: I don't think any of you that are bashing the DM have enough information to do so. For all you guys know, he's the type of DM that has a player waiting list because his stories are so good. Snap Judgements aisle five, Snap Judgements aisle five, thank you. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 16] Author : Torack Date : 11-29-04 07:31 AM I don't think I bashed any DM...but thanks for generalizing ;) As for what to do, I guess, the vision could be considered as a reminder of the original quest? Did you get a good look at the castle? Maybe it's somewhere near to where you currently are. Have your character ask around. Maybe it's closer then you originally thought. I'd still continue with this character. Good LUCK! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 17] Author : Slyde Shadowdart Date : 11-29-04 10:09 PM If the shoe doesn't fit, don't put it on. :D -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 18] Author : Torack Date : 11-30-04 03:27 AM Aw! But it's such a pretty shoe. Can I at least try it on? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Downloaded from Wizards Community (http://forums.gleemax.com) at 05-10-08 08:16 AM.