TRPG General Chat

nitsua60

00:44

@BESW These people know how to write a motto.

@BESW Just out of curiosity, has the LDS church made significant headway in parts Pacific?

Shalvenay

hey there @Yuuki

Yuuki

@Shalvenay Yo.

Shalvenay

how're things going?

Yuuki

Things are all right.

Shalvenay

good, good. how soon 'til you're in your own bed?

Yuuki

01:01

No idea, but drywall is currently up at around 50% of the first floor.

So maybe soon?

Shalvenay

cool, cool

hey there @PeterCooperJr.

trogdor

@nitsua60 do you mean Guam specifically or,....?

BESW

01:16

@nitsua60 Oh, it's a massive influence, especially in Melanesia and Polynesia.

Very complex stuff, I don't know a lot about it, but there's very strong, relatively old LDS communities throughout the Pacific.

You noticed the reference in the essay, I assume.

The Oracle

1

Q: Are questions of the form "what are all the X with property Y" on-topic?

BESW

Urrrgh I do not have time to write that movies.se answer. It would have to talk about how Miranda wrote Moana's "I want" song by going back to his teenage bedroom and trying to remember what it felt like to be a... Puerto Rican boy in the '90s...

And how every example of the Oceanic Trust's influence are trivial to theme and irrelephant to the story. Māui's not bald, that's great. But they still re-wrote a selfless hero who got by on his brains because he wasn't physically strong, into a self-important dude-bro. They cut a scene of Moana wasting a coconut, but her I Want song is completely disconnected from the reasons she wouldn't have wasted that coconut.

BESW

01:46

The Thing (listening device)

The Thing, also known as the Great Seal bug, was one of the first covert listening devices (or "bugs") to use passive techniques to transmit an audio signal. It was concealed inside a gift given by the Soviet Union to W. Averell Harriman, the United States Ambassador to the Soviet Union, on August 4, 1945. Because it was passive, needing electromagnetic energy from an outside source to become energized and activate, it is considered a predecessor of Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. == Creation == The Thing was designed by Soviet Russian inventor Léon Theremin, best-known for his...

Shalvenay

hey there @A_S00

A_S00

o/

Shalvenay

how're things going?

A_S00

decent, glad it's the weekend

pleased that, as always, I popped in here and immediately found like 5 interesting things linked by BESW

time to read about cold war surveillance!

BESW

Happy to be of service!

(If anybody hasn't noticed, I link even more random and unsolicited stuff in the Not A Bar.)

Peter Cooper Jr.

01:58

@Shalvenay @Shalvenay Hello!

BESW

[wave]

Shalvenay

@PeterCooperJr. how're things going?

Peter Cooper Jr.

@Shalvenay Just fine, I suppose. Trying to figure out a good way to find RPG players in my area.

I asked here earlier today, and somehow signed myself up for a game 2+ hours away for a few weeks. :)

BESW

Results!

Shalvenay

@PeterCooperJr. ah. I tend to lean on quite a bit of online play myself. I take it you've tried FLGSes and whatnot in your area?

Peter Cooper Jr.

02:02

Yeah, I should probably stop being so stubborn about looking offline.

The FLGSs aren't really that L (not terrible, but longer than I really want for a weekly commitment), and no, they don't have games going.

I think one does Adventure League on Wednesdays, but I'm not available then.

Part of the reason I want to get into this hobby is to get out the house occasionally, so doing it online doesn't quite meet that goal.

Shalvenay

@PeterCooperJr. ah, a point, yes. I should poke my head into the nearby FLGS come top o' the year

BESW

Shalvenay

well, maybe :) we'll see how my other games work out -- got an online and a RL/meatspace game set to start up

Peter Cooper Jr.

Though when I got my PHB a few months ago, the kids got really interested, and now they're hooked on playing. Which is actually doing a great job bringing us together as a family, and a lot of fun, but not quite what I had in mind.

BESW

I'll say, pretty much every RPG group I've ever been in was started by someone saying "I want to play RPGs, but nobody around here plays, so I'll get some friends and teach 'em."

Peter Cooper Jr.

02:06

Sure. But another reason I want to play is to meet and make friends. :)

Shalvenay

@PeterCooperJr. do you have any meatspace friend groups who'd be interested?

Peter Cooper Jr.

That's kind of the catch-22 problem. I'm mostly at home or at work, and I want to make some friends outside of that. Which is why I thought about getting back into the hobby (I played some in high school and college, but that was a while ago now). I'd be happy to teach and DM friends, but what I'm trying to do is find and make those friends.

I live in a place that's rural enough that's hard to find people, but not so rural that I think it's impossible. I'm sure there are groups around here, and just no good way for me to find them, or them to find new players if they're looking.

BESW

Have you checked for local geek groups on Facebook, G+, etc?

Shalvenay

@BESW yeah, the DM of my meatspace group is actually someone I first met online, xD

Peter Cooper Jr.

@BESW I have looked a little. I posted on Reddit's /r/LFG. I'm not really a Facebooker, but I did look a little there. I should probably dig a bit more, there, though.

Shalvenay

02:27

@PeterCooperJr. I take it you're solely a D&D 5e player then (at least for now)?

Peter Cooper Jr.

02:58

@Shalvenay I have no particular objection to learning any other system, but I still feel like I'm learning the ropes of 5E.

In theory I have my 2E books and even a 3E book in the house somewhere, I think.

Shalvenay

@PeterCooperJr. nods that's what I was thinking

Peter Cooper Jr.

And I'd be up for trying anything, really, if there was a nearby group that was using it.

But I need to be getting to bed. Good night, and thanks for the chat.

ATaco

03:19

"When is it hammer time?" For my Barbarian, 24/7.

Shalvenay

@ATaco heheheh. sounds like the type who'd bring a warhammer to a courtly duel ;)

ATaco

"I challenge you to a duel!" "AYE, HAMMERS AT DAWN!"

Shalvenay

(in the finest Polish noble-scoundrel tradition, even)

not that my Paladin would disagree with that choice of weapon, though, for that matter

ATaco

Crag is currently using a make-shift maul he got off a Bullywug, but it's the same idea.

Shalvenay

Jherala switches back and forth depending on what she's up to, although once she gets her proper pact blade, she'll probably lean on the warhammer for dueling and other formal occasions to avoid tipping her hand too much ;)

ATaco

03:27

Crag also has a Warpick that he uses for mining and 'picking' locks, but the Maul is preferred.

Shalvenay

@ATaco yeah, in Jherala's case, her hammer atm is a big, beaked, possibly spiked two-hander

might go to something 1h if I retcon her to sword&board tho

ATaco

Both his Warhammer and his Warpick are also one handed, and I believe the Warpick is technically light.

Shalvenay

I'd love to get Jherala into a real courtly campaign sometime though

btw, what race is Crag?

ATaco

Crag is a Hill Dwarf.

Shalvenay

ah

ATaco

03:33

He's not the brightest, but he's got a lot of heart.

Shalvenay

as to Jherala, she's a Bronze D'born sailor-princess from an island kingdom who was knighted by the fey courts (hence the Paladin/Warlock build I have planned for her)

never mind that she's built like a brick house (6'8", 260lbs of lean meat), eats like a warhorse, and has been known to swear like a sailor to punctuate her normally silver tongue

ATaco

Although Crag is a pretty strong beast, he always tries to talk his way out of things, even to creatures that are well and truely beyond reason, which sometimes works in his favour, and sometimes causes him to nearly be eaten by a troll because "Maybe it will listen if I feed him my zombie goblin"

Shalvenay

@ATaco lulz.

ATaco

He's also afraid of Wizards.

Shalvenay

@ATaco hahaha. but would he be afraid of a witch? ;)

ATaco

03:39

It's quite explicitely those who use that form of Arcane magic.

Shalvenay

@ATaco ah.

ATaco

Druids, Clerics, Warlocks and Sorcerers are all fine.

Shalvenay

yeah, I tend to not play wizards myself...playing one in 2e soured me slightly on just how dang squishy they are

BESW

New detective! [waits for chat profile to update]

trogdor

04:21

lol

nitsua60

@Shalvenay "I do not deny it, but it you desire my friendship you will never mention it again." (cc: @ATaco)

(apropos of dueling with unusual weapons)

BESW

05:49

I love this art: Ioana-Muresan's DeviantArt gallery

@trogdor, there's definitely some stuff in there for you.

trogdor

no idea what you mean, lizardfold dragons and dragonborn? never heard of em

also some tieflings, and Hellboy, those don't hurt either

BESW

06:19

1,000-Year-Old Illustrated Guide to the Medicinal Use of Plants Now Digitized & Put Online https://goo.gl/s8DnYZ

Tweeted by openculture on December 14, 2017 at 12:04 AM

Skyler

13:18

Hey guys, what would happen if someone does a 1 level dip in draconic origin and then wildshapes into a druid. Wild shapes states both that you change statistics and that you retain benefits of any class in two seperate areas, so would you leave it to the players discretion?

nitsua60

What game?

Skyler

5e

nitsua60

What do you mean "wildshapes into a druid?" Are you talking a Druid 2+/Sorcerer (Draconic) 1? And would I leave what to the player's discretion?

eimyr

13:35

@nitsua60 !!!!!

@nitsua60 prelaunch leak: Amazing Tales should debut on DTRPG this coming week, possibly on Monday

nitsua60

@eimyr That's your friend's one that I playtested? (</slash> continue to play with my kids, most recently Thursday night?)

"Little Adventures" I call it =)

eimyr

@nitsua60 Not really a friend, but a FOAF. but yes, the same one, only now it comes in hardcover A4 with lots of stuff

the author, Martin Lloyd had proofs sent from DTRPG and was happy enough to press the launch button

it hasn't been marketed very much so there doesn't seem to be a buzz around it, but RPGSE has some proper fans of the game, eh?

ATaco

My Barbarian's getting the Magic Initiate Feat.

He's gonna be a magical angry boi.

nitsua60

@eimyr I'll certainly buy one. That's cool =)

eimyr

@nitsua60 if you do, tell all your friends about it, if you don't tell all your enemies

nitsua60

13:45

(I may still end up playing the hack I made of it, but I can properly "thank" Martin through DTRPG.)

@ATaco What're you going to take?

ATaco

Druid, as it fits with his character.

nitsua60

Yeah, but which spells?

ATaco

Druidcraft, Produce flame, and i'm still thinking carefully about the Level 1 spell.

nitsua60

Any particular hole you're trying to fill?

ATaco

We're pretty lacking in healing, but I definitely don't want to fill that, we really just require better support.

Miniman

13:51

@Skyler Are you trying to asking whether Draconic Resilience works while Wild Shaped?

ATaco

Faerie Fire sounds like a good idea...

nitsua60

Jump is an interesting one, if your GM is tactical and likes to use terrain/ranging in encounters. If ever there's a turn where you can't get to melee, you take an action to make yourself Tigger for the encounter =)

@ATaco Concentration + Rage =\

ATaco

Riiiiiight.

Skyler

@Miniman ya

nitsua60

@Skyler I suggest asking it mainsite--we don't have that question, and I'd upvote it =)

ATaco

13:53

Jump would be a bit terrifying with a Barbarian.

Dwarf with a Warhammer bouncing around.

nitsua60

Gummi Bears Theme (Orginal)

►

Skyler

@nitsua60 doing so

nitsua60

@Skyler If you wait five minutes you'll get a hat =)

(4, now.)

Skyler

The line that seems to be sort of heavily implying you get the better of the two in wild shapes is "If the creature has the same proficiency as you and the bonus in its stat block is higher than yours, use the creature's bonus instead of yours. "

if AC counts as stat blck

eimyr

@nitsua60 this one stuck me with nostalgia. Thanks.

nitsua60

13:58

@Skyler But proficiency has no bearing...? AC is a statistic, as defined in the MM. So at first pass you get the wild shape's AC. Then on second pass we have Draconic Resilience as a class feature: WS says you get it if the new form is capable of it. That, it strikes me, is the root of the question.

Miniman

As a side note, I now know what my self-answered question will be, when I have a bit of time to post it.

nitsua60

Ditto--I remembered mine from the other night.

What's yours, if you don't mind?

Miniman

@nitsua60 My paranoia demands that I use discord for this :)

nitsua60

Mine's a strange one: I have a question I think would be good. It's not a simple, mechanical one; it's more gm-technique. I also have an answer. But I don't think it's the answer. So I think I'm going to post the question and then, a day or so later, post my answer.

trogdor

@nitsua60 I can't recall this song or video or anything, but somehow I recognize some of those bears

how dang odd

Skyler

14:08

1

Q: Draconic Resilience and Wild Shapes

Among the effects of Wild Shapes, these two: Your game Statistics are replaced by the Statistics of the beast, but you retain your alignment, personality, and Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores. You also retain all of your skill and saving throw proficiencies, in addition to gain...

dnd-5e class-feature wild-shape

done

oh wow someone already voted it up

nitsua60

@Skyler toldya I would =D

trogdor

14:24

lol

nitsua60

Any tips for running an urban intrigue campaign in 5e? (I know there are better systems, let's just take it as a given that I will be doing this in 5e, for $REASONS)

Szega

@nitsua60 Any particular problem you want to solve?

nitsua60

Nope. I've never run one, never played one, don't know what usual traps I'm about to fall into =)

Szega

@nitsua60 Well, most class abilities are combat oriented in DnD, so people might feel left out very easily

casters are a bit better off, but still

the system is technically capable of handling it, but character abilities are not designed for it

nitsua60

Good point, thanks.

Szega

14:39

Would the characters be designed for this specially, or is this in the middle of a "classic" campaign?

nitsua60

Designed. To the extent the players decide to do so.

I.e. new characters, and the players have been told it's urban intrigue.

Szega

That might help. Do not expect to see many fighters or barbarians.

It will also have a very different feel if the chars are higher level.

nitsua60

Those I do see should totally take jump for their rooftop overwatch operations =)

Szega

They might be able to circumvent many problems

Shalvenay

15:42

hey there @Zachiel

Zachiel

Heya

Shalvenay

how're things going?

Zachiel

Still no PC/laptop. I'm tempted by a PC+tablet combo.

Shalvenay

@Zachiel ah

Zachiel

Apparently, most things I do right now that require a laptop can be done with a tablet instead

Shalvenay

15:46

@Zachiel that is a point, although the "walled garden" characteristics of tablet OSes are a downer

Zachiel

The only thing I worry about is my old offline D&D character creator from the "enlist to DDI for a month, then disappear for 12 more" era.

Shalvenay

16:02

@Zachiel you should be able to pull the hard drive out of the old laptop and put it in an appropriate external enclosure

Zachiel

@Shalvenay Ah, it's not recovering it, it's having it run on a tablet.

Shalvenay

@Zachiel oh, yeah. that'd be a bit of an issue, yes

Zachiel

@Shalvenay I guess I'll shift to the "improvise now, check rules later" school

Also, the guy who owns the PHB will have to bring it to the gaming table.

Committing skill usage to mind is hard.

Meanwhile, I played some PF with my party and we have no AoE and it's horrible.

@Shalvenay Last combat consisted of an alchemist getting surprise on our party because we explored the current room before checking the next door. Which meant he got two shots at me before the rest of the party could get in, and one of the three scythe-wielding mooks did the rest.
I only had a single turn where I missed AC13, and then the mooks positioned between me and the cleric, and the alchemist was able to throw every single one of its 3 alchemical fires and 7 bombs before we could get to him, only to chug an invisibility potion when we managed to hit him once.

Shalvenay

ouch

Zachiel

Maybe AC 21 at level 4 is not enough

nitsua60

18:25

20

A: Can my Dragonborn Druid use their breath weapon in wild shape?

Yes. Per Jeremy Crawford on Sage Advice: Q: Could a dragonborn druid use breath weapon while wildshaped into, like, a wolf? A: The dragonborn's Breath Weapon trait requires exhalation. No anatomy is specified. Does your beast form have a mouth? You can exhale.

I don't know the guy, but Jeremy strikes me as a little dismissive there. "Breath weapon trait requires exhalation... does your beast form have a mouth?"

I'd point out that breath weapons also require one to be dragonborn, but I don't feel like registering for a twitter account just to pick a fight.

So I'll kvetch into the void, instead.

Shalvenay

hey there @nitsua60

nitsua60

@Shalvenay hiya

Shalvenay

how're things going?

nitsua60

Okay. About to run out to do the weekend's errands. And making, for the first time in my adult life, soup from scratch.

Shalvenay

hey there @Alphaeus

Alphaeus

18:34

Hey mate

Shalvenay

how're things going?

Alphaeus

Pretty good

going to be a long day today

Shalvenay

@Alphaeus oh, how so?

Alphaeus

Just tons of work stuff that has to be done before Sunday

Shalvenay

@Alphaeus ah

Alphaeus

18:35

That said, I did enjoy The Last Jedi

doppelgreener

same

Alphaeus

I was surprised though, I'll say that. For the sake of those who haven't seen it, though, won't go further

Except to say totally out of relation to the movie that I'll miss Carrie Fisher's presence in future Star Wars films.

Shalvenay

19:40

hey there @kviiri

Shalvenay

21:36

hey there @Skyler

Skyler

Yo shal

how goes it

Shalvenay

alright here, as for you?

Skyler

i asked a question that so far seems to have a given a bit of an unsatisfying answer cuz I used the wrong example

Shalvenay

@Skyler oops.

trying to work out a bit of worldbuilding here

Skyler

21:54

@Shalvenay what's the world like

Shalvenay

@Skyler trying to figure out how to make gunpowder possible, but percussion caps not so possible

Skyler

@Shalvenay why tho?

and also you could just make it undiscovered atm

took quite a while for us to come up with it

nitsua60

@Skyler I'm going to go ahead and revert that WS AC question to its earlier form. As it stands you've got three answers to your original question that now don't apply. If that Q&A has helped you identify another question you'd like to ask, go ahead and ask that in its own post. No crime to post many, good questions here.

Skyler

@nitsua60 ok good point

kviiri

22:22

@Shalvenay Oh hi

Sorry for the late reply, I absentmindedly opened chat and forgot I was here :)

Shalvenay

heheheh :) how're things going?

kviiri

Busy with Christmas stuff mostly, no time for RPGs :<

We're making gifts for friends and relatives, we need to have the first batch ready by tomorrow night because they're going to another town and we won't have time to bring them later

Shalvenay

22:47

hey again @Alphaeus, how'd the work go?

Alphaeus

Pretty good so far

Just got back from meetings, now to do all of the report work

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