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I liked how they introduced her, like "her mother died in an insane asylum thinking she was Queen Victoria" and my thought was, I like where I think this is going. I was not disappointed.

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Messages - Doktor Howl

#46
RPG Ghetto / Re: Campaign notes
December 27, 2024, 05:42:18 PM
The idea here is that there are very few keyed encounters.  Most monsters roam in various zones.  Most wandering monsters carry no loot (see description for exceptions), most loot is keyed.

The areas overlap as follows

D20
1-5 no result.
6 overlap.  Roll on the least dangerous adjacent area's table.  Treat overlaps on that table as no result.  If there are less than two overlapping zones, treat as no result.
7-18 add monsters appropriate to the zone the PCs are in.  If the population of that monster is eliminated, treat the roll as no result.
19 roll on the events table
20 overlap with most dangerous adjacent table.  Treat overlaps on that table as no result.  If there are no overlaps, treat as no result.

Checks are made when a zone is entered (even if they step out of the zone and right back in), and once per hour while in that zone, or when combat occurs (at a -5 on the die roll).

Other modifiers

PCs are using a light source (dim) +1
PCs are using a brighter light source +1, stacks with dim light.
PCs are loud +1 (does not include combat, see above.  If the PCs argue or the lowest passive stealth is less than 5, this modifier applies. Passive stealth for PF1e is 10 plus total skill/armor check value.
PCs are very loud +1, stacks with loud.  DM discretion.
#47
RPG Ghetto / Re: Campaign notes
December 27, 2024, 05:29:56 PM
Wandering Monster Zones and overlaps

B1-B4, overlaps with level A zone and Level C Zone (enter location)
B7-B8, overlaps with level A zone
B7-B8, overlaps with level A zone
B15-B18 overlaps with level C Zone (enter location)

No wandering monsters in B5, B12, B13-14 under any circumstances.

#48
RPG Ghetto / Re: Campaign notes
December 27, 2024, 05:21:57 PM
B14 Cell Block

This long hall has 19 cells and room to dig out several more.  There are no bars, but instead a shimmering wall of force.  Inside 18 of the cells are various human male and females stuck in what appears to be statis.  They are obviously arcane spellcasters of one kind or another, complete with robes, staves, and obvious other magical items.  The last cell contains a female drow priestess.

Opening a cell requires a disintegrate spell or a dispel magic vs CL20. 

If a cell is opened, the stasis inside ends in 1d3 rounds, and all 5 magical warriors (minus any killed that day) show up in 2 rounds and immediately attack the PCs and the prisoner, with intent to kill.

The prisoners are all evil spellcasters with ideas of taking over the empire in one manner or another.  If freed, they will attempt to dominate or kill the PCs.  If dominated, the PCs will be used to fight off the magical warriors.  Should they survive, they will then be used as meat shields while the prisoner tries to get out of the palace.  At that point the mad emperor will intervene, and everyone should roll up new characters.
#49
RPG Ghetto / Re: Campaign notes
December 27, 2024, 05:15:26 PM
B13 guard room

This large alcove has a couch, a table and 4 chairs, and tapestries on the wall.  It show signs of continual occupation.

Monsters:  Magical Warrior, 30% chance of being present.  If he is here, he will be unfriendly and demand that the PCs leave this restricted space.  If they do not immediately comply, he moves to hostile and attacks.  If made indifferent or better, he explains that the area beyond contains extremely dangerous prisoners, but asks them to go back the way they came when the conversation ends.  If they do not, he shrugs and attacks.

Traps:  None.

Treasure:  The tapestries (4 in all) are worth 2000 GP to the right buyer but weigh 60 pounds each.

Notes:  No wandering monsters will enter this area or B14.
#50
Aneristic Illusions / Re: The Resistance 2.0!
December 27, 2024, 05:06:04 PM
Quote from: Bruno on December 27, 2024, 05:37:49 AMI, for one, would like too see the maximum positive outcome from this event.

I don't see the need for any further loss of life from either the bourgeoisie (including the petit bourgeoisie (who was the recipient of this latest action)) or the proletariat (that's YUO!)

Well, I would like $100 million and 30 minutes in the Orgasmatron with Lady Gaga.

The odds of our various asks being granted are exactly the same.
#51
Aneristic Illusions / Re: There Can Be Only One!
December 27, 2024, 05:03:05 PM
Quote from: Faust on December 27, 2024, 04:06:29 PMThey got what they needed out of him, 100mil for the war chest, they have used him and will now discard him.

No, not yet.   :lulz:

Not until he plays the villain with DOGE.  Then he'll be forced out or have a sudden health condition, and the blame for the wreckage will be hung around his neck.
#52
Quote from: Pergamos on December 25, 2024, 05:21:24 PM
Quote from: Brother Mythos on December 21, 2024, 11:21:58 PMI admit it, I love making fun of Steve Bannon. Still, there are times when I unexpectedly find myself in agreement with a political enemy on a particular issue, even though we're both seeking totally different "big picture" end results. And, what Bannon had to say in the following article is one of those times:

"'We have to increase taxes on the wealthy': Steve Bannon"

I gave up trying to find a couple of succinct quotations that clearly summarize the contents of this article. Nevertheless, Bannon does clearly explain why he advocates taxing the rich. Further, Bannon's calculated appeal to populism is something the Democratic Party, leftists, etc. need to study and emulate.

I think if Trump followed this playbook, increased corporate taxes and taxes on the wealthy, along with actual middle class tax cuts, whether that's the over time and tip ones Bannon is talking about, or simply reducing income tax on the lower tax tiers, that he'd be setting up the kind of long term thing Bannon also talks about.  Even if the middle class ended up paying more in taxes, because of tariffs.

However I can't imagine that's what's actually going to happen. The tax plan that I am hearing about includes more cuts for the wealthy and from what I hear the overtime tax cut consists of removing mandatory overtime pay.  Those actions will alienate the folks who supported him and probably lead to Democrats taking Congress in the midterms.

Trump will act only to benefit the 14 billionaires he's nominated to various positions, along with some billionaires that just hand him money.

He has to put $2 trillion together to enact his billionaire tax cut, and I'll give you precisely 3 guesses as to where he will find that money.

Hint:  It's not coming out of the pockets that it is intended to line.
#53
Apple Talk / Re: Tales from the Cutting Edge
December 23, 2024, 07:59:51 PM
Just took delivery of a pallet of M2 machine guns.  In broad daylight.  Legally.

This is my United States of Whatever.
#54
Apple Talk / Re: You sunk my pile of shit
December 23, 2024, 07:54:26 PM
Quote from: Faust on December 23, 2024, 07:50:19 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on December 23, 2024, 07:39:44 PMThe Resistance™ is already a neutered, safe, shrink-wrapped Conspiracy™ product.  The Church of Discordia doesn't exist.  The Subgeniuses are too old to care, and Lemmy is dead.


Yeah at the moment the "resistance" and discordia are looking less and less like a savior,
Hell the church of the shrike is looking more like it has some kind of well being for us

Discordia is a pile of radioactive butthurt.  It is useless.

Please note that I do not exclude myself from that.  It is what it is.

The resistance is what Discordia was in 2003.  People cosplaying resistance to an evil government, patting themselves on the back while Cenk Uygur and John Fetterman go on right wing media to kiss MAGA ass.

#55
Apple Talk / Re: You sunk my pile of shit
December 23, 2024, 07:39:44 PM
What's next, you ask?

Oh, my.  So many things.  It's a bad time to be Gay or transgender or have too much melanin in your genetic make up.  It's a bad time to talk about the republic, even in a closed room all by yourself.

Your laptop and tablet are probably spying on you.  Your cellphone IS spying on you.  It is a race between your electronics turning you in and your children turning you in for a gold star and the praise of the Perfect State™.

Our new president, Elon Musk, and this Mr Trump fellow that works for him are seriously talking about annexing Canada and Greenland and having military adventures in Mexico.  Tariffs will eat you alive.  People around you will disappear seemingly at random, swooped up by ICE and dumped on the Mexican side of Nogales, even if they are American citizens.

Your paperwork is not in order.  You will not be able to explain yourself in a satisfactory manner.  You are in fact DOOMED, and it is against my religion to tell You People that you will be okay when you are doomed.

You cannot win, They own the ball AND the ballpark.  You cannot even break even.  Every day is a further erosion of your rights and your standard of living.  You can't even quit the game, because everywhere you could run to is America™.  Even countries that hate America. Especially the ones that hate America.

You will in fact lose, and you will be consumed by the monoculture and made safe.  Made to be not so threatening, with your unregulated running around and hollering.  You will not freak the mundanes, because they could - and have - changed the rules in a shockingly short amount of time to ensure that you SIT DOWN and SHUT THE FUCK UP.

The Resistance™ is already a neutered, safe, shrink-wrapped Conspiracy™ product.  The Church of Discordia doesn't exist.  The Subgeniuses are too old to care, and Lemmy is dead.

There is nothing for you here.  So enjoy your stay.



#56
Quote from: Pergamos on December 20, 2024, 05:34:14 PM
Quote from: Brother Mythos on June 20, 2024, 11:54:31 PMI have never fired a rifle equipped with a bump stock. But, it is my understanding that bump stocks severely reduce the accuracy of such a rifle. So, that make a rifle equipped with a bump stock unsuitable for target shooting. In any case, automatic, and even semi-automatic rifles can not be legally used for hunting game in, at least, my state. (There used to be an exception allowing handicapped hunters to use semi-automatic rifles, and that exception may still exist.)

So, what is a rifle equipped with a bump stock actually good for? Well, as has already been well proven, it's a great choice for an indiscriminate mass shooter.

"Republicans block bill to outlaw bump stocks for rifles after Supreme Court lifts Trump-era ban"

As per this article:

"WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans blocked bipartisan legislation Tuesday that would have outlawed bump stocks after the Supreme Court struck down a ban on the rapid-fire gun accessory used in the deadliest shooting in modern U.S. history.

Democrats tried to force a voice vote on the bill to ban bump stocks, a tactic often used by both parties when they know that they don't have the votes to pass legislation but want to bring an issue to the Senate floor. The bill, sponsored by Sens. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, would ban the sale of the devices, similar to the rule issued by President Donald Trump's administration after a gunman in Las Vegas attacked a country music festival in 2017 with semiautomatic rifles equipped with the accessories."

And, as per further along in this article:

"Nebraska Sen. Pete Ricketts objected for Republicans, blocking an immediate vote on the bill. He called the legislation a "gun grabbing overreach" that could be interpreted to include other gun accessories beyond bump stocks."

Here's this link:    Republicult™ Blocks Bill Outlawing Bump Stocks

As surviving a mass shooting, as well as initiating one, is becoming something a 'rite of passage' in the US of A, the Republicult™ is certainly doing its part to make sure it actually becomes another 'Merican tradition.

someone facing a lynch mob is also an "indiscriminate mass shooter" That particular situation gets ignored by Dems and GOP both, but an automatic weapon is extremely nice to have if you are facing a mob.

A Halligan tool is better.  Both options still wind up with you dead, but if you use a Halligan tool, people will talk about it in hushed tones for three generations.
#57
RPG Ghetto / Re: Campaign notes
December 20, 2024, 05:17:35 PM
B12  Library

This hexagonal room has several large tables with chairs scattered throughout.  There is a door on each wall.  Books removed from the library complex teleport back to their original location when left unattended for more than 1 hour.  Exception:  See area E.  This complex and the hallway leading to it are not subject to wandering monster checks for any reason.  All noises made in the main library room are reduced in volume by one level.  Jack cannot communicate to people in this area, even if a mirror is present.

a.  Magical repository.  This library of tomes on magical theory functions at -1 knowledge (arcana) and -1 spellcraft if permission to use it has not been granted by the mad emperor, as the library itself obstructs research (books move to incorrect areas, etc).  If the mad emperor has given permission to use his libraries, it instead grants a +5 to research, as the library actively assists in research.

b.  scriptoriums.  These rooms hold writing stands and were obviously intended for use in copying texts.  People copying spells or text do so in 1/3rd the normal time required.  This is a transmutation and morale effect.  This effect is not modified by permission.

C.  History repository.  -2 knowledge (history/nobility) without permission, +4 with permission, as above.

d.  Cultural repository.  -2 knowledge (local/geography/religion) without permission, +4 with permission, as above.

e.  Restricted room.  This room has a sign on the door, reading "Restricted Stacks.  Keep out."  The door is locked (DC30) and trapped with a persistent maze spell and an alarm spell (Search DC 30, Disable DC30, CR5) that alerts the mad emperor and the magical warrior for this level.  This room offers no bouses or penalties for any research, but has several books that have been proscribed as dangerous and/or heretical [ADD TITLES/DETAILS].  Each book is itself trapped [TRAP DESCRIPTIONS WITH EACH TITLE].  Unlike the rest of the library, books taken from this room teleport back to their original location, while also resetting its trap.  A dimensional anchor will delay this for the duration of the spell, and a mage's disjunction will end the effect.  This is a conjuration (teleport) effect.

Monsters:  None.

Traps:  See area E.

Treasure:  None.
#58
Apple Talk / Re: It is with great regret I must report...
December 20, 2024, 12:39:29 AM
Needs a threat.
#59
Apple Talk / Re: It is with great regret I must report...
December 20, 2024, 12:39:13 AM
 :lulz:
#60
RPG Ghetto / Re: Campaign notes
December 18, 2024, 02:48:08 PM
The Mad Emperor
N Medium make human (augmented, mythic) Wiz(U)20/Archmage 10

Dryas III still considers himself the actual emperor.  After he arranged for the current emperor's grandfather to fold the palace Dryas lived in, he got down to the more serious concerns he had, leaving the day-to-day operation of the empire to what he considers underlings.  The various crisis the city has faced in the intervening 80 years have largely been beneath his notice, but he is pleased with the current emperor's habit of taking his job very seriously.

Dryas should be considered a dungeon feature, not a creature, not least because he could annihilate a party leveled 5-7 with no effort at all.  He is included to give the party information about the threat, and possibly give them permission to use his libraries and labs.

To gain his favor, the party must gain influence with him as if he were an organization, not a single individual.

Influence rank
0 - Dryas ignores the PCs, but at some point will give them a task.
1 - Dryas tells the party about the threat caused by folding.  Also informs party that their mutant dog is carrying a hag's eye in its stomach, put there by the changelings "familY" to spy on her.
2 - Dryas gives permission for the party to use his libraries (see library area, permission vs non-permission).
3 - Dryas gives permission for the party to use his laboratories (as library)
4 - Dryas describes the exact nature of the current folding threat and what is going on behind the scenes.  He also gives the party full permissions in the palace whenever they want to make use of the facilities.  This does not prevent monster attacks but does keep the magical warriors from attacking (they will simply ignore the party).

Dryas is unconcerned about the PCs having killed his magical warriors, as he just puts them back when he gets around to it.  Likewise with damage to the palace (which rebuilds itself the following night).  Lastly, he doesn't care if they loot the place, as he has no need of wealth, and he can just make more if he has reason to.  He in fact replaces wealth when a party is done exploring/gets killed, so there will be something for the next group.  He approves of adventurers as the are for the most part not "decadent layabouts and drones."

Tasks from Dryas:
1.  Convince the Marid Shezarade to get over her snit (see her room entry), as he misses her stories.
2.  Check up on something in the city that he has lost track of.
Add at least 8 more as I go.