Fimbulvinter

Polycarp · January 28, 2012, 02:46:54 AM

To be honest, I'm not sure what the purpose of tinkering with massive damage is in a low-level, potentially E6 game. Massive damage is generally a means to prevent 15th level barbarians with 20 Con from shrugging off meteor strikes with a mere scratch. A 3rd level character with 14 Con is going to be in tremendous trouble if they take 20 damage even without a massive damage rule; depending on their class, they may already be unconscious before you can apply it. Making such potentially lethal hits even more lethal is, in my opinion, not really a positive change. Making things more random does not necessarily make them more gritty.

Xathan · January 28, 2012, 02:50:23 AM

I just want to point out that, based on an IRC discussion we had, I think Polycarp has excellent points from a flavor and mechanical viewpoint. I just like the idea of any hit being potentially lethal. But from a purely mechanical standpoint, I think he's right in that massive damage is not a good edition at lower levels, especially in e6, where the risk factor from it goes up exponentially relative to a level 10 or higher game.

This is a situation of which comes first - flavor or mechanics. Just keep in mind that, much as I may advocate it, it's best to keep in mind that if you're using these rules I'm going to roll up a backup character because I find it highly likely that Sjack will die. :P

Kindling · January 28, 2012, 05:47:41 AM

I was kind of assuming we'd be dying a lot in this game anyway....

I like the idea of the massive damage rules, but, similarly, if we're gonna be at low levels anyway I don't think it's a big deal. Getting hit is still scary without the rules at that point. I mean, even in CE where we're higher level and have reserve points to help us out, I have feared for Vetter's life several times after a couple of solid conventional attacks have landed on him.

Ghostman · January 28, 2012, 11:06:15 AM

Updated my character's background, redefining her as a member of the Ægir tribe. Also posted her stats.

Kindling · January 28, 2012, 11:28:40 AM

Quote from: Ghostman
She saw that most of the pirates and robbers were base scum, honorless dogs fighting just to pay for a few days of drinking and whoring, wholly lacking the ambition for greater glory that drove her on.

That's Ragnvaldr :)

Steerpike · January 28, 2012, 11:39:16 AM

Good points Polycarp - while I like the idea of a hit being instantly lethal, I think you're right overall. The game will be deadly enough without lowered massive damage.

I think we're ready to set a game-time. I've cleared some stuff with Llum - he won't make it this Wednesday but may make it to other sessions.

Would around 12:30 EST on Wednesdays work for at least 4-5 people? If not, we'll pick a new time. If there only one or two people who can`t make that then I`ll prioritize them + Llum for the next session.

Xathan · January 28, 2012, 11:42:40 AM

I'm ninety percent sure that would work - will confirm on monday when I get work schedule.

Ghostman · January 28, 2012, 11:46:36 AM

For the start of a game that time is alright for me. It's more a matter of how long the session will last.

Steerpike · January 28, 2012, 11:51:26 AM

I can do even earlier. 11:30 or even 11:00 EST could work too, so long as other people are OK with that.

Steerpike · January 28, 2012, 04:20:23 PM

Languages

North-Speech is the principle tongue of the North which all Northmen speak.

Southron is the common tongue the Southron peoples.

Gaeilish is the tongue of the Fir Bolg, inhabitants of the island of Ériu.

Cymric is the tongue of the island Avalon and the various tribal peoples who dwell there.

Bjarmic is the language of the Beormas, a people who live east of Kvenland.

Thule is the language of the Thules, who dwell on an icy island and sometimes war with the Northmen settled there.

Skrællish is the tongue of the Skrælings, inhabitants of a vast land in the distant west.

Húnnish is the language of the Húna, the fierce bow-wielding peoples of the eastern steppes.

Kvennic is the language of the strange bear-worshipping Kvenlanders.

Neuric is the tongue of the Neuri, a fair-haired people of the northeast.

Ásan is the unusual language of a far-flung folk from the other side of the world, further east even than the lands of the Neuri and the Húna.

Hunding is the tongue of the Hundings, or Dogfolk, a degenerate tribal people who sometimes raid the Northlands.

Dreki is the Dragon-tongue, which sounds like crackling flames. Humans can only speak a crude approximation of it.

Giantish is the harsh Jötunn language – the tongue of Rime Thurs, Múspellsmegir, Trolls, and similar beings.

Álfari is the sibilant, often unfathomable language of the Elves, both Light and Dark.

Dvergar is the intricate, ponderous tongue of the Dwarves. Learning it is said to drive lesser minds mad.

Helmál is the torturous tongue of the dishonoured dead, which always sounds screamed. It is rarely learned by the living, and is said to be painful to speak.

Steerpike · January 28, 2012, 07:01:36 PM

Alright's here's what I'm going to do: I'll sign on at around 11 am EST this coming Wednesday. Once 4-5 people show up, we'll begin. Latecomers after that point can be worked in pretty easily.

Kindling · January 29, 2012, 05:01:42 AM

I'll be there.

Superfluous Crow · January 29, 2012, 06:43:50 PM

I'm pretty sure I can't join this Wednesday, but I'd still like to roll up a character and drop in at some point.
Out of curiosity, which of the tribes most resemble the Finns?

Steerpike · January 29, 2012, 06:55:18 PM

The Kvenlanders are meant to represent the Sami/Finns. From what I've gathered the Finns had a quite distinct mythology and culture from their Norse neighbors, though they share some themes.

I'm sure some of you have picked up on my method for naming many of the non-Northern tribes, but for any who haven't, several are based on legendary, mythological, historically uncertain, or otherwise "lost" tribal Iron Age groups. The Fir Bolg are Celts, Neuri and Beormas are Proto-Slavs, Hundings are a legendary Germanic tribe, Thules are Inuit, etc.

Superfluous Crow · January 30, 2012, 08:27:25 AM

I tried making a völva seer, but she seems very ... frail. Assuming this scenario is going to include a fair amount of violence, she appears dangerously inefficient considering that she can't see beyond 30 ft and can't hit with a dagger. Hmm. Although she does have the nifty ability to read entrails. I'll post her here for now, but I might go back to tinkering with character concepts.

[spoiler=Siiv Sangsdottir]
Level 2 human oracle (seer) - time mystery

STR 10 +0 (0)
DEX 14 +2 (5)
CON 12 +1 (2)
INT 11 +0 (1)
WIS 12 +1 (2)
CHA 16 +3 (5)

Max HP: 11 (2d8+2)

BAB +1
AC 12

CMB +1
CMD 13

FORT +1
REF +2
WILL +4

Speed: 30ft

Melee attacks:
Dagger +1 1d4 19-20/x2

Skills (8 points):
Bluff +4 (1)
Diplomacy +8 (2)
Sense Motive +6 (2)
Knowledge (religion) +5 (2)
Survival +2(1)

Special Abilities:
Clouded Vision

Feats:
Extra Revelation (Aging Touch)

Revelations:
Aging Touch (1/day)
Natural Divination

Spells:
Orisons - Detect Magic, Light, Create Water, Detect Poison, Spark
1st (5) -Cure Light Wounds, Murderous Command, memory lapse

Equipment:
Ragged blindfold
Bone charms
Bone-handled knife
Grey robes
[/spoiler]

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