I’ve been watching the other D&D games, and really really enjoying reading them.
But I have no idea how to Really play these sorts of things/Rules or such, yet I’ve always wanted to join a game with other people and learn. But I do read OotS, Goblins, and a few other similar Web comics (“I declare my dodge on You!”)
Do you think you can take a total newbie on, who just really wants to learn to Play? I’m a pretty quick learner.
I know I’m also just a guest for now, but I’ll probably become a full dude before then. If not, I could always have a fitting Viking’s Death at Sea or something. -_-
I’ve been watching the other D&D games, and really really enjoying reading them.
But I have no idea how to Really play these sorts of things/Rules or such, yet I’ve always wanted to join a game with other people and learn. But I do read OotS, Goblins, and a few other similar Web comics (“I declare my dodge on You!”)
Do you think you can take a total newbie on, who just really wants to learn to Play? I’m a pretty quick learner.
I know I’m also just a guest for now, but I’ll probably become a full dude before then. If not, I could always have a fitting Viking’s Death at Sea or something. -_-
[/QUOTE]
Sure, if you’ve read OotS then you know pretty much what goes on. You may, however, be unable to read my profile for my email without subscribing, and you’ll need that for getting your character set up. As to playing, all you really need to do is declare what you want to do, and I’ll interpret that in terms of any capabilities you have. If you play as a fighter, that’ll leave you with the least to pick up and let you concentrate on just the role-playing.
Classes:
Fighter - The basic Viking man at arms, able to use all weapons (restricted to cultural weapons when first created) and armour (restricted to chain or lighter when first created). May specialise in a single weapon (costing one extra proficiency) for +1 to hit/+2 damage.
Berserker - Rare and dreaded warriors who wear no armour, are renowned for fearlessness and their terrifying aspect, and are rumoured to develop mystic powers. The same weapon skills as Fighters.
Rune-priest - Clerics who revere all the Aesir (as do all Vikings) but typically devote themselves to the service of one. The mysteries of each sect are not common knowledge to the layman. As Vikings first and foremost, they are still expected to use cultural weapons, and each sect has its favourite; for instance, Thor’s priests are famed for their prowess with the hammer.
Wizard - Rare and regarded with awe mixed with deep suspicion, the Viking wizard is still expected to know the use of at least one cultural weapon, and so has less time for magical study than his civilised brother. (Choose one weapon to wield using the cleric’s To Hit table, but give up one of the following: all Abjurations, all Alterations, all Conjurations, all Enchantments, all Evocations, all Illusions, or all Necromancy.)
Skald - This Viking bard is a popular entertainer and keeper of lore. He is reputed to have magical talents quite distinct from the rune-priest’s or the wizard’s. The class is based on the 2nd Edition bard, but with Charisma-based spellcasting based on 3rd Edition.
Thief - Since thievery is not a paying profession in the isolated settlements, but a skilled infiltrator and treasure-finder is still useful to have along on a raid, thieves are handled differently in the campaign. They advance on the fighter’s experience table instead of the thief’s, and cannot Read Languages, but they roll d8s for hit points, attack on the cleric’s To Hit table, and may use any cultural weapon, beginning with three proficiencies. As in 2nd edition AD&D, thieves can choose which skills to favour.
Literacy: Most Vikings are illiterate. Reading and writing is a class skill for skalds, rune-priests and wizards.
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This looks an interesting choice of characters!
Can a Fighter specialise twice (or more) in the same weapon?
Do Rune Priests get Wisdom spell bonuses?
I only have the 1st Edition Bard (not very balanced :eek: ) - what are the main differences in your Skald? Does the Skald player have to have poetical* ability?
In general, will a Thief have regular opportunities to Hide in Shadows (i.e. what are the likely chances on a longboat / in a meeting hall / marching along / in a town?
*my limit is:
The Skald stood on the burning deck,
Whence all but he had fled.
His Jarl had told him what to do,
But he’d forgotten what he’d said.
Fighters can’t double-specialise. They should have no real need to.
Rune-Priests in general have standard clerical abilities as far as spells go.
The Skald is based on the 2e bard with a hint of 3e - sort of like a Thief with a reduced set of skills but some spell ability to compensate. The player need know no more of poetry than the Wizard needs to know real magic
[QUOTE=Malacandra]
You may, however, be unable to read my profile for my email without subscribing, and you’ll need that for getting your character set up. As to playing, all you really need to do is declare what you want to do, and I’ll interpret that in terms of any capabilities you have. If you play as a fighter, that’ll leave you with the least to pick up and let you concentrate on just the role-playing.
[/QUOTE]
You’re right about the whole reading the profile thing. Hmmm, Is there perhaps a chance you can access my profile and MY email/pm instead?
And I would like to go for the Wizard role, mostly because that Necromancy aspect just caught my eye.
In my enthusiasm for Vikings, it completely slipped my mind that I’m going to be out of computer contact for a couple of weeks at the beginning of the month.
So I probably shouldn’t be signing on for this particular adventure.
A shame, it sounds like it’s going to be a lot of fun.
[QUOTE=appleciders]
I’m still most interested in playing a Druid, but if that’s out, sign me up as a cleric.
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OK. You need to pick yourself an As (a god) as the powers will vary a bit from one to another. Popular choices include Thor, Odin and Tyr.
glee, a thief will have little chance to practise any of the classical skills aboard ship, but a respectable amount of the campaign will take place on dry land and not necessarily in full loot/pillage/burn mode.
Skalds have no stealth skills or ability with locks or traps, but they do get to choose which of their remaining skills to favour just as thieves do.
glee, a thief will have little chance to practise any of the classical skills aboard ship, but a respectable amount of the campaign will take place on dry land and not necessarily in full loot/pillage/burn mode.
Skalds have no stealth skills or ability with locks or traps, but they do get to choose which of their remaining skills to favour just as thieves do.
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I’m sure you can see my cautious thinking on the Thief class - a 4th / 5th level Thief will struggle to get his Move Silently and Hide in Shadows high enough to risk scouting ahead (and he’d have to neglect all other skills as well).
So Skalds focus their thief skills on just Climbing / Hear Noise / Pick Pockets / Read Language?
Obviously that’s a secondary part of the character though…
Will one Cleric type provide enough healing, considering those unarmoured enthusiastic Beserkers?!
Of course it is enormously tempting for a calm, polite teacher to play a Berserker (all that repressed rage! :eek: ) - can you give hints about their mystic powers?
Do you think you can take a total newbie on, who just really wants to learn to Play? I’m a pretty quick learner.
…
And I would like to go for the Wizard role, mostly because that Necromancy aspect just caught my eye.
[/QUOTE]
I hope you don’t mind me echoing Malacandra’s advice - playing a Fighter-type is by far the easiest for a newcomer. (In my school roleplaying club, Fighters can start straightaway. Spell casters need an hour or two of instruction and guidance before they play.)
Fighters are tough to hit, can take the most damage and have a clear role at all times.
Wizards are easiest to be hit, go down quickest and have tricky decisions (which become clearer if you watch them being played first).
Necromancy doesn’t mean a Wizard will regularly control Undead (Evil Clerics specialise in that). There are just a handful of Wizard necromantic spells (like Feign Death, Animate Dead and Reincarnation) and most of these are not available to players of levels 4-5 (where this game is set).
I’d actually expect a Viking Wizard to give up Necromancy completely (to earn his weapon skill).
[QUOTE=glee]
I’m sure you can see my cautious thinking on the Thief class - a 4th / 5th level Thief will struggle to get his Move Silently and Hide in Shadows high enough to risk scouting ahead (and he’d have to neglect all other skills as well).
So Skalds focus their thief skills on just Climbing / Hear Noise / Pick Pockets / Read Language?
Obviously that’s a secondary part of the character though…
Will one Cleric type provide enough healing, considering those unarmoured enthusiastic Beserkers?!
Of course it is enormously tempting for a calm, polite teacher to play a Berserker (all that repressed rage! :eek: ) - can you give hints about their mystic powers?
[/QUOTE]
Thieves: Actually, with a small starting percentage, plus 60 points to share out at 1st level, plus 30 points per level for the next four, and any Dexterity bonuses that may be going, a 5th level Thief is well into the 90% bracket in both skills and thinking about diversifying. True, you have to neglect all other skills, but then there would be nothing to look forward to if you were really good at everything by 5th level. You need to decide whether you’re going to be a sneak or a trapspringer, really.
Skalds: Yes. They have some unique bard powers too (inspirational poetry and song, influencing NPC reactions, legend lore) plus spellcasting (which I’ll be restricting to illusions, enchantments and perhaps another school such as alteration) so they’ll have plenty to occupy themselves.
Berserkers: They are famous for flying into a battle rage in which they strike mighty blows and no weapon seems to harm them. Lesser men flee in fear before berserkers. Anecdotally, some berserkers even appear monstrous in battle! Only the berserkers themselves know the whole truth, of course. When not in a rage they can be the most amenable of men.
[QUOTE=glee]
I hope you don’t mind me echoing Malacandra’s advice - playing a Fighter-type is by far the easiest for a newcomer. (In my school roleplaying club, Fighters can start straightaway. Spell casters need an hour or two of instruction and guidance before they play.)
Fighters are tough to hit, can take the most damage and have a clear role at all times.
Wizards are easiest to be hit, go down quickest and have tricky decisions (which become clearer if you watch them being played first).
Necromancy doesn’t mean a Wizard will regularly control Undead (Evil Clerics specialise in that). There are just a handful of Wizard necromantic spells (like Feign Death, Animate Dead and Reincarnation) and most of these are not available to players of levels 4-5 (where this game is set).
I’d actually expect a Viking Wizard to give up Necromancy completely (to earn his weapon skill).
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Quite true, although if Mera’s dead (!) set on playing a Necro I’ll see what I can do to accomodate him. Still, Evocation or Transmutation is more fun (blowing things up, or changing them).
I’d rather not be a fighter, but i’m open to other suggestions. I have a feeling I’m not exactly going to be the bravest of sorts. And I’ve been reading the D&D 1 thread actually, and I like the Woses fellow (if he’s the peaceful one that doesn’t like killing things). I could go for that. Set out to see the world, learn some new things, meet beautiful women, write about fantastic pillaging adventures, but really not get hurt in the process if at all possible.
I had to dig up a few earthy comments about how animated this stuff makes me. However the office gave me no suggestions (there’s just a skeleton staff in today). But I don’t want to turn it into a zombie thread.
[QUOTE=Mera Naam Joker]
Oh, call me Roosh by the way.
Mera just sounds weird to my ears.
[/quote]
[Channeling my pupils] Yo Roosh .. wicked .. what’s 'appening, dude? :eek:
[QUOTE=Mera Naam Joker]
I’d rather not be a fighter, but i’m open to other suggestions. I have a feeling I’m not exactly going to be the bravest of sorts. And I’ve been reading the D&D 1 thread actually, and I like the Woses fellow (if he’s the peaceful one that doesn’t like killing things). I could go for that. Set out to see the world, learn some new things, meet beautiful women, write about fantastic pillaging adventures, but really not get hurt in the process if at all possible.
[/QUOTE]
This is a Viking thread - even the Wizards learn to use a weapon!
The Wose is huge fun to play.
It’s true he prefers healing to killing, but just wait till he catches up to tree-vandalising orcs.
Even at 3rd level, I’ve got 13 spells to cast per day - it really helps to have experience knowing which to choose and which to cast.
I’d rather not play a fighter as I’m playing one in the other game, though it’s funny – generally I get relegated to cleric-ish positions because nobody else wants to play healerbutt. A skald for preference or a thief for slightly lesser preference, then, if we already have a rune-priest and a wizard. I do in fact have a skald concept in mind, so I’d prefer to go for that!
:eek: