House of Ainsley: Out-of-Character Discussion

Ainsley I have some more answers for your above character questions......


2)What language
Sylvan

3) what fav. enemy
elves then dwarves
Although do I have to be more specific...like drow, ect.?

Jazman wrote:

Ainsley......

The pog thingie looks good.

Thanky.

Jazman wrote:

Ainsley I have some more answers for your above character questions......


2)What language
Sylvan

Roger roger. Thank ya.

Jazman wrote:

3) what fav. enemy
elves then dwarves
Although do I have to be more specific...like drow, ect.?

Nope! Elves include all breeds of elves (high, gray, wood, wild, drow...), just like Dwarves include hill dwarves, mountain dwarves, duergar, derro and more. And Dragons would include white dragons, red dragons, brass dragons and more. And Oozes includes ochre jellies, green slimes, gelatinous cubes....

You get the idea. Despite a few minor cultural differences among the quarry, if you can hunt and kill a mountain dwarf, then you can hunt and kill a hill dwarf. Or a duergar. I take it that Keitha took the Legolas-and-Gimli-like ribbing between dwarves and elves to an extreme?

Wraith wrote:

ME WANT GAMETABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll keep a lookout for you all.

Finally, a plethora of fine wild critters for Keitha's animal companion selection!

The animal companion is an animal which the ranger has raised since its infancy, and hence is difficult to replace. But in that animal the ranger finds a loyal servant who shares a special bond with her, and with whom the ranger can communicate more easily than she can with any other animal. (But still, a few ranks in the Animal Empathy skill couldn't hurt, especially if Keitha has any aspiration of drowning entire villages beneath a tide of ravenous beasts.... )

Keep in mind that a creature's size has a bearing on its effective Armor Class, as well as certain conditional outcomes of actions such as hiding, sneaking or fitting through narrow passages or apertures. Larger creatures tend to be physically formidalble yet easier to hit and easier to detect; the inverse is true of smaller creatures.

Also to be considered when choosing an animal companion and its role to Keitha is the animal's innocuity; people are more likely to react with fear or hostility to a menacing animal than they are to react negatively to a harmless one. Peasants might react to the sight of a wolf or a marsh viper roaming through their village by reaching for their pitchforks, while a toad, a crow or a small dog will probably be shooed away harmlessly or otherwise ignored.

Certain animals may even be welcomed or receive positive reactions under certain conditions; creatures like ravens, owls and monkeys may be seen as good omens in certain superstitious cultures, for example. However, superstition can be a two-edged sword; housecats were lauded and protected as messengers from the gods in ancient Egypt but were hunted and killed as servants of the Devil in numerous medieval European cultures.

(Note that I've omitted a number of animals listed in the Monster Manual who wouldn't qualify, either because they have too many Hit Dice to be animal companions (ie. brown bears and horses), they're native to remote or exotic locations (ie. cheetahs) or they're incapable of surviving on land (ie. squids).)


Badger
Size: Tiny
Hit Dice: 1d8 +2 (10 HP)
Speed: 30', burrowing 10'
AC: 15 (+2 size, +3 Dex)
Attacks: 2 claws (1d2-1 Damage), 1 bite (1d3-1 Dam)
Abilities: Str , Dex , Con , Int , Wis , Cha
Skills: Escape Artist +7, Listen +4, Spot +4
Special: Weapon Finesse Feats (claw and bite), Rage (similar to Barbarian Rage; +4 Str, +4 Con and -2 AC when wounded), Scent (keen sense of smell can substitute for vision when making Spot checks)

Bat
Size: Diminutive
Hit Dice: 1/4 d8 (2 HP)
Speed: 5', 40' flying (Good maneuverability)
AC: 16 (+4 size, +2 Dex)
Attacks: --
Abilities: Str 1, Dex 15, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 4
Skills: Listen +9, Move Silently +6, Spot +9
Special: Blindsight (the ability to see even in perfect darkness); +4 bonus to Spot and Listen checks if Blindsight is active. A bat's Blindsight is, of course, echolocation, and hence can be negated by effects such as a Silence spell.

Black Bear, Young
Size: Medium
Hit Dice: 2d8 +4 (18 HP)
Speed: 40'
AC: 13 (+1 Dex, +2 natural)
Attacks: 2 claws (1d4+2 Dam), bite (1d6+1)
Abilities: Str 17, Dex 13, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Skills: Climb +6, Listen +4, Spot +7, Swim +8
Special: Scent

Boar, Young
Size: Medium
Hit Dice: 2d8+7 (21 HP)
Speed: 40'
AC: 16 (+6 natural)
Attacks: Gore (1d8+2 Dam)
Abilities: Str 14, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 4
Skills: Listen +7, Spot +5
Special: Scent, Ferocity (can continue to fight without penalty even while disabled or dying)

Cat (common housecat)
Size: Tiny
Hit Dice: 1/2 d8 (4 HP)
Speed: 30'
AC: 14 (+2 size, +2 Dex)
Attacks: 2 claws (1d2-4), bite (1d3-4)
Abilities: Str 3, Dex 15, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 7
Skills: Balance +10, Climb +5, Hide +7 (+8 in tall grass or similar), Listen +4, Move Silently +9, Spot +4
Special: Weapon Finesse (claw and bite), +4 racial bonus to all Hide and Move Silently checks, +8 racial bonus to all Balance checks

Crocodile, Young
Size: Medium
Hit Dice: 2d8+8 (22 HP)
Speed: 20', swimming 30'
AC: 15 (+1 Dex, +4 natural)
Attacks: Bite (1d8+4 Dam) or tail slap (1d12+4 Dam)
Abilities: Str 17, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 2
Skills: Hide +7, Listen +5, Spot +5
Special: Improved Grab (if it hits a Medium-sized or smaller creature with its bite, it may drag the creature into deeper water; in addition to drowning (if applicable), the prey takes automatic bite damage each round until it either dies or breaks the hold), +12 racial bonus to Hide checks while submerged

Dog
(includes small dogs, terriers and similarly sized canines, such as coyotes)
Size: Small
Hit Dice: 1d8 +2 (10 HP)
Speed: 40'
AC: 15 (+1 size, +3 Dex, +1 natural)
Attacks: Bite (1d4+1 Dam)
Abilities: Str 13, Dex 17, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Skills: Listen +5, Spot +5, Swim +5, Wilderness Lore +1
Special: Scent

Dog, Riding
(includes larger working dogs, such as St. Bernards, Collies and Rottweilers; so named because humanoids like halflings often train such dogs for use as mounts)
Size: Medium
Hit Dice: 2d8+4 (18 HP)
Speed: 40'
AC: 16 (+2 Dex, +4 natural)
Attacks: Bite (1d6+3 Dam)
Abilities: Str 15, Dex 15, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Skills: Listen +5, Spot +5, Swim +5, Wilderness Lore +1
Special: Scent

Donkey
Size: Medium
Hit Dice: 2d8+2 (16 HP)
Speed: 30'
AC: 13 (+1 Dex, +2 natural)
Attacks: Bite (1d2 Dam) or hoof (1d4 Dam)
Abilities: Str 10, Dex 13, Con 12, Int 1, Wis 11, Cha 4
Skills: Balance +3, Listen +5, Spot +5
Special: Scent

Eagle
Size: Small
Hit Dice: 1d8+1 (9 HP)
Speed: 10', flying 80' (Average)
AC: 14 (+1 size, +2 Dex, +1 natural)
Attacks: 2 claws (1d3 Dam), bite (1d4 Dam)
Abilities: Str 10, Dex 15, Con 12, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 6
Skills: Listen +6, Spot +6
Special: +8 racial bonus to Spot checks in daylight

Hawk
Size: Tiny
Hit Dice: 1d8 (8 HP)
Speed: 10', flying 60' (Average)
AC: 17 (+2 size, +3 Dex, +2 natural)
Attacks: Claws (1d4-2)
Abilities: Str 6, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 6
Skills: Listen +6, Spot +6
Special: Weapon Finesse (claws), +8 racial bonus to Spot checks in daylight

Lizard
(describes small, nonvenomous lizards of perhaps 1-2 feet in length, such as an iguana)
Size: Tiny
Hit Dice: 1/2 d8 (4 HP)
Speed: 20', climbing 20'
AC: 14 (+2 size, +2 Dex)
Attacks: Bite (1d4)
Abilities: Str 3, Dex 15, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 2
Skills: Balance +10, Climb +12, Hide +13, Listen +4, Spot +4
Special: Weapon Finesse (bite)

Monkey
Size: Tiny
Hit Dice: 1d8 (8 HP)
Speed: 30', climbing 30'
AC: 14 (+2 size, +2 Dex)
Attacks: Bite (1d3-4 Dam)
Abilities: Str 3, Dex 15, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 5
Skills: Balance +10, Climb +13, Hide +13, Listen +4, Spot +4
Special: Weapon Finesse (bite), Dex modifier used for Climb checks, +8 racial modifier for Balance checks

Owl
Size: Tiny
Hit Dice: 1d8 (8 HP)
Speed: 10', flying 40' (Average)
AC: 17 (+2 size, +3 Dex, +2 natural)
Attacks: Claws (1d2-2 Dam)
Abilities: Str 6, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 4
Skills: Listen +14, Move Silently +20, Spot +6
Special: Weapon Finesse (claws), Lowlight Vision, +8 racial bonus to Listen checks, +14 racial bonus to Move Silently while flying, +8 racial bonus to Spot checks in dusk and darkness

Pony
Size: Medium
Hit Dice: 2d8+2 (16 HP)
Speed: 40'
AC: 13 (+1 Dex, +2 natural)
Attacks: 2 hooves (1d3+1 Dam)
Abilities: Str 13, Dex 13, Con 12, Int 2, Wis 11, Cha 4
Skills: Listen +5, Spot +5
Special: Scent

Rat
Size: Tiny
Hit Dice: 1/4 d8 (2 HP)
Speed: 15', climbing 15'
AC: 14 (size +2, Dex +2)
Attacks: Bite (1d3-4)
Abilities: Str 2, Dex 15, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 2
Skills: Balance +10, Climb +12, Hide +18, Move Silently +10
Special: Scent, Weapon Finesse (bite), +4 racial bonus to Hide and Move Silently checks, +8 racial bonus to Balance checks, Dex modifier used for Climb checks

Raven
(applies to similar nonpredatory birds, such as crows)
Size: Tiny
Hit Dice: 1/4 d8 (2 HP)
Speed: 10', flying 40' (Average)
AC: 14 (+2 size, +2 Dex)
Attacks: Claws (1d2-5 Dam)
Abilities: Str 1, Dex 15, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 6
Skills: Listen +6, Spot +6
Special: Weapon Finesse (claws)

Snake, Young Constrictor
Size: Medium
Hit Dice: 2d8+3 (17 HP)
Speed: 20', climbing 20', swimming 20'
AC: 15 (+3 Dex, +2 natural)
Attacks: Bite (1d3+4)
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 2
Skills: Balance +11, Climb +14, Hide +11, Listen +9, Spot +9
Special: Scent, Improved Grab (may Constrict if its bite attack hits), Constrict (the round following a successful bite, may continuously deal 1d3+3 damage to a Medium or smaller creature until either the hold is broken or the creature dies)

Snake, Tiny Viper
Size: Tiny
Hit Dice: 1/4 d8 (2 HP)
Speed: 15', climb 15', swim 15'
AC: 17 (+2 size, +3 Dex, +2 natural)
Attacks: Bite (no Damage)
Abilities: Str 6, Dex 17, Con 11, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 2
Skills: Balance +11, Climb +12, Hide +18, Listen +8, Spot +8
Special: Scent, Weapon Finesse (bite), Poison (on successful bite, victim must pass Fortitude save at DC 11 or be poisoned (1d6 Constitution damage initial, 1d6 Con damage secondary))

Snake, Small Viper
Size: Small
Hit Dice: 1d8 (8 HP)
Speed: 20', climb 20', swim 20'
AC: 17 (+1 size, +3 Dex, +3 natural)
Attacks: Bite (1d2-2 Dam)
Abilities: Str 6, Dex 17, Con 11, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 2
Skills: Balance +11, Climb +12, Hide +15, Listen +9, Spot +9
Special: Scent, Weapon Finesse (bite), Poison (on successful bite, victim must pass Fortitude save at DC 11 or be poisoned (1d6 Constitution damage initial, 1d6 Con damage secondary))

Snake, Medium Viper
Size: Medium
Hit Dice: 2d8 (14 HP)
Speed: 20', 20' climb, 20' swim
AC: 16 (+3 Dex, +3 natural)
Attacks: Bite (1d4-1 Dam)
Abilities: Str 8, Dex 17, Con 11, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 2
Skills: Balance +11, Climb +11, Hide +12, Listen +9, Spot +9
Special: Scent, Weapon Finesse (bite), Poison (on successful bite, victim must pass Fortitude save at DC 11 or be poisoned (1d6 Constitution damage initial, 1d6 Con damage secondary))

Toad
Size: Diminutive
Hit Dice: 1/4 d8 (2 HP)
Speed: 5'
AC: 15 (+4 size, +1 Dex)
Attacks: --
Abilities: Str 1, Dex 12, Con 11, Int 1, Wis 14, Cha 4
Skills: Hide +21, Listen +5, Spot +5
Special: +4 racial bonus to Hide checks due to skin coloration

Weasel
Size: Tiny
Hit Dice: 1/2 d8 (4 HP)
Speed: 20', climb 20'
AC: 14 (+2 size, +2 Dex)
Attacks: Bite (1d3-4 Dam)
Abilities: Str 3, Dex 15, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 5
Skills: Balance +10, Climb +11, Hide +13, Move Silently +9, Spot +4
Special: Weapon Finesse (bite), Scent, Attach (if its bite hits, the weasel's jaws latch on and do continuous damage; an attached weasel has AC 12), +4 racial bonus to Move Silently, +8 racial bonus to Balance, Dex modifier used for Climb checks

Wolf
Size: Medium
Hit Dice: 2d8+4 (18 HP)
Speed: 50'
AC: 14 (+2 Dex, +2 natural)
Attacks: Bite (1d6+1 Dam)
Abilities: Str 13, Dex 15, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Skills: Hide +3, Listen +6, Move Silently +4, Spot +4, Wilderness Lore +1
Special: Scent, Trip (a wolf that hits with a bite may attempt to trip the victim as a free action automatically and without provoking an Attack of Opportunity; if the attempt fails, the victim cannot react to trip the wolf), +4 racial bonus to Wilderness Lore when tracking by scent

Wolverine, Young
Size: Medium
Hit Dice: 2d8+8 (22 HP)
Speed: 30', climb 10', burrow 10'
AC: 14 (+2 Dex, +2 natural)
Attacks: 2 claws (1d4+1), 1 bite (1d6+1)
Abilities: Str 13, Dex 14, Con 19, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 10
Skills: Climb 15, Listen +6, Spot +6
Special: Scent, Rage (similar to a badger's Rage, but worse; a wounded wolverine cannot end its berserk fury voluntarily)


Speak with me if you wish to have any animal not listed above (a rabbit, for example) or if you wish to modify one of the animal templates above (ie. a medium viper who happens to be a king cobra would sacrifice some of its Hide in exchange for Intimidate and a minor increase in Charisma, which is the whole purpose of the cobra's hissing and hood-flaring when threatened or hostile; a rattlesnake would do a similar exchange with Move Silently and Intimidate).

Kewl, I'll come on about the same time I used to tomorrow morning and see if we can get something started.

I'm gifted? Hmmmm.... never been called that before

I'll be watching these forums for you folks too...as long as I'm not sleeping or at work.

hey I'm on. Sorry I'm late but I had to go to the shops for something important.

I'll be around, lurking if nothing else, but I'm rather skeptical that anything will actually happen

*cries*

Heeeere, SEAMUS SEAMUS SEAMUS....

Ah, heck...I have to go to work in a few. Sorries.

Sucky.....

Verilly... but, such as it is I suppose.

Well, most of us are here. Anything we could do?

You know what? Screw the big map. Sylvea can go off Ariean's verbal recon just fine. Let me get on that.

LOL! I'm sure she'll survive without the pretty pictures

...or WILL she?

YaY! posties and stuff!

LOL!

Hey, chat's up the top. Stop making me feel lonely and join!

...and a lovely chat it was, eh?

LOL! Yeah it was

On a different note, I was chatting with SEAMUS in the Chatbox today, and I decided to make some long-awaited time of day designators for The Party topic.

Rejected ideas:

• A sundial face. (Reason: Sundials are no good at telling time at night.)

• A clock face or clocktower's face, well-lit in daytime and dark but lit from within at night. (Reason: D&D's quasi-medieval setting specifically makes its case that accurate time-telling devices (such as the water clock) are incredibly rare and expensive, if they can be found at all...and their worth is dubious anyway; what good is it to know that it's 4:15 PM if nobody else does? So the time should be kept at least somewhat vague; even rangers and druids reading shadows on the ground are more likely to come up with "about an hour before noon" than "10:55 AM".)

So I took a cue from beloved old strategy game Dark Legions and went with a depiction of the sky. A few examples of the final product:







I kept the number of night pics equal to the number of day pics (seven each). It was also a bit thought-provoking to once again realize that we humans, as typically diurnal creatures, have so many different names for the periods of daytime but only a few names for the periods of the nighttime; between sunset and sunrise we have night, midnight, late night and possibly "early morning". That's it. No "aftermidnight" or "evening of night" and such. So I had to come up with a few extra nifty-sounding designations for the various points of nighttime. I was torn between using Bell Before Midnight and Bell After Midnight instead of Ante Mesonoxian and Post Mesonoxian for the hours flanking Midnight; I hope I chose wisely.

(On a similar note, have you ever noticed that people use the various times of day as both greetings and partings--"Good morning", "Good afternoon", "Good evening"--but "Good night" is always considered a parting? Having worked plenty of Third Shift hours in my lifetime, I've noticed that. Why is that? )

Anyway, I'm going to add some drifting clouds for the day pics, just like I threw in those revolving constellations for the night pics...which was kind of a pain in the butt to do, by the way. You're welcome.

But I should probably do something with that text so it doesn't obscure the obelisk and its shadow. Any ideas?

take the text out.

But that'll eliminate the verbal reference to help us tell the difference between sunrise and sunset at a glance. Do you have any idea how many vampires will die if I remove the text?

not my fault that they're the stupid brand of evil and don't know which way west is

Well, nyeh! I added an extra ten pixels to the bottom of the image, which gives some room for the text.



Take that, you text-removing vampire killer!