Meeting at Henry's May 2012
Details
Meeting at Henry's in Aylesbury. May 18-21? Sarah has arranged to go wedding dress shopping that weekend, so we have the run of the house. She'll be around to meet people on Friday evening, or Sunday evening - not sure which.
Travel
Train: Aylesbury Station is about 1hr from London. Bus: X5 from Cambridge to Milton Keynes; I can't remember which bus from MK gets you to Aylesbury. Flights: Heathrow Airport is about 1hr away by car; I'm quite happy to pick people up (and the car's got room for everyone) but it would be good to co-ordinate.
- A ride from the airport would very much be appreciated, since it would take me quite some time to get there by public transport (taking bus 61 from Luton seems to be quickest). Hannele
Flights booked
- Arrive 12:05, depart 15:30 (Heathrow) . Bert
- Arrive 10:45, depart 17:10 (Heathrow) . Hannele
- It's going to take me around 3 1/2 hours to drive, I'm planning to be there for about 3.30. Craig
Shopping
I suggest the usual arrangements! Usually the shopping bill is split between all of us. Let me know if you're unhappy with this.
Can you let me know of anything that you would like by adding it to the shopping_list please.
Planned Activities
Henry's Game
I'm quite keen to DM a bit - it's likely to be Pathfinder unless anyone objects. Rules at http://www.d20pfsrd.com/; details closer to the time (including what level etc.) There's some good walking around here, in excellent countryside. There's also the possibility of a brewery tour: if people are interested, I can do the research. TV/film chillout - I need to make you all watch The Gamers: Dorkness Rising because it's an excellent film.
Characters:
- Craig, Human Paladin
- Hannele, Witch
- Bert, Human multi class Rogue/Magus
- David, Cleric
Pathfinder PvP Battle Game
A level 13 deathmatch (25 point-buy characters) in an arena with a Random event generator.
Average HP (d6: 6 + 42 = 48 + Con bonus; d8: 8 + 56 = 64 + Con bonus; d10: 10 + 70 = 80 + Con bonus; d12: 12 + 84 = 96 + Con bonus)
The arena will be 26 x 28 squares
It will have 3d features such as scalable buildings, elevated platforms and gantries and 1m high walls. There will be both regular and difficult terrain in the form of areas with stone, sand, grass etc. as well as trees and more dense shrubbery.
Some rules
- Characters should be based on the rules in the PHB and APG unless you have a specific reason to use something from outside those books (other players have discretion to veto, so best avoided)
- Characters will not be able to buff for 30 minutes before the start (effects lasting longer than this can be pre-applied)
- Characters will enter the arena in initiative order by being (safely) teleported to a random location in the arena.
- Each character will have 1d3 rounds of prep time (a buff buffer) before the teleport.
- Flying is acceptable (not quite sure how we do that with minis) but there is a ceiling height of 50 feet. Characters who go higher than 50 feet, for any reason, will be deemed to have exited the contest and be disqualified.
- Other creatures:
- Companions, summons etc. enter at the same time and in the same location, but can have a different place in initiative order (if higher, they can act before the PC, but return to normal initiative order in round 2).
- Given that undead creation/summoning lasts forever, I can't see any reason for a necromancer/evil cleric not to turn up with his own 'entourage' (though you'd better have command of them!). The same goes for a planar ally, though many outsiders may consider this a frivolous task. All costs associated with having these allies must be paid appropriately. (I'm not adding this for myself BTW, can anyone see a problem with this? -- Craig)
- You can if you wish take a mount inside with you, but bear in mind the arena is a dangerous place.
Umm??
The plan was for two teams each with 6 characters (two per player). With only 5 gamers, this is no longer a valid option. Other options (add any you think of):
- One team of 3 players where each player has 2 characters, and one team of 2 players where they have 3 (this may be getting difficult for the 3 char people, though still doable)
- Two teams, but one player has a character in each team (a bit weird for the person who is split)
- Five teams of two characters each
- Each player has a guy in each team (!)
My preference is for option 1 (I'm happy to play 3 guys) or 3, though 4 is a little intriguing. -- Craig
Craig's Tips
- Regardless of how the teams end up, it's helpful for each team to end up with someone who is good at creating the following - Magic Arms and Armour, Wondrous items & Potions. Slightly less helpful are rod, wand and other creation feats. Obviously this is to cut the cost of buying the items.
- It's (relatively) cheap to apply a permanent 1st level spell effect to an item. The cost is 1000GP if the effect lasts more than a day per level, 2000 GP for an effect that lasts 1 hour per level, 3000 GP for 1 minute/level, 4000 GP for 10 minute/level, 8000 for 1 round/level.
- Those who played the last deathmatch will remember, the team I DMed won based pretty much on the fact that they had bought potions.
- Look at the buff times above.
- Take advantage of the time allowances.
- Buy potions and prepare spells that last hours, and use them early.
- Buy potions and prepare spells that lasts minutes and use them in the 1d3 rounds of buff buffer.
- Buy (or scribe) scrolls for a team spellcaster to use. This allows them to buff another character while saving their spell slots. Scrolls also use full caster level for durations etc.
Accommodation
We have plenty of space, sleeping bags, pillows and duvets, though only 3 mattresses and one airbed. If you're allergic to cats, you can book a place in the spare room which is cat-free.
- I'll be driving and can bring an airbed and bedding for myself, so that should help. Craig
