Character Creation

I will update my sheet accordingly when done.

Opting for +1d4% to any two skills; Dodge, Close Combat

Done and uploaded, waiting for your approval!

Approved. I'd like to see the pic you used for your character's avatar so I can make a counter out of it.

Edit: never mind, I've just noticed you had posted his pic earlier...

theeyetyrant, have you thought about a character concept?

Rations weigh - each. With a week in this setting being ten day, that means 2 weeks = 20 days. With 20 -= 1 ENC. As is explained on page 57 of the Rulebook, under 'Encumbrance'.

@ Dreamblade: I've just noticed you put the +20 bonus on Culture (elf) instead of Language (elf).

One of the humans should invest in Language (elf) or one of the elves invest in Language (mannish), otherwise this group is going to be stuck rolling a lot of dice to communicate with one another... :P

Oh, umbral, I'd like to see how you spent your skill points/background points on your skills. You think you can edit your character sheet to show that?

Also, so far I've noticed both elves are very similar (archers with Deception, Perception, and Nature Lore). Not sure if this will change later with character improvement.

I would like to point out that I stated the following 4 days ago, in this thread's first Players post. 'I would be interested in playing a Elf with a Rangerish Skill set.' Which establishes the seniority of my PC. It looks like the Party still needs a Roguish type of PC. So Umbraldragon, that might be a direction you may want to take your PC in instead.

How high of a score would you expect to avoid having to roll in normal circumstances? 50?
Well, the setting strongly favor stealth and range so that is to be expected. Also having multiple character to train wild animals could allow for a numerical advantage to handle more dangerous fight.

That's a good point Vagrant. We'll see how things develop.

Hmm, true... I guess this free +20% would make it so that people can somewhat communicate...

Oh, I've just checked the rulebook and it specifies that a score of 50% or more represents fluency in the language. 80% or more allows for literacy. So yeah, I think I have my answer there. You don't necessarily need 50% to be able to communicate with one another, but below 50% you're not exactly fluent in the language.

I think that so far the highest level of Language (elvish) among non-elves is 32% for Liroc. Yeah, you could talk to one another, but if you try to discuss complex battle plans, i might require a roll to see if there is some sort of misunderstanding...

I see Malingad as more of a soldier, not a lone wanderer. However, joining an adventuring party seems like something he would do. The setting favors elves, and their affinity for nature. So unless someone is invested in Sorcery, it's mostly what you see right now. If you really feel encroached by my character, I have two things to put to mind.

One, I kind of like my character and don't really want to chang it unless absolutely necessary. In this setting, I'd rather have two combat oriented characters in order to improve survival of the party. TPK...it could happen at no fault of the GM. Could be overwhelming numbers, a lucky crit roll, or bad dice rolls. I would also say I will probably play my character differently. All that is me stating my case to keep my character as is.

Two, I would humbly ask for patience and grace. May we come to an understanding that if appears that there is having two similar characters is not working out after a few sessions, THEN we can talk about why that is, and if necessary, I will concede to altering some skills on my character.

Is that fair? I mean fair for you AND I, before making arbitrary decisions without first testing the waters? Or let the GM establish his own table.

That sounds fair enough. Two ranged characters might be crucial in softening up opposition before they reach the character which WOULD help with the deadly combat of TAoS.

I think we can give it a chance and see how things go.

My PC has Skills of Athletics of 44, Deception Skill of 63, Perception Skill of 63, Ranged Combat Skill of 61 and Nature Lore of 57. How does your PC compare? If they are higher I will gladly change my PC. What is usually customarily done. Or at least it is what I do when coming to a game as late as you did. I ask about what types of PCs other Players that had been making. Before I make one of my own to fill a nitch not yet taken and so as to provide Party balance. Like I said, if you would of read through the 'Character Creation' thread you would of saved yourself from creating the PC you did. Thus it is very poor RPG etiquette to insist on playing a PC to similar to that of another that has been made before yours. I would know as I have likely been playing RPGs longer then you have been alive. As I start playing back in 1976. There are plenty of settlements in this setting that have all three races living in them. That an elf with a Roguish Skill could be from.

I find that party balance work differently in a setting like Age of Shadow compared to Dnd for example. Specialisation doesnt work as well in a deadlier setting where it is common to have some drop or die in combat. Characters benefit more for being self reliant and redundant skillsets are more useful too. Two scout/vanguard have better chances to come back alive or eliminate the sentry.

Also, it is not required to have a city dwelling specialist if we choose a more militaristic or wilderness type of adventuring.

Usually where there is Treasure. There are locks and traps and a Roguish PC can eliminate sentries as well. so TheVagrant I don't see your point.

Okay, okay, I'm going to ask everyone please calm down. I'm sure we can make something work here. So we have a ranger and a soldier with an affinity to nature. If umbraldragon feels he can play his character differently than yours, I say we give him the chance. Who knows, you two might end up taking completely different paths later on with your Improvement Points.

Yes, perhaps due to the lethality of the game, TAoS does encourage some sort of overlapping in skills. This is my first time GMing this particular system after all, aside from how it looks on paper, I have no idea how things will develop in practice. Umbraldragon told me he had experience with the game system when he approached me, so perhaps he knows something we don't. I can only trust in his judgement for the moment being, and since he already expressed a willingness to later change his character should your characters play too similarly, then perhaps we should give him a chance.

I hope everyone is satisfied with this judgement. Now I would greatly appreciate it if this matter were dropped so I can spend more time working on my campaign instead of mediating disputes.

I was hoping things would resolve themselves peacefully, but wulfnor decided to threaten to leave my game in PMs. This is the second time I've dealt with him. I was willing to give him a second chance. I'm done. He's gone. Now I hope we can continue...

I'd like to welcome Qralloq to the group.