Hi all, thanks for having me :)

Welcome!

My sheet is almost done. I just need to fill in a few details.

I'm working through the sheet. Is it normal to start off encumbered? Just want to check I haven't calculated something incorrectly... :/

It is pretty abnormal, yes. Most starting packages shouldn't burden a character with a decent strength score.

So, the question is, what's that strength? And how much are you carrying?

Fighting the orcish stereotype, I've attempted to build a DEX ranger, so my STR is only 12. This gives
Max capacity:      180 lb (15xSTR)
Encumbrance:       60 lb (5xSTR)
Heavy Encumbrance: 120 lb (10xSTR)
(All from pg. 341)

So my backpack is 47 lb (p259), just adding my armour takes me to 59 lb, so simply by having any weapon I am immediately encumbered.

Or have I messed up somewhere?

Including clothes, kits, ammo and a heavy hunting trap, my total is 95 lb. I would need a STR of 19 to carry this comfortably. :/
This message was last edited by the player at 13:41, Thu 09 Dec 2021.

If I ditch, trap (25 lb), rope (10 lb) and 5 torches (5 lb), I can get to a comfortable 55 lb but I just want to make sure I've got this right, as I've not calculated encumbrance before.

You missed that Encumbrance as you are doing it is a variant rule. I did not see the GM include it anywhere. IN standard D&D rules, your max load is the only number to worry about.

Additionally, worn items don't count against encumbrance

That is, if I am remembering things correctly.

Ah, I see. I figured since it was on the sheet it was something to consider. Muuuch simpler if 180 limit is all there is to worry about.

I was intending to use the Encumbrance rules. That's why I put a spot for it in the character sheets.

Ah, that's cool. I'll do my research then.

In reply to Leader (msg # 24):

Ok, thanks for clarifying. I’ve read a little of it and it seems like the variant rules do tend to force you to unburden some starter gear, so I have done so. I think some encumbrance for journeying is expected but that backpacks are dropped when conflict starts? Anyway I think I have the mechanics on my sheet done, just need to do a little character background stuff. I’m concerned I might have the point buy incorrect as I’ve not done it before, would it be ok for you to check it?

Yup, I just put together weight loads for with and without my backpack. Using the encumbrance rule, gotta track where everything is carried. As itinerant types, encumbrance would be normal as we carry all our life with us.

If anyone wants to have connected back stories, I’m open to ideas, assuming it’s okay with Leader.

In reply to Ukhumarz (msg # 28):

I've made it know I was cool with that as well, but I think I made it known before you joined us. I already worked out stuff with one other.

In reply to Yaxai (msg # 29):

Fair enough! It’s easy for my guy to be an outsider but it’s nice to have a hook into the party :)

Unfortunately it's gonna be a bit difficult for my character to have a connected backstory with anyone else, since he's from the forests of Ellerina, which is notoriously not super open to outsiders. That said, I'd be willing to work with anyone else who has potential ideas.

Likewise with Balthasar; he's only recently arrived in the Free City.

It's not necessary for your characters to know each other when we begin.

I should have time to get the first game thread posted later today/tonight.

Sorry, rote accepting of quests from people with question marks over their heads doesn't suit me! Haha. Yaxai wants to go, but her instinct would be to negotiate and to dislike anyone who undercuts her position, however naive they might be in that act.

Fair, I’m going for the ‘any excuse to get back into the wilds’ excuse behind Ukhumarz’ reasoning, but if you can negotiate a better deal I’m not gonna complain!

I hope everyone had a good weekend and is having a good new year so far.

If you have any other questions for Leylen, please ask them. Otherwise, you can summarize what you're going to do overnight, and then we'll be ready to move on to the next day.

I’m not sure to what depth of detail we’re going for, but I’d do a weather check before departing. Time of year / local weather patterns to know whether we might need wet weather gear / snow gear etc.

Yaxai will read the octract thoroughly. Any interesting points?

I've been quite busy this week. I'll move things along this weekend.