sunshadow21

That doesn't work for me; I have tried. Most high level concepts don't actually achieve viability until levels 6 or 7. And most concepts that work well in early game fall flat about that same time. This doesn't bug some people, but it has come to irritate me.

Agitha has things like hex that will grow with time. Rangers don't have anything like that; they get weapons, and small weapon damage is an issue that never really goes away. Alchemical items work at lower levels, but even at this level, they start to lose their effectiveness because their damage is static or their DCs are low; they are a temporary fix at best for a problem inherent in the build. They eventually get a few spells, but getting enough spells for them to be really impactful comes later, just as more feats does. I am looking at a character that doesn't even really fully function until level 6 or 7, and that is basic functionality. In order to make the concept really work at even mid levels, I would have to change the base class and focus on a single thing, and that is a complete rework of the chararcter.

I am needing to go back to the drawing board and figure out a 2nd character that is both viable and interesting. So far out of all the characters I have made and tried, only Thuvian has managed to be both. All the interesting characters fall flat on their face mechanically sooner rather than later, and with the mechanically viable ones I have not been able to really develop truly interesting and sustainable personalities. I don't really know what to do at this point. For all that PF has a lot of options, most of them just are not that good or sustainable in this kind of playing environment.

I am going to have to pull out of the game and ask that you treat Ashril like an NPC; I have tried to get back into the game as things have settled down and I just can't. Ashril is not working functionally as a character, and I don't know how to fix it. The small weapon damage means that any DR makes him unreliable on the damage front, and the number of feats to really be competent (not even really good, just competent) in either mounted combat or archery, let alone both, is just too much. At some point, I may revisit him and get him at least functional, but everything I've seen that does that requires significant changes to the character and character concept, something I have neither time nor energy to deal with right now.

Ashril Swiftstride, halfling ranger Ashril moves up and takes advantage of his smaller size to squeeze past Belyr and attack the plant creature. Bill will move up behind Belyr and try to distract it while also keeping it pinned so that the softer folks behind him are not bothered directly. Actions Ashril moves to W-35, shoots his bow; creature will probably get an aoo Bill moves to V-37,8, aids another to improve Belyr's AC Ministats AC: 20 (Touch 13, Flatfooted 15) (Size +1, Dex +3, Armor +5, Shield +1) HP: 37/37 Initiative: +5 Perception : +11 Sense Motive: +2 CMB: +2 CMD: 15 Fort: +7 Reflex: +8 Will: +4 *+2 vs fear Current Weapon in Hand: Bow Current Conditions in Place: Spells (CL 1) 1st level (1/day): Longstrider Potions: Cat's Grace (2), Cure Light Wounds (2) AC: 15 (Touch 13, Flatfooted 12) (Dex +3, Nat Armor +2) HP: 22/22 Perception : +7 CMB: +4 CMD: 17 *+4 vs trip Fort: +7 Reflex: +6 Will: +2 Current Weapon in Hand: Hooves (x2) (+4, 1d3+3) Qualities: Low-light Vision, Scent, Endurance, Run Tricks: Combat Training (Attack, Come, Defend, Down, Guard, Heel), Aid Animal Companion Buffs: Link, Share Spell Current Conditions in Place:

Sorry about the lack of posting. The last couple weeks I had to start at two new jobs at the same time and get to work every day until at least Memorial Day, if not longer into the summer, in order to recover from being laid off. Things should be improving as I am starting to get settled into to at least the full time job, but feel free to run Ashril as needed to keep the game moving. It will be mid early to mid April before I get settled into something resembling a regular, mostly permanent schedule, and I can not guarantee I will see and/or react to updates in a timely fashion.

Ashril Swiftstride, halfling ranger Ashril notches an arrow as he ponders what crazy thing the party gets to deal with this time. Actions Ministats AC: 20 (Touch 13, Flatfooted 15) (Size +1, Dex +3, Armor +5, Shield +1) HP: 37/37 Initiative: +5 Perception : +11 Sense Motive: +2 CMB: +2 CMD: 15 Fort: +7 Reflex: +8 Will: +4 *+2 vs fear Current Weapon in Hand: Bow Current Conditions in Place: Spells (CL 1) 1st level (1/day): Longstrider Potions: Cat's Grace (2), Cure Light Wounds (2) AC: 15 (Touch 13, Flatfooted 12) (Dex +3, Nat Armor +2) HP: 22/22 Perception : +7 CMB: +4 CMD: 17 *+4 vs trip Fort: +7 Reflex: +6 Will: +2 Current Weapon in Hand: Hooves (x2) (+4, 1d3+3) Qualities: Low-light Vision, Scent, Endurance, Run Tricks: Combat Training (Attack, Come, Defend, Down, Guard, Heel), Aid Animal Companion Buffs: Link, Share Spell Current Conditions in Place:

Ashril Swiftstride, halfling ranger Ashril notes that whoever created the scene had a good eye for nature, at least when they weren't creating living plant monstrosities. Dismounting Bill, he starts moving towards what he presumes is a door to the boathouse, watching the area closely and being as quiet as possible. Actions Ministats AC: 20 (Touch 13, Flatfooted 15) (Size +1, Dex +3, Armor +5, Shield +1) HP: 37/37 Initiative: +5 Perception : +11 Sense Motive: +2 CMB: +2 CMD: 15 Fort: +7 Reflex: +8 Will: +4 *+2 vs fear Current Weapon in Hand: Bow Current Conditions in Place: Spells (CL 1) 1st level (1/day): Longstrider Potions: Cat's Grace (2), Cure Light Wounds (2) AC: 15 (Touch 13, Flatfooted 12) (Dex +3, Nat Armor +2) HP: 22/22 Perception : +7 CMB: +4 CMD: 17 *+4 vs trip Fort: +7 Reflex: +6 Will: +2 Current Weapon in Hand: Hooves (x2) (+4, 1d3+3) Qualities: Low-light Vision, Scent, Endurance, Run Tricks: Combat Training (Attack, Come, Defend, Down, Guard, Heel), Aid Animal Companion Buffs: Link, Share Spell Current Conditions in Place:

It may be a while be I join or run any more games. Last week I simultaneously got a new job and got laid off from my old one within two days of each other. While long term, my sanity will probably return with the new job, the first month or so of training is going to be very mentally draining. Once I get past the initial training and into a consistent sleep schedule again (training will be on 1st shift, I will be going to 3rd once that is more or less done), hopefully I will be available again.

Ashril can spare a potion.

Ashril Swiftstride, halfling ranger Taking a moment to catch his breath after barely dodging shattered glass, Ashril pulls a potion out of his pack and hands it to the cleric. "I have a spare potion you can have." Actions give potion of CLW to cleric Ministats AC: 20 (Touch 13, Flatfooted 15) (Size +1, Dex +3, Armor +5, Shield +1) HP: 37/37 Initiative: +5 Perception : +11 Sense Motive: +2 CMB: +2 CMD: 15 Fort: +7 Reflex: +8 Will: +4 *+2 vs fear Current Weapon in Hand: Spear (+5/1d6+1) Current Conditions in Place: Spells (CL 1) 1st level (1/day): Longstrider Potions: Cat's Grace (2), Cure Light Wounds (1) AC: 15 (Touch 13, Flatfooted 12) (Dex +3, Nat Armor +2) HP: 22/22 Perception : +7 CMB: +4 CMD: 17 *+4 vs trip Fort: +7 Reflex: +6 Will: +2 Current Weapon in Hand: Hooves (x2) (+4, 1d3+3) Qualities: Low-light Vision, Scent, Endurance, Run Tricks: Combat Training (Attack, Come, Defend, Down, Guard, Heel), Aid Animal Companion Buffs: Link, Share Spell Current Conditions in Place:

Ashril Swiftstride, halfling ranger Ashril attacks the creature with his spear as he closes in on the backside of the melee. Actions move to L9,attack with spear Ministats AC: 20 (Touch 13, Flatfooted 15) (Size +1, Dex +3, Armor +5, Shield +1) HP: 37/37 Initiative: +5 Perception : +11 Sense Motive: +2 CMB: +2 CMD: 15 Fort: +7 Reflex: +8 Will: +4 *+2 vs fear Current Weapon in Hand: Spear (+5/1d6+1) Current Conditions in Place: Spells (CL 1) 1st level (1/day): Longstrider Potions: Cat's Grace (2), Cure Light Wounds (2) AC: 15 (Touch 13, Flatfooted 12) (Dex +3, Nat Armor +2) HP: 22/22 Perception : +7 CMB: +4 CMD: 17 *+4 vs trip Fort: +7 Reflex: +6 Will: +2 Current Weapon in Hand: Hooves (x2) (+4, 1d3+3) Qualities: Low-light Vision, Scent, Endurance, Run Tricks: Combat Training (Attack, Come, Defend, Down, Guard, Heel), Aid Animal Companion Buffs: Link, Share Spell Current Conditions in Place:

Ashril Swiftstride, halfling ranger With melee combat initiated, Ashril moves to get behind the creature. Actions Double move to G9 Ministats AC: 20 (Touch 13, Flatfooted 15) (Size +1, Dex +3, Armor +5, Shield +1) HP: 37/37 Initiative: +5 Perception : +11 Sense Motive: +2 CMB: +2 CMD: 15 Fort: +7 Reflex: +8 Will: +4 *+2 vs fear Current Weapon in Hand: Spear (+5/1d6+1) Current Conditions in Place: Spells (CL 1) 1st level (1/day): Longstrider Potions: Cat's Grace (2), Cure Light Wounds (2) AC: 15 (Touch 13, Flatfooted 12) (Dex +3, Nat Armor +2) HP: 22/22 Perception : +7 CMB: +4 CMD: 17 *+4 vs trip Fort: +7 Reflex: +6 Will: +2 Current Weapon in Hand: Hooves (x2) (+4, 1d3+3) Qualities: Low-light Vision, Scent, Endurance, Run Tricks: Combat Training (Attack, Come, Defend, Down, Guard, Heel), Aid Animal Companion Buffs: Link, Share Spell Current Conditions in Place:

Ashril Swiftstride, halfling ranger Ashril seems remarkably unshaken by the flying pumpkin. Given everything else the party has encountered thus far, at least this thing can be poked. Actions Move to J13; ready action to attack with spear if provoked. Ministats AC: 20 (Touch 13, Flatfooted 15) (Size +1, Dex +3, Armor +5, Shield +1) HP: 37/37 Initiative: +5 Perception : +11 Sense Motive: +2 CMB: +2 CMD: 15 Fort: +7 Reflex: +8 Will: +4 *+2 vs fear Current Weapon in Hand: Spear (+5/1d6+1) Current Conditions in Place: Spells (CL 1) 1st level (1/day): Longstrider Potions: Cat's Grace (2), Cure Light Wounds (2) AC: 15 (Touch 13, Flatfooted 12) (Dex +3, Nat Armor +2) HP: 22/22 Perception : +7 CMB: +4 CMD: 17 *+4 vs trip Fort: +7 Reflex: +6 Will: +2 Current Weapon in Hand: Hooves (x2) (+4, 1d3+3) Qualities: Low-light Vision, Scent, Endurance, Run Tricks: Combat Training (Attack, Come, Defend, Down, Guard, Heel), Aid Animal Companion Buffs: Link, Share Spell Current Conditions in Place:

I am going to have to withdraw Thuvian from consideration. I have had phone calls this week that made it very clear a family situation is developing faster than anticipated that will eat a lot of my mental bandwidth; having parents grow old is not fun.