Over the weekend I finally got my very first session of pen and paper RPG adventuring under my belt. As the parties Rogue I joined up with Silas the Alchemist, Ormus the Oracle, Luther the Paladin and the Barbarian Gerg with his trusty wolf companion.
You can see my Rogue, Mithrildir 'Silver' Moonrunner, above. Along with Silas the Alchemist and Ormus the Oracle. Gerg the Barbarian and Luther the Paladin were not painted, so as punishment were excluded from the group shot, ha ha. Seriously, one model guys!
For my Rogues scheme, i wanted something that echoes his name, and was also a step away from the typical black and red cloaked look. So he got frosty whites and greys. I was loosely inspired by Assassins Creed too, specially during scenes of blending in with the crowd.
The setting and story
The GM running this one put us in the world of Greyhawk. Which was totally unfamiliar to me, so it really did feel like a new realm to explore and adventure in. He did a great job of setting the scene with maps and explaining how our various back stories linked together. And I have to say the whole group came up with some pretty interesting ones.
Our adventure began as we approached the village of Hommlet. A place that had seen good times and bad, and was known to hold rewards for adventurers. Again, the GM gave us each an indepth background on the town. I'd post it here, but it's long!
The bandit trap
We began with some combat on the road to Hommlet. Where a ruined wagon had two people yelling for help. Being the Rogue I have some keen senses so was instantly able to see the ambush waiting in the trees either side of the road. Then to be discrete I let my colleagues know in Elvish that something was a miss. Sadly Gerg the barbarian didn't speak Elvish, but hay.
Combat was fun, although my dice rolls did not match my perception rolls and i missed a ton of bow shots as i sat at the back. The terrain was slow for getting into flanking attacks, and when i finally did Luther the Paladin had already messily dispatched my target. So I only chalked up a single bandit kill. Turns out I can spot them very well, but beyond that...
As we routed the bandits, combat turned into a bit of roleplay with a captured bandit sorceress. Here the Oracle did his thing and got valuable info, while I used my local knowledge to determine that something was 'off' with bandits markings.
So we looted and repaired the wagon, and three captured bandits pulled us into town while I sat on the roof and whistled.
Hommlet
At this point I was ready to flex more of my rogue skills and go on a moon lit wander across the roof tops. But (real) time was getting on, so we were introduced to a few key NPCs, sold some gear and rested at the Inn.
Several points of interest were on the towns map that I look forward to exploring in a future session. I was hoping for more roleplay in the town, but we were quickly back exploring a ruined moat house.
Frogs the size of Ponies
Again, I was the first to see a froggie trap as the group approached the moat house. But yet again failed my sneak attack with my bow. That's okay though when you have killing machines like Gerg the Barbarian and Luther the Paldin. So I sat back, but did manage to flank and sneak attack a toad. While Silas the Alchemist came very close to being frog food before being bailed out by the Oracle Ormus.
I got to be of use again as I fired a grapple arrow to help the group across a rickety bridge into the moat house. Before acrobatically jumping across last (show off, ha ha).
Inside my keen perception rolls again detected a nasty spider trap, and the Paladin battled it but was poisoned in the process. As it was vanquished we had to call it a day sadly. Wives were texting, and bellies were grumbling. So the adventure will continue next time.
Thoughts and musings of a Rogue
Overall I had a blast, and look forward to more. Really enjoyed having a co op experience with the guys I usually battle against in Infinity. Lots of laughs, and really fortunate to have a good GM.
We did a lot of combat, and my Rogue build was a jack of all trades, so couldn't contribute heavily. But was avery effective scout and avoided three ambush scenarios. I'm looking forward to more roleplaying later on, where I can use a few more of the Rogues non combat skills, and see where his story goes.
Very enjoyable report to read mate. Glad you are getting into the character and finding it's strengths and weaknesses.
ReplyDeleteIn my main group (I currently play in two off and on.) my char is also a Rogue, though we've been playing this story now for almost two years so he's leveled in that time to 12th!
I will only offer a couple things of advice cos one learns more in the game by doing than by reading.
1. Unless you multi-class (Take another class level, Fighter or Ranger say) Rogues are utter pants in combat. They don't get enough attack bonuses fast enough and typically do naff damage even on a sneak attack. Ranged is the way to go alternately you can scout about seeing if you can't help out in more non-combat ways using your mass of skills.
2. Which brings me to my second point, SKILLS. WE get loads of them! More than any of the other core classes. A Rogue can be amazing in roleplay situations and stay on top of things with max ranks in their social skills. THey can also be great at multiple knowledge or funds earning skills to help drum up extra cash for the party.
For me, running a Rogue opens up way more role-play opportunities and I just LOVE getting into character.
I look forward to reading your next update on this game, o, and your char's mini looks rather spectacular sir. :)
Sage like advice sir! Being very new to this the advice is certainly welcome!
DeleteFunny you should mention combat, because I defaulted to my preferred combat style of sniping at long range and did very little. After the session I looked at the Ranger, but like you love playing a Rogue for all the non combat fun. So my question would be, how do you multi class??
I was looking forward to more role playing, but the first session was combat heavy. So hoping to flex more rogue skills in the next session. Although with such a high perception I kept the group out of several nasty situations and traps.
Sorry it took me so long to check to see if you'd replied!
DeleteMulti-class - pretty much, if and when your character has enough experience points to level, then instead of picking up another level of Rogue and gaining all the following level benefits, you just choose a different class instead and add it's 1st level abilities and skill (And hit) points instead. From the sound of things, your scouting about stopping ambushes would be prime setting for a level or two of Ranger, or if you want to get some oomph in combat, a level of fighter is handy too.
Pretty much just use your character template (What you'd envisaged about him and his background prior to starting the game) as a guide as to where you want his abilities to go.
Good tips man! I had a chat with my party and the GM and I will probably swap out weapon finesse for point blank shot. So I can be on the path to a long range combat style. But all in all I enjoy the Rogues eclectic skill set, and don't really need to be a beast in combat. The Ranger has a few too many skills and such that just aren't my cup of tea. I just want a Rogue that is half decent with a bow, and think I am on the right path with that now. I hope!
DeleteYup - Point Blank Shot then Precise Shot. Without fail. No point being an archer if you can't shoot into combat safely. Here's the official description:
DeletePrerequisite: Point-Blank Shot.
Benefit: You can shoot or throw ranged weapons at an opponent engaged in melee without taking the standard –4 penalty on your attack roll.
Sweet. Will come in very handy for helping the Paladin and Barbarian out.. :)
DeleteI think it can be taken as a rogue trick too.... but dont quote me on that.
DeleteHi. Love the miniatures! May I ask where did you find the white rogue mini? My son is dying for that one!
ReplyDeleteCheers and thanks!
Hello! Thank you. Yes, it is a really cool mini. I picked it up from the talented guys at Red Box Games. here is a handy link:
Deletehttp://red-box-games.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15&products_id=44
Thanks a LOT!!!
DeleteTake care!
That is one good looking Oracle. Ill bet his player is devilishly handsome.
ReplyDeleteI sense a small amount of bias?
DeleteYes, quite a large amount of bias i'm sure ;)
Delete