Chapter 6: Q&A / Discussion

[Dave W.]

LOL! Nice Darren!

[Darren]

Tangat woofs again, sending empathic communication to Kal: someone is here. Belarin, Kal, and Condign can just barely make out the sound of someone new speaking.

Is Tangat still standing up near Syrdan?

[Jeff]

Yes, close behind Syrdan.

[Darren]

Jeff, I know you said that there is light coming in through shafts in the ceiling, but how light is it in the City of the Dead? Is visibility a problem in any way?

[Jeff]

It's still the middle of the day. So while it's not bright in the City of the Dead at any time, the fairly evenly-spaced shafts of sunlight pierce the gloom and keep it dim, but more or less illuminated. Like those moments just before twilight.

[Brian]

You know, it's really a shame to do nothing while we wait for Mike to return from his trip. I know we're at the start of a major encounter, but I'd like to propose something. As my impulsive nature is wont to do, I started writing up a little Condign piece to post. Using a writing trick called time dilation (I slow down the perceived passage of time, allowing a character to think about a lot of things in a short amount of real game/story time), I was going to give a little background bit similar to when I wrote about his failure with the Ghaash'Kala training exercise. But I was able to check myself before I went ahead and started a rogue post. (See, Jeff, I can learn! ;D)

Here's my proposal: is everyone willing to write up a post using this little trick? Each person could post one a day. Then each day we would have something to look forward to with DE until we get back to kicking some butt. And, I think it would be cool to reminisce some and learn more about each character's background/motivations/what have you. I'd be willing to start, of course.

So, what say you?

[Jeff]

"... before I went ahead and started a rogue post."

Nothing can stop the Brian Matthews rogue post. Not even the Spanish Inquisition, which nobody expects.

I'm totally fine with this. what you want to reveal about your character is up to you. It can be an exercise in player knowledge vs. character knowledge.

But I'd say...good luck getting everyone to participate each day.

[Ken]

I'm all for this! I know that in our "normal" posts, we stay away from too much internal thinking, but this is a good opportunity. Certainly, in the case of Belarin, Kal, Streko, and Condign, our characters have spent several weeks together that aren't accounted for in our standard posts, so these reflections could be things that each of our characters would have expressed during that time. Likewise for Adamant and Syrdan, these would be things that each of our characters would eventually learn.

[Dave W.]

Well, I do have the story I put together to descibe how Adamant came by his pretty sword. I'm not sure I'll have time to get a second one out, though I do know what I'd write if I did chance upon the time. Of course if we started this nothing says we couldn't continue it the next time there's down-time.

I'd certainly love to read your characters' backstories!

How would we do this? Would it make sense to start a new thread for backstories?

[Brian]

I simply planned to post it in the regular thread. Condign is simply having a little flashback, one that takes no more than a few seconds to relive. Unless Jeff would like it placed somewhere else. He's the chief; we're the injuns.

[Jeff]

Nah, that's fine with me, Brian. Right in the main thread.

Well, I do have the story I put together to descibe how Adamant came by his pretty sword.

Personally, I'd rather wait and let the others see what his sword does first, Dave. Then share the story.

[Dave W.]

Mar 15, 2010 18:02:22 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Personally, I'd rather wait and let the others see what his sword does first, Dave. Then share the story.

good point, but when will we run into a jabberwocky?

[Jeff]

Pretty cool post, Brian. And funny, too.

[Brian]

Nicely done, Ken! I think Belarin's ending was much. . .happier than Condign's. ;D

[Ken]

Thanks! I reciprocate the creative love!

[Dave W.]

Mar 18, 2010 14:35:17 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Dave: Adamant needs to be able to see his opponent to challenge it. So that's a no-go for right now. 

It was a longshot anyway...

So here I am dutifully checking in and there's Adamant's smiling (on the inside) face and suddenly he's being attacked by a strange balloon-like creature covered in arcane sigils.

Thanks for your birth/forge-day wishes!!

[Joe]

Brilliant icon!! Happy birthday!!!

[Dave W.]

Mar 18, 2010 21:00:28 GMT -4 Joe said:

Brilliant icon!! Happy birthday!!!

I'm assuming that we have Jeff to thank for the icon...

Thanks for the birthday wishes!

[Jeff]

Yup. I like to mess with avatars on birthdays, assuming (1) I remember and (2) I can spare a few minutes to throw something together. Happy birthday, Dave!

A few past ones:

[Darren]

"As you wish, my Lord," Adamant says allowing the others to pass ahead of him, "though I'm not certain of where our flanks would be against an adversary that has proven to be able to attack from any direction except perhaps from above. I suppose you mean for me to place myself at the end of the column, at least until the creature transforms that into the front of the column."

"In other circumstances I might suggest a different order of march; I too need to close with the enemy to be used efficently but will take longer to close than the faster elf. But in this case it does not matter. The creature will define where the point of contact will be."

Exactly.

[Darren]

Guys, I've been totally out of it for the last couple of weeks, so I'm just now going back over posts and realizing all the details that I wasn't paying any attention to before. I don't really know what direction we want to head in, anymore. Can we have an out of game discussion on this?

I guess our options are:

- Chase after the spirit which, I think, has gone off to the north, which also seems to be the direction these screams are coming from;
- Stay where we are and see if we can open the unmarked tomb, accepting that the spirit might come back and attack again (which it might do even if we pursue it);
- Something else I haven't thought of.

What do you guys think?

[Jeff]

To clarify, Darren: the plaques carved/embossed into the walls designate a mausoleum. The one on the north wall (see the map) represents the north tunnel. The plaque itself isn't a door, at least that's not how most of them are. Presumably, somewhere up there in the north tunnel is the mausoleum the plaque is a label for.

Except that this plaque, unlike all the rest so far, is empty of words.

Does this help?

[Darren]

Very much, thanks.

So I guess that clarifies things. We're going that way, right?

[Brian]

I was only making a suggestion, what Condign would think is best. No need to just blindly follow it. Everyone has good ideas.

[Darren]

And a good suggestion, too. Like I said, I'm only coming out of a haze of the last couple of weeks.

[Ken]

The "mystery plaque" is definitely a curiosity, and I doubt it's a coincidence that the priest was attacked just as he was talking about. To the north!

[Mike]

Mar 23, 2010 9:06:33 GMT -4 Ken said:

The "mystery plaque" is definitely a curiosity, and I doubt it's a coincidence that the priest was attacked just as he was talking about. To the north!

What Ken said. ;D

[Mike]

Mar 23, 2010 11:38:53 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Mike: I'm assuming dim light for the greatsword right now.

Yep. You're correct.

Pretty much assume 'dim light' as the default standard when Syrdan lights up the greatsword, unless I happen to indicate otherwise.

[Jeff]

You got it.

[Dave W.]

Mar 23, 2010 13:39:31 GMT -4 Mike said:

Pretty much assume 'dim light' as the default standard when Syrdan lights up the greatsword, unless I happen to indicate otherwise.

I think Adamant would prefer a more full-bodied expression of his Lady's Grace. Please assume bright when he uses the Delver's Light unless otherwise directed.