Chapter 13: Q&A / Discussions

[Dave B.]

Okay, I am sure of my count. When we finished our short rest, Streko had 2 healing potions, Belarin had 2 and Shorak had 2. No one gave a potion to Kal after all, but we didn't use any of them until the battle ended. As far as I can tell, Belarin used one potion on Melethos and Streko is about to use one on Tangat which leaves us a total of 4. 1 each with Streko and Belarin and 2 with Shorak. Whew! I think that covers the healing potion question. So, if anyone wants more healing, speak up.


Here are the posts that gave me our total after our short rest.

Jun 7, 2017 16:41:05 GMT -4 Ken said:

Belarin feels much refreshed after the rest, although he still feels the chilling memory of the air creature's necromantic touch. While it wasn't nearly as cold as the feeling that swept over him when he took on the lich's aspect, it was quite potent nevertheless. He takes two of the six healing potions and puts them away in his belt pouch. "I can share," he says with a wink at Shorak. Hearing Condign call out, he quickly gets up and approaches his tiefling friend.

"Avoid loud noises if you can -- all of you," he says. "I don't know how well sound carries through those doors." He then sees the scroll case offered by the umber hulk. Belarin can feel his fingers beginning to itch. He starts to reach out toward the case, but then he quickly thinks better of it and takes two steps back. "Accept the kind gift," he says to Kal. "I'll give it my own look from here."

______________________________

Belarin takes two of the healing potions. He also invokes his Eldritch Sight to see the magic around the scroll case and, eventually, its contents.

Jun 7, 2017 20:14:54 GMT -4 Dave B. said:

Shorak nods to himself and rises as everyone else does the same. He goes over and picks up the last four healing potions. He hands two to Streko and stows away the other two amongst his person. "Yes, the less noise we make before opening the door the better." He says softly. He checks his weapons, making sure they are ready for use when he needs them. He continues to hold the torch in one hand and his tiny crossbow in the other.

Shorak left the "sleep-safer" at the inn.

[Jeff]

Not going to question that due diligence. So 4 remain after Tangat's.

[Darren]

Only correction is that Kal used his during the battle right before the elf mage killed everyone.

.....


Oh, I just re-read that. I guess Kal had one before they were handed out.

[Darren]

A quick OOC aside....

KAL is advocating for not going back to get the skull. As the tactician that he imagines himself to be, it's a bad idea. Darren also thinks it's a bad idea, but I also know there are ways for us to do it. So if Adamant presses for it, I will, in character, outline that I think Shorak and Kal could probably sneak back that way undetected and quickly retrieve the skull while everyone else holds our exit. I still don't think it's a great idea, but I don't know what promises Adamant made.

I don't want to say that in character, though, because from a role-playing perspective, Kal isn't going to offer that option unless pressed and he's not going to let everyone know that he can be pressed on it.

Thanks for listening!

[Ken]

Jeff, Belarin had said he lifted the mask off the spellcaster's face. Any info on that? Thanks.

[Jeff]

So I can't help but wonder why you want to address that out of character? Unless it's meant to inform in-character choices?

[Ken]

No, just pointing out that it seemed to be overlooked in the IC thread. Nothing sinister in my intent.

[Darren]

Jul 10, 2017 10:37:29 GMT -4 Jeff said:

So I can't help but wonder why you want to address that out of character? Unless it's meant to inform in-character choices?

Because I think sometimes it's important for players to be reminded that there's a difference between the opinions of our characters and the opinions of their players. It's easy to forget sometimes and I just wanted to make it clear that *Darren* is less opposed to this than Kal is going to appear, but in the interest of proper role-playing, Kal needs to appear really opposed to it. So, yes, I guess it's meant to inform player decisions, but I also don't know the other player's motivation or how actually important this is to them, and instead of wasting a lot of posts going back and forth and trying to figure out every player's intentions, I figured I'd just say it here and save us all some time.

[Jeff]

D'oh!! Simulpost. My question was for Darren. I totally meant to get back to the mask. Just a sec.

[Ken]

Darren, I understand where you're coming from, but I read your comments and think, "None of us should take Kal seriously when he says we should leave."

We obviously know that our characters' opinions don't always match our own, but I'm not comfortable with it being distinctly stated like this.

[Dave W.]

Yeah, I won't take it personally when it's in character. Kal and Adamant are different people with different perspectives. I'll post in the main thread in a minute...

[Jeff]

I mean, unless you're find a big or ongoing problem with another player's intentions, I kind of think you can just assume that a character is a character. Especially after this long. I get the "it's easy to forget" sentiment, but you could always toss that into the out-of-character text at the bottom of a post you're worried people might read into in regards to you, the player.

Like this. FYI, although my character just yelled at yours, I'm not actually mad at you.

[Darren]

Jul 10, 2017 11:20:30 GMT -4 Jeff said:

I mean, unless you're find a big or ongoing problem with another player's intentions, I kind of think you can just assume that a character is a character. Especially after this long. I get the "it's easy to forget" sentiment, but you could always toss that into the out-of-character text at the bottom of a post you're worried people might read into in regards to you, the player.

Like this. FYI, although my character just yelled at yours, I'm not actually mad at you.

Okay....I'm not sure I see a ton of difference between this and what I said, but sure, I'm on board.

[Jeff]

For what it's worth—as the impartial DM—I'm enjoying this debate. It takes guts to argue against a paladin on the matter of a promise made, and guts to side with one in these circumstances. This chapter has probably had more unexpected turns, for me, than most of the others. Even I don't know what choices will be made. Popcorn-eating moments for me.

[Dave W.]

I will get a reply out soon, I'm kind of busy at work right now and I have a scout meeting tonight but I'll try to get something up as soon as I can... Poor Kal is going to have to wait on tenterhooks...

[Darren]

[Jeff]

Jul 10, 2017 21:48:03 GMT -4 Dave B. said:

Shorak sighs. "I will go, if you want me to. As you know, I can move very fast. Just tell me exactly what the skull looks like." He waits to see what decision is made.

Dave, just wanted to address this statement: The option to take the Dash action when using your rogue's Cunning Action shouldn't be thought of as actually being 30 feet faster than everyone. You can only use Cunning Action during combat, so you shouldn't think of this as Shorak just being super fast, like a monk or a barbarian who actually get boosts to their base speed from their class. Rather, think of it like little bursts of speed when under duress; since it's the same feature that lets you hide and Disengage, it's all about a rogue's ability to think quick and be evasive.

I know I'm mostly just being technical, and you'll definitely get to, and should, benefit from that class feature as much as you can, but in-game, in-story, it's best not to think of it like Shorak's got super speed. If some sort of race were taking place, he wouldn't be able to have an extra 30 ft. of movement.

[Jeff]

FYI, when the group next takes a rest, I'll dish out the XP. Quite a few points, in fact.

[Dave B.]

Jul 11, 2017 6:01:03 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Jul 10, 2017 21:48:03 GMT -4 Dave B. said:

Shorak sighs. "I will go, if you want me to. As you know, I can move very fast. Just tell me exactly what the skull looks like." He waits to see what decision is made.

Dave, just wanted to address this statement: The option to take the Dash action when using your rogue's Cunning Action shouldn't be thought of as actually being 30 feet faster than everyone. You can only use Cunning Action during combat, so you shouldn't think of this as Shorak just being super fast, like a monk or a barbarian who actually get boosts to their base speed from their class. Rather, think of it like little bursts of speed when under duress; since it's the same feature that lets you hide and Disengage, it's all about a rogue's ability to think quick and be evasive.

I know I'm mostly just being technical, and you'll definitely get to, and should, benefit from that class feature as much as you can, but in-game, in-story, it's best not to think of it like Shorak's got super speed. If some sort of race were taking place, he wouldn't be able to have an extra 30 ft. of movement.

I do realize that, thanks. I was thinking more along the lines of, if he were forced into combat while on the way, he has that feat to hopefully keep him moving and not have to actually fight.

[Darren]

Two things....

I don't recall saying specifically what Kal did with the skull, but I think it's a safe assumption he would have tossed it on the ground assuming it to be a common skull.

Second, Ken, remind me what deal we made. It was a while ago and I honestly don't remember. We were supposed to....what? Bring them a sacrifice or something?

[Ken]

Yep. I just revised my post to include the link to the earlier post. This is something that Kal has discussed only with Belarin.

[Jeff]

Jul 11, 2017 20:49:24 GMT -4 Dave B. said:

Might need a luck roll here. I went back to see where Kal had left the skull after removing the teeth and there is no specific reference to what happened to the skull. Any chance Kal unconsciously pocketed the skull?

What Darren said. Yeah, I don't think so. No one absently pockets a skull. Plus his action of removing the "valuable" teeth assumed the whole skull isn't being pocketed.

[Ken]

Jul 11, 2017 23:17:43 GMT -4 Jeff said:

No one absently pockets a skull.

Paging Histra....

[Jeff]

No PC. In this game, I should clarify, right?

[Dave B.]

Hey, it never hurts to ask. I think Jeff did hint to the fact that skulls could be used as spell components in one of his posts while Kal was examining the skull. That's the only reason I thought of asking. It's all good.

[Jeff]

No, never hurts to ask.

[Ken]

Jul 11, 2017 23:45:50 GMT -4 Jeff said:

No PC. In this game, I should clarify, right?

Give Belarin time. ;-)

[Jeff]

Ahh yes, and looking back, I remember specifically asking what Kal does with the skull. But because he didn't answer that, the result is nothing. Left behind.

[Dave W.]

I have to say, it was difficult reading about Kal mucking with the skull while Adamant was unconscious and unaware...

[Jeff]

3000 XP has been given out to each PC for infiltrating the Lighthouse, defeating its guards and traps, and defeating Greshnaza and her guardians. 200 more for dealing with the Khyber cubes.

But the big amount, the quest XP, will be doled out when Llash-Tava (shortly) goes her separate way.