Chapter 14: Q&A / Discussions

[Jeff]

All too easy to hit delete while typing in these fields. Sorry. Fixed.

[Elvis]

Just a clarification.

I posted out of turn.

Thul yells at the waxman when he gets hit...

Then on Thul's initiative, he will move (2 south 1 west) and cast Shatter.

This may change depending on what the archers do...


Speaking out of game... 

I am really digging this encounter! So much going on. I loved the one against the manticores, but this is one is chaotic!

We need to press the attack. Disengage from the waxmen and let them divert to the passage way, then start dropping area effect spells to soften everyone up, and then move in for more blade work. They have no place to go.

[Dave W.]

Oh. I thought we were leaving...

[Brian]

We are. 🙄

[Elvis]

We haven't achieved our objective. If we leave now, we lose all the ground we gained. 

We have changed the flow of battle in our favour. The waxman are focused on the mercs now. The passage is a kill zone. Drop a wall of fire right up the middle... Fireballs... lightning bolts... nothing gets out of there alive.

We can do this.

[Brian]

I hear you, Elvis. But sometimes winning can be achieved by thinking outside the box. I don't want to hash this out here, because meta-gaming tends to make Jeff want to pull his hair out, but Thul will have to make a decision if the rest of the group leaves and brings the castle crashing to the ground. That scenario could also be an excellent role-playing opportunity.

[Dave W.]

and Jeff has lovely, luxurious hair... don't make him pull it out...

[Elvis]

Agreed. That woukd be the safest way to go.

But that's why i drive a highlander and roll up my windows in a sketchy neighborhood.

Cmon guys. Let's make other nerds envious! Let's be epic!

😄

[Jeff]

Yeah. Let’s not get too carried away with the meta-scheming.

[Brian]

What's more epic than bringing down a castle full of enemies in front of a populace that has been suffering from the wrath of an evil cloud giantess?

[Elvis]

CON save vs spell is 14, I think.

Hopefully that drops #1 😄

[Elvis]

Correct my memory...

The giantess has info on the Eye.
We are there to barter for that information.

Kruthor wants us to detroy the castle.

He gave us a means to get up there.

If we don't speak to her, what's plan B?

[Brian]

It's precisely this kind of chatter that Jeff would like us to avoid out of game. My suggestion, Elvis, is for Thul to make his case in-game, as Melethos is doing with Kal. Trust me, while I cannot guarantee the group will go along with Thul, we will listen to him. The stronger the case you have him make, the better the chances we will agree. As I've stated in game, Melethos is open to pushing forward. He just thinks the risks outweigh the benefits.

[Elvis]

Makes sense. Will avoid.

[Jeff]

Dec 5, 2017 8:56:54 GMT -4 Elvis said:

CON save vs spell is 14, I think.

Hopefully that drops #1 😄

Amended. #1 still doesn't drop.

Dec 5, 2017 9:00:16 GMT -4 Elvis said:

Correct my memory...

The giantess has info on the Eye.
We are there to barter for that information.

Kruthor wants us to detroy the castle.

He gave us a means to get up there.

If we don't speak to her, what's plan B?

Simply recounting a list of known facts is okay with me. Helps compensate for the memory-leaking nature of play-by-post style of gaming. What I want to minimize is the free telepathy that too much metagame speak is replacing. Actual telepathy exists in the game; giving everyone a freeform telepathy is a bit bothersome to me, is all.

[Dave W.]

The facts from Addy's perspective:

• He's lost 92% of his hp. He can stand up to a light slap with a wet issue of the Korranberg Chronicle (not the Black Friday edition mind you; just a regular one) but not much more.
• Invisible Rakshasa tend to carry the Black Friday edtions...
• Adamant is heavy to carry

I do have one 3rd level slot yet, so I could get back probably about 15 more hp, randomizer willing. And if we press on I will do that.

Make no mistake though, if we do decide to fight, Addy will move into the thick of it and last as long as he can. He would never leave the group undefended.

[Darren]

Kal's got some additional insight, too, that I'll share in-game shortly.

[Jeff]

Yay for in-game strategizing and/or arguing! Bring it! Stomp the yard! Run away! Storm the castle! Come what may!

I almost want to give Adamant a special power: when he drops to 0 hit points, he gets to fall on one adjacent enemy just so his heavy metal ass can do one last thing in service to the gods.

[Jeff]

But...

Dec 5, 2017 12:07:05 GMT -4 Darren said:

Kal looks between his friend and his new ally. "Sorry, Captain, but if Melethos says we need to leave, I believe him." More quietly, to be heard by those standing near him only, Kal says, "I understand now. That rakshasa had control of me earlier. Did you not wonder how I knew how to take down the barrier? I let those men in, and probably the yugoloth, too, at the rakshasa's bidding." Kal looks embarrassed, not meeting his friend's golden eyes. "I was weak. I'm sorry. But it as you say, and we are in danger here. Let us use the advantage we have while we still have it and remove our foes from the field." Kal grits his teeth and raises his eyes again. "Captain! We're leaving. We'll clear a path for you back this way, but if you go forward you do it alone."

That really is a LOT to be saying in combat out of turn. I'm okay with some quick retorts and such but this is conversation-type stuff you're doing here, and note that Kal and Thul are also standing 70 feet apart right now.

I'll let it be this time. But please, avoid this amount of exposition-heavy out-of-turn chatter in the midst of combat. On Kal's own turn, I wouldn't mind at all, especially if he's just moving around.

[Dave W.]

Dec 5, 2017 12:05:10 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Yay for in-game strategizing and/or arguing! Bring it! Stomp the yard! Run away! Storm the castle! Come what may!

I almost want to give Adamant a special power: when he drops to 0 hit points, he gets to fall on one adjacent enemy just so his heavy metal ass can do one last thing in service to the gods.

I'll take it! Comic relief ftw!

Wait, what? "almost"... buzz-kill...

[Darren]

Dec 5, 2017 12:13:34 GMT -4 Jeff said:

But...

That really is a LOT to be saying in combat out of turn. I'm okay with some quick retorts and such but this is conversation-type stuff you're doing here, and note that Kal and Thul are also standing 70 feet apart right now.

I'll let it be this time. But please, avoid this amount of exposition-heavy out-of-turn chatter in the midst of combat. On Kal's own turn, I wouldn't mind at all, especially if he's just moving around.

Yeah, sorry. I knew it as I was writing it. Things are just in a weird state right now, so I wrote it anyway.

[Jeff]

Dec 6, 2017 11:14:27 GMT -4 Darren said:

Kal will stay where he is and cast Wall of Fire on the three squares to the west of Thul, wall to wall, to block off anyone from coming at us. Hot side faces west. The three candle men standing there need to make Dexterity saves or take 16 fire damage (8 on a save).

Can you clarify the placement of the Wall of Fire? Do you mean immediately west of Thul so that it affects all the candle-men right there?

Attachment Deleted

[Darren]

Correct.

[Darren]

Dec 6, 2017 13:26:49 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Darren, actually...my bad, I somehow dropped the candle-men from the initiative count. They go on count 18, before Belarin and Kal. So you may want to reconsider what you do after I post. But I can't update anything until tonight.

Got it. We'll see what you post and then I'll let you know if we need to edit.

[Elvis]

Well lads...

If Thul doesn't make it, it was a slice adventuring with you.

I'll re-spawn as someone else.

If Thul does survive somehow... He's gonna be pissed. 😉

[Brian]

Right now, my last post makes me seem wishy-washy about what Melethos wants to do, but circumstances have changed....

Elvis, I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt that you have something more (better?) in mind for Thul than (and I'm speaking for myself here) him being a total jerk to the rest of the party, disregarding what a majority has agreed to as a plan of action. What I don't get is your motivation (which I'm not asking you to explain). Thul strikes me as chaotic, and individualistic man with a gruff exterior that may be more a facade hiding something of deeper emotional value. If that's the case, you are playing him very well, and I'm enjoying him immensely. That's the fun of role-playing.

On the other hand, Thul is an experienced warrior. He knows the party has the ability and intent to bring down the castle. For him to run further into the castle at this point, to me, seems suicidal. I simply can't square his behavior with rational, self-preserving interest. But that's my issue to deal with.

But most of all, this is a game where friends get together to have fun. Like I mentioned, I find your playing of Thul refreshing and interesting. But when it comes down to combat and group decision-making, where we all should be working together, I must be honest when I wonder if you intend to have Thul totally ignore our input throughout the game. I don't believe that's the case (hence the benefit of the doubt thing), but it does concern me.

I typically don't comment on the role-playing of other players, but this development got under my skin, and I ultimately felt I had to say my piece.

[Jeff]

I would just ask that you guys don't try to hash out character rationales here. At least not now. If this was a moment of downtime, I'd be fine with a certain amount of discussion in the Discussions thread to replace what would probably be in-world talking. But right now time is sensitive.

As I've said here and there before, I welcome conflict and drama, even among party members (and truly, it takes an outsider to make the rest of the party look like it's always gotten along perfectly, when really they haven't)...as long as it's productive to the story and to the group's short term and especially long term fun.

As for what's going on right now, the less meta speculation, the better. I'm certainly the sort of DM who lets the world play out around the decisions of the PCs; I'm not into predetermined events, with only a few important exceptions.

[Elvis]

I am a fan of all your chatacters. I loved working out how Thul would interact with them long before my first post.

Thul's motivations... If he lives, you will find out. 😉


Regardless of how this ends, the story is what matters.

See you nerds on the other side! 😄

[Elvis]

Hey guys... I'm imposing a blackout on the main thread for myself.

I won't read it until this is over, one way or the other.

It's not easy tho. I find myself constantly tempted. 😄

[Jeff]

This comes up each time, I need to address some logistics.

Dec 9, 2017 7:51:54 GMT -4 Brian said:

Melethos uses his Inspiring Leader feat. Everyone gains thirteen temporary hit points. I can't believe I forgot to use it earlier.

Then he casts Thaumaturgyto make his eyes glow red. Hey, even Big Red can have his little drama episodes.

Since we're out of combat phase, I'm guessing he can cast both.

He then approaches the sentry, drawing his sword.

It takes 10 minutes to use Inspiring Leader. That's essentially a 10-minute pep talk that Melethos gives while everyone listens. Now I don't need Brian to write 10-minutes-worth of speaking dialogue; what he wrote is perfect! Butit's still just representative of that full 10 minutes that needs to elapse. Which, since turn-based stuff is happening elsewhere right now (wherever Thul is) means we need to pause a while. Also, is he really giving this speech inside the "cloak room" within sight of the sentry?