Chapter 14: Q&A / Discussions

[Darren]

Yeah, I don't think we have 10 minutes to listen to Melethos go on and on about the virtues of different types of horn ornamentation....

[Darren]

Also, who has the feather? Kal's got a sphinx feather, but that's not the same one. I didn't see it listed in anybody's inventory....

[Brian]

Dec 10, 2017 3:40:24 GMT -4 Darren said:

Yeah, I don't think we have 10 minutes to listen to Melethos go on and on about the virtues of different types of horn ornamentation....

Even though horn ornamentation is a cherished part of tiefling history, I will defer to Jeff and Darren's logic. It does seem a stretch to have a 10 minute speech at this time. I'll edit my post.

[Dave W.]

Dec 9, 2017 10:29:15 GMT -4 Elvis said:

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. 😄

Elvis, when Addy's been knocked unconscious (sadly not entirely a novel thing) I've continued to read the main thread. It's entertaining but it can be frustrating when they head off down the wrong tunnel and you can't say anything!!

I don't think it would a bad thing to read it... you just have to keep in mind that Thul doesn't know everything that Elvis does...

[Brian]

Jeff, do you want Melethos to do a Nature check or something to see if he recognizes that bird? Or is that something you would do it warranted?

[Ken]

You're a bad man, Jeff LaSala.

[Brian]

Okay, I'm obviously missing something here, but I suspect I'll find out what it is soon enough.

[Jeff]

Dec 11, 2017 14:54:08 GMT -4 Brian said:

Jeff, do you want Melethos to do a Nature check or something to see if he recognizes that bird? Or is that something you would do it warranted?

Not yet. The point is that he can't really see it from where he's standing yet. He's just glimpsing feathers and a big form and that's it.

Dec 11, 2017 15:23:19 GMT -4 Ken said:

You're a bad man, Jeff LaSala.

Heyyy, what'd I do?

[Elvis]

I could read it. I will when its over or if Thul doesn't make it.

Its more entertaining this way for me.

[Ken]

I had a guess about what was going on. I'm glad I was wrong.

[Jeff]

Well when we’re past all this you’ll have to tell me what you were suspecting.

[Dave W.]

I think I was thinking the same as Ken... that we were getting into a rocky situation... with the guard stoned out of his mind perhaps...

[Brian]

Dec 15, 2017 12:55:20 GMT -4 Darren said:

Kal sees the sentry run off and feels their chances of escape slipping. "No," he says quietly, stepping forward to stand behind Melethos. He reaches out a hand to place on the tiefling's shoulder, trying to get the man's attention, and prepares to vanish with a cracking step as he has done in the past. He closes his eyes to gather his energy....

...but instead of sparks, Kal simply fades away, and Melethos with him! The two men reappear just as quickly, only standing in front of the stunned sentry!

______________________
This all assumes Brian is willing to go along with it. Kal will run forward to stand next to Melethos, then use Dimension Door to transport himself and Melethos to just in front of the path of the fleeing sentry.

I'm very willing. Jeff, do you want me to make a post for Big Red before you respond to Darren's post?

[Jeff]

Nah, it's fine.

Ken:

Dec 15, 2017 11:06:53 GMT -4 Ken said:

Confident that no one is giving chase - yet - Belarin follows the others outside and closes the door. He then takes out the jar of sovereign glue and, with the applicator, scoops out the last of the glue and applies it to the door.

Which door? Secret door or outer door?

[Ken]

Outer.

[Darren]

Jeff, why wasn't Kal able to transport him and Melethos in front of the mercenary? I would assume that the movement of Dimension Door is faster than the movement of a person on foot....?

[Jeff]

C'mon, do you really have to protest everything?

Because Kal still had to reach a point within 5 ft. of Melethos. And the guy wasn't standing still. So when Kal reaches Melethos, the guy has gone further, and Kal can only teleport to a point he can see, which is just that corner where it rounds the cliff face.

Click the diagram.

Attachment Deleted

[Jeff]

And I'll go a step further. Even if the guy stood still and waited for Kal to reach Melethos and then cast the spell, he would not be able to see even one square "ahead" of the retreating sentry because Kal can't see through rock. See graphic. Pink line would be Kal's line of sight, which would be blocked to the point he's trying to teleport to.

Attachment Deleted

[Darren]

I'm not trying to protest every decision, but we only get so many high-level spells and I use them very sparingly for a reason, so when I do use them I want to make sure I'm not throwing them away.

To your point, though, Dimension Door says "It can be a place you can see, one you can visualize, or one you can describe by stating distance and direction, such as "200 feet straight downward" or "upward to the northwest at a 45-degree angle, 300 feet," which does not imply line of sight is necessary.

[Jeff]

In that case, you're taking advantage of seeing the map now. If I had been tighter about where I cropped it, you wouldn't know if there is a sheer drop-off or an obstacle where you're visualizing." Would Kal risk teleporting himself and Melethos into open space? Even if there was a boulder or wall there instead, you'd both take 4d6 force damage, also per the spell description, and the teleporting would fail.

So let's be diligent going forward. When you use Dimension Door, specify the exact square you're aiming for. And if there's danger in that, we live with the consequences.

I need to be absolutely clear about where you're aiming to go. If the square isn't on the map and you're wiling to teleport to a place you can't see, then you have to tell me where the square would be ("3 squares west and 1 square south of where the retreating mercenary is on the map"). And if that's over open space, then it is.

[Darren]

Hey, Jeff. Trying to figure out some possible options.

If Kal casts Fly on himself and flies up to where Thul is (and hopefully Melethos will still be), and then wants to cast Fly on the two of them, does he have to re-cast it on himself as well? I realize that casting on the two of them would require him to use a 4th level spell slot to do it, but casting on all three would require a 5th level slot, not to mention the 3rd level slot he'll burn flying up there in the first place, so I just want to know the parameters before making a decision. I know the spell requires concentration, so casting another spell that requires concentration usually ends the first one, but since he'd be casting the same spell he was already concentrating on, I wasn't sure if there was any kind of exception.

[Jeff]

Afraid not. It’s all part of the balance. Recasting ends the first casting of the spell, at whatever slot. There’s no telescoping effect with casting at a higher level. So if I understand you right, that would indeed require two spells.

[Darren]

That's what I figured, but I just wanted to make sure.

[Darren]

I did a search through this thread and Adamant actually has the feathers. He was told to cast them to the wind when we were ready to leave.

[Jeff]

Yup, they've been with Adamant the whole time.

[Dave W.]

Dec 18, 2017 0:34:46 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Yup, they've been with Adamant the whole time.

Well, that's embarrassing...

[Jeff]

Just a note to remind you guys that only Thul can hear what Tallis and his other compatriot are saying right now. The rest of you have not heard as much information as he is imparting.

Also, I'm waiting for everyone else to react or take actions before continuing.

[Elvis]

Re: Brian's post:

As for timing... Thul will proceed once everyone is in the tent and around the map. 

[Jeff]

FYI, once some decisions are made, there'll be one last chance to liquidate some resources (and now Belarin is in possession of the "loot" as it were) and purchase supplies—within limits. A bunch of it can be done here at the Tents. Histra and Sem will talk about the Cornerstone situation after this current journey discussion. And Kruthor will give some healing and provide a safe place for the next long rest.

[Elvis]

Is there a quicker way we can get through the item purchasing?

I don't think we need to roleplay out each transaction, do we?

What is the value of the loot? Give us a haggle discount. Exchange for items/services. Get us on our way.