Chapter 2: Q&A / Discussion

[Jeff]

Damage Reduction! Now that you've seen it in action, I'll tell you a little more about it (for those who don't already know):

The creatures you all just fought (and are fighting) had damage reduction. That means if you don't use weapons made of a certain material, it's a hell of a lot harder to hurt them. These things had pretty minor damage reduction (5)...so if you don't use the right weapon material, then the first 5 points of any damage you deal are simply ignored by their supernatural resilience. So if you hit for 7 damage, it takes only 2.

For example, werewolves have damage reduction 10/silver. Which means if you don't use a silver weapon, you have to hit them with 11+ damage to start hurting them. But if you do use silver, you bypass that whole damage reduction thing altogether.

Got it?

No, I won't tell you what the correct material is for the creatures you just fought. You're not necessarily going to know such things, unless you've got a Knowledge skill which helps inform you (as it sometimes will).

[Josh]

No, I won't tell you what the correct material is for the creatures you just fought.

What? You won't make it boring and easy? Damn you! Though... the pseudodragon did give what Grafth assumes is solid advice in this case.

[Jeff]

On the Worlds of DnD boards, Keith Baker answered a question about the dragonmarked houses that I find educational. The question was whether there was resentment about the houses. (Hence my reason for sharing this.)

Sure. The dragonmarked houses are essentially Wal*Mart, Starbucks, and Microsoft. Lots of people in our world despise the vast chains and the power they possess. And yet they continue to prosper, and the bulk of the population continues to use their services, because of the convenience or because they offer something no one else can. There's LOTS of people who dislike or distrust the houses, chief among them small businesses. But at the end of the day, when you're in the midst of the Last War and you want to buy warforged, House Cannith is your only option. And if you want reliable medical treatment, Jorasco is the place to get it. And if you want some assurance that you won't find rat tails in your stew, go to a place with the Ghallanda seal. And so on, and so on.

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[Jeremy]

Why is it whenever any of disagree we are "Posturing"?

Can't we just disagree sometimes?

[Jeff]

goran said:

Why is it whenever any of disagree we are "Posturing"?

Can't we just disagree sometimes?

That seems like a question Goran would have for Taymra. Not Jeremy for Jeff...

[Jeff]

See, here's the thing. I don't understand the way this happened. We repeatedly talked about Pel and Taymra going into the alley opposite Amal, and that apparently never happened. And then I never said Kal was moving near the door, but apparently that happened, too. And then I said that Taymra should teleport inside, and that didn't happen, either. So somehow the plan is all screwed up, and I'm not entirely sure why. Anyway, moving on...

I believe a basic plan was laid out by Kal. Yes. But as he approached it kept getting revised. And there was a fair amount of silence from various players, and definitely some assumptions made.

I really need to stress this: please be active participants, not passive ones. If Person A forms a plan, and suggests that Person B be somewhere at a certain time...when that time comes, I want Person B to actively state that they're going to be in that place, and not just assume they'll be there because Person A suggested it and Person B didn't contradict it.

This should be action-adventure. Right now it's been a bit of sluggish-adventure!

I mean this in the most positive way I can. I want people to enjoy this game and I'm just not getting that vibe much.

[Darren]

I'm definitely enjoying it, I'm just somewhat disappointed that the enjoyment I took in taking the last few weeks and laying out what I thought would be a pretty good plan has completely fallen apart when I had thought it was actually going correct. I understand what you said about people having not responded to the plan, so I see what you're saying, I just didn't realize it was where it was. For instance, I thought that Taymra and Pel had said that they did agree with the plan, so I assumed that they were where we planned for them to be, and then it turns out they weren't.

[Joe]

Streko is following whatever plan was concocted....I think...although if he had known there was an undead in the tavern, he might not have been so quick to follow Pel...

By the way, I am also enjoying things...mostly...this is a group of characters, however, that have no desire whatsoever to stick together or follow any one leader...

...as you said, Jeff...same old story...although, in Darren's defense, Taymra seemed to dismiss Kal's plan as well, because I was pretty sure she was to lead Pel and myself around back.

Oh well...we're in it now, aren't we?

[Jeremy]

Can we all please stop overreacting? That means EVERYONE. Jeez louise...let's just play.

* For the record, I vehemently disagreed with Kal but I followed the plan. I believe that constitutes following one person's leadership. So can we retire that played-out horse for good, please?

* I stated where I was, clearly, and what I would do. I have entered my info when there was something to say. BUT we can't be active when nothing is happening, and I'm not going to enter something when there's nothing to enter.

If we're all standing around outside waiting for the "plan" to develop, what more is there to do? We were waiting. It's hard to wait actively.

* I think there needs to be a point where we stop getting all bent out of shape when someone disagrees with someone else. A twenty-post whining match needs to be corralled, yes, but if two players go back and forth a couple of times, BIG DEAL!

* It is also my suggestion to everyone that we try to remember that online gaming is going to be different than face-to-face, and one of the upshots of this is that if you're going to make a plan, keep it simpler than you normally would, so this kind of confusion doesn't crop up. I know for my part I like to lay complex threads and strategems and I've had to change that since we started the online game.

[Darren]

I think you're missing my point, Jeremy. I'm not complaining about whether or not the players followed the plan or whether or not we disagreed. That is, in fact, the exact opposite of what I think happened here. We DID agree, as far as I knew. And the plan wasn't that complicated. I said exactly where everyone should be, and everyone agreed, but they never got moved. I think what I'm saying is that there is a miscommunication process going on between us and the DM. I'm not placing blame there, just pointing it out as a potential problem. We think we've stated our intentions, but they're not coming across. Maybe we just need to be clearer...I'm not really sure.

[Lara]

darren said:

I think you're missing my point, Jeremy. I'm not complaining about whether or not the players followed the plan or whether or not we disagreed. That is, in fact, the exact opposite of what I think happened here. We DID agree, as far as I knew. And the plan wasn't that complicated. I said exactly where everyone should be, and everyone agreed, but they never got moved. I think what I'm saying is that there is a miscommunication process going on between us and the DM. I'm not placing blame there, just pointing it out as a potential problem. We think we've stated our intentions, but they're not coming across. Maybe we just need to be clearer...I'm not really sure.

I'm in complete agreement with Darren and willing to take some responsibility but not all for not explicitly stating that Pel took position at the back door. I still read agreement to the plan in Pel's remark that she's got Taymra's back.

Moving to the back door would have cut off the means of communication with Kal, it would seem -- given the recent description of this NPC Amal's whereabouts -- so maybe the way things have turned out isn't as bad as it could have been.

So... anyone else looking forward to how 4.0 may probably revolutionize the play-by-post game? Move my frickin' virtual mini...!

[Jeff]

I'm a bit frustrated. I feel I've gone beyond the expected duties of a play-by-post DM (just looking around among others and see how few or minimal their maps are) and I'm not particularly thrilled at being pegged as the bad guy here.

Especially since I make many allowances. The moment Kal moved away from the park, he would have instantly lost the ability to communicate with Amal, because he'd be out of line of sight. But I didn't push on that issue. Also, each use of the Message spell would allow Kal to speak with 2 of his party members, so he'd have to say one thing to two people, then turn and point at 2 others and repeat the same thing. I've been generous, not following the rules to the letter.

So I've rolled with the situation. If Kal insisted that Taymra go around to the back, they'd not even know "when the fighting starts," as he'd want. So she's going with the only way she knows, and certainly the fastest way to get to the basement. Go in the front door, teleport down when she's in a good position to do so. Going around the building will take 3 rounds, then you have to identify the right door, then you have to get it open.

So I'm just having an NPC improvise. I'm stating exactly where she is, which is more than most of the player characters.

So... anyone else looking forward to how 4.0 may probably revolutionize the play-by-post game? Move my frickin' virtual mini...!

I'm feeling very open-minded about 4th Edition, though I don't relish the devaluing of my myriad 3.0 and 3.5 books. They're still good for flavor and fluff, I suppose.

[Joe]

I think both Jeremey and Jeff are over-reacting. I don't see any blame being placed on anyone...nor did it stop me from moving my character exactly where the agreed upon plan was to have him move. So, there appears to be a level of frustration not with the characters but with communication among the players...and in this medium, that is to be expected to some extent.

There was no doubt in my mind that Goran was, as usual, annoyed and in complete disagreement with Kal's questionable tactics...but Kal knew more about what was happening (one would hope) than those characters who came late to the party. It makes sense to follow his plans, whether those characters felt it was good or bad and I commend Goran on both his restraint and his follow-through.

Pel and Streko did exactly what they were ordered to do and Taymra did what she felt was necessary without alerting the others and that is great and fine...no problems...alas, from Pel and Streko's points of view, however, Taymra was bailing out on them without an explanation. <shrug> What's a girl to do?

No bad guys here...just characters doing exactly what they are supposed to do and players getting frustrated because they don't understand the other characters quite as well as their own. Such is life, is it not?

I think too much is being made to do about nothing at all. The storyline moves forward at a sensible pace and, as far as Goran, Streko and Pel's perspective...by this point in the game, we ALL know exactly how Kal does things...we knew it going in...and we all pretty much know how we are each going to react. We are all pleasantly consistant in that regard. So, let's stop discussing what's wrong with the characters (we all have our flaws) or complain about the lack of communication (I'm a bit anal retentive about communication issues...so that's mine to deal with) and let's continue to play the game. It IS enjoyable and, hopefully, will continue to be for some time! I, for one, would love to know where Jeff is taking us...

[Darren]

Jeff, please don't get frustrated. I'm not blaming you. I love the fact that you provide maps, and maybe some of the issue is that these things are taken for granted. If you'll remember, it was based on that map that I asked Taymra and Pel to station themselves at the opposite corner of the building from Amal, where Kal would, presumably, also be able to see them since he could see Amal. And I never said that Kal approached the door. That was assumed. It's not a big deal, I'm just pointing out that I think sometimes we, as a group, are not as clear with our intentions or with details as we think we are.

[Jeff]

Understood. But if Kal stayed back by the park, he'd not have been able to speak so casually with those within the brewery.

[Darren]

True enough. That was mostly my fault. I just sort of rolled with it when I realized that you had moved Kal nearer to the door.

[Jeremy]

I've shortened my previous lengthy response to this:

Please read my entire comment before you rebut it, I would really appreciate that. Some of you assumed that I was making certain points that I was not making.

That's all. Just read the whole thing in the future and think about the person's words a bit before reacting.

[Jeff]

Here is my basic tip, since this deadly predicament is a new one for this group:

- Running to the stairs and the ground floor is risky, and you may sustain some damage.

- Retreating into the trapdoor will provide immediate safety, but if it is a sealed chamber, that's going to be worse on the whole.

It's your call! This is choose-your-own-adventure, after all!

[Darren]

Here's the thing, and I could be wrong because Jeff could be a jerk, but I seriously doubt that if we all jump in the hole, Jeff is going to just kill us. I'm willing to bet there's something down there, or the Emerald Claw commander wouldn't have been headed that way. So I'm going for it. If Velhan wants to take the boy through the front door, I'd totally understand that, and if Taymra went with them, that'd be fine, too. I know Pel is with me, so we're going. Everyone else should feel free to make their own decisions.

My suggestion, and I know Jeff disagrees, is that Goran grabs the soldiers and goes with Streko out the front door with the boy, and that Taymra, Pel, Velhan and Kal head down the hole and find out where it goes. Don't forget that there is still the woman and Enan who are unconscious and need to be tended to, so it's not like Goran and Streko will be left alone and it's not like we'll be abandoning Amal to deal with the wounded on his own. Also, it'd be nice if someone could put the screws to that brewer who allowed this to happen...

[Jeff]

Don't bet on that.

I'm a nice DM who wants PCs to live...but isn't afraid to let them get hurt—bad—if circumstances demand it...and certainly not afraid to let them die if they're just plain foolish.

So...interpret as you will. ;D

Down the hatch could be new clues...or possibly certain death.

[Darren]

I still stick behind the idea that the EC commander probably wouldn't have been jumping down there to his own certain death...

[Joe]

I would agree with you, Darren. However, Streko, being who he is, MUST try to save the sleeping soldiers, as well as Goran and Tangat. And jumping into the hole won't accomplish that feat.

Thus, Streko MUST go to the stairs and try his best.

But in terms of strategy, I agree with you. I just don't think taking the boy with ME will be the smart move, psychologically speaking. He will WANT to be by his father, especially after the stabbing thing with him, and Streko will be trying to get three potential enemies to see that they'll fry if they don't run from the building without trying to skewer us first.

IMHO of course... ;D

*UPDATE*

As it would seem that the other soldier has fled, Streko will grab the soldier that Goran hasn't grabbed and Streko will follow Goran's decision to get to the stairs or back to the cubby hole. As Goran is now NOT in danger of losing his life to the Emerald Claw soldier, Streko has no problem heading to the hole that the commander dropped into.

What say you Jeremy? Down the rabbit hole or up the staircase?

[Jeff]

Hey, all. Thanks for the heads up, Lara, when you know you won't be around for the day. That helps to know.

But it's been kind of quiet lately, otherwise. I've been refraining from posting, hoping for some more participation. But I'm wondering now if you, Joe, and you, Jeremy, are just holding off, waiting for me? Thing is, I don't want this to just be me and Darren right now. This is a group, and even if your character is taking a backseat to the decision making, at least tell us what he or she is doing.

This is a communal novel, of sorts. Depict for us all. Give us a visual, give us a clue. Let's make this cinematic and fun!

[Joe]

Yeah, as Darren is the decision maker...Streko really can't do anything other than what he has already done...there really isn't anything to say and I didn't want to just type in something like "Streko waits for Kal to do something."

[Jeff]

Right, but not posting leaves me guessing: Is he gone for a few days? (In which case, I'll mostly likely just wait.) Is he just waiting for something else to happen? Is he bored as hell and just doesn't want to contribute? I have no idea.

Some sort of indicator in the main game thread would be helpful. If
Streko doesn't intend to act until Kal has reached a decision, then post something to that effect for our benefit: Streko stands off the side, keeping an eye on the tunnel while he waits for Kal and the soldier to come to an agreement. Whatever it is, Streko will concede.

Or whatever. Make it an informative post. Same goes for everyone, I'd think. It keeps us knowing you're still there. So if there's no post from Streko in two days, you can bet I'll start emailing Joe to find out if he's been abducted by aliens.

Too much to ask?

[Joe]

Heh. No, of course not. I wish the last couple of days haven't been as...demanding...as they have been. I've felt completely lost...as in a fog...and I haven't been enjoying life much this week, so I apologize. It's just been a blah couple of days.

[Jeff]

Same here. Don't apologize, man!

[Joe]

Joe usually flourishes in the new moon phase...and certainly doesn't talk about himself in the third person during that time...it MUST be the full moon!!

[Darren]

Does anyone else find themselves constantly chuckling at the ads put up by Google on this site? Good stuff.....

[Jeff]

Heh. Well, here's the thing. For the first few months, I laid the $7 required to keep the board ad-free for 50,000 clicks. But with 6+ of us checking in frequently, that 50,000 clicks goes fast (usually just a couple of weeks). Gets a bit expensive after a while. Add to that some of our squabbles, and I decided it wasn't worth it to pay so much for the cleaner, ad-free look, nice and private as that made the board look.

I hate the ads. But I guess that's how ProBoard gets their money.

Moreover, I hate asking anyone for money, even a measely $7 bucks. So I'm not sure if I should just suffer the ads or not.