OOC conversation for Chapter 2 goes here.

Question for you folks.  What style of players do we have in this game?  Would you prefer to figure out the mechanism (puzzle) through roleplay or rollplay?  It will not hurt my feelings either way.  I just want to keep the game energy up and fun for y'all.

We have some description and acted accordingly. If you want to give more description, I'll try to use more brain cells. If you don't, I suggest you roll the dice or let us move on.

In reply to Eru (msg # 2):

Depending on the puzzle design, I'm afraid the back and forth that's often necessary for sorting out puzzles may take a long while with a feedback loop as large as posting on a message board. If we were all in a chat room, I'd probably vote for braincells, but in our situation, dice seem like they'd keep things moving better.

I think I agree with Phineas here. The turn around time trying to sleuth a puzzle might be too large depending on the design. At our posting rate, it might take a month to get the gates open.

As much as i would love to solve things like this by thinking it through and trial and error, i think i would have to agree with the others.  It will save a lot of time if we just role dice to solve it.  But maybe if we roll really terribly then we would be forced to work it out on our own.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:38, Tue 14 Apr 2015.

Thanks, guys.  Moving on tonight then. :)

Skill XP

You get one skill xp to add toward Use Device, Disable Divice, Engineering, or any one other skill that seems appropriate for the gate gears.

You each get one skill xp to add to Handle Animal for wise handling of the animals during and after the flight from the tower courtyard.

Remember 1 XP is not the same as 1 Rank.

I partly remember the skill XP rule, but not enough. I failed to find the rule in the House Rules. Where is it relevant post?

You ought to be able to get the jist from the main XP thread.

link to a message in this game

when I have more time, I will post it up in the House Rules thread.

Thanks; I have it.

I edited my last post.  I had made a mistake in reading some information about the nature of the group we are moving towards.  Sorry if i confused anyone.

Based on the GM's last post, I would recommend we stay 3 days just to make sure we've got a fair amount of supplies. Just in case we get lost or something... we'll have some padding.

That sounds like a good plan.  We can get all the provisions we need for the long trip and maby some more info the longer we stay.

In reply to Ano (msg # 15):

Good by me!

Are we on the west bank of the river?

East.  Between the Anduin and the Mountains of Shadow.

We couldn't go through the settlement and be on the west bank? Or do we have information the dwarves are (maybe) on the east side? Or we don't know.

If you attempt to go west into the heart of Gondor, the military will stop you.  They are not happy that you have stirred up Minus Morgul and do not want you near their capital.  Eles will agree and say that the east bank will allow you to move more directly north to the Chasm as the river eventually curves westward.

If you insist on being on the west bank, Eles will confide that there might be a place to cross further north.  A place called Cair Andros.

Thanks.

Money is, at this point, a background mechanic.  I have granted that you have each brought enough for daily efforts and travel, and have earned enough to maintain that along the way.  However, now that you are truly full-class adventurers, it is something to actively seek and keep up with.

Starting gold for your profession/classes is going to be an average of 50gp per person.  Eles likely has more, but doesn't brag about it.

Toben has a great interest in many of the item presented at the shop. I'll post something more detailed later today to help enumerate what he wishes to purchase.

Noting that 50g (or whatever the currency is) has been added to the party fund.

Not sure how exactly we'll track that other than here, unless we create a thread for party funds/treasure.

Heading to Tennesee this next week.  My internet access is an unknown variable right now.  May or may not be able to keep up over the next week.

Roll call.  Everyone ready to get back into the story?

Welcome back. I'm here

Clang, clang, clang, went the Klale....

Im ready ad well

In reply to Eru (msg # 26):

Present and accounted for!

I just gave Klale some stuff. A folding shovel is designed to be carried in a loop on belt or backpack.

Sounds good.

Have updated the website with quite a few new entries.  Feel free to add to it as you see fit.  Try to keep within the format I'm using just for organization's sake.

Nice summary of everything

2 katanas - light exotic melee weapon, 1d6, 19-20 x2, slashing/piercing, two weapon fighting penalty is lessened by 2 for each hand for martial artists without Two Weapon Fighting feat.

11 5-point throwing stars - light thrown weapon, 1d2, 18-20 x2, range 10'

1 cutlass - light martial melee weapon, 1d6, 18-20 x2, slashing/piercing, +1 vs. disarm

1 hunting knife - light simple melee weapon, 1d4, x2, slashing/piercing, toughened for cutting wood/bone

2 spring-loaded wrist knives - light exotic melee/thrown weapons, 1d2, x2, range 5', +1d6 sneak attack

let me know if you are going to strip their clothing and I'll provide stats for those, too.

We have a conflict of posts. It's noble, perhaps, to heal the person who has just been trying to kill you, but what are your plans after? One prisoner is enough; having the second is apt to put an extra burden on the party...more to guard, another mouth to feed. Klale didn't smoke the fish for amusement. Our task is to find the dwarves. Anything else is a side matter. The healing also uses up a party resource.

This sort of situation probably will repeat itself. It's one person now, but if there were two or three or....

Ill take the other 6 throwing stars then.  Other then that for equipment im good.  Unless the man in black is wearing anything special.  Doea he still have a mask on?

I think we should leave the big man and just take the man in black.  Im guessing the big one is a mercenary.   If we cant get information from the other msn then we leave him behind too.  No need to keep him  around fpr a long time.

It's a shame Xar got away... I am sure he would have had some useful information.

In reply to Klale Tsolo (msg # 36):

Oh, it's more role play than practical plans. Phin has a tender heart under his rakish exterior, and all this violence is hard on him. (I'm not much of a min/maxer, generally -- like to play with the characters and their motivations.)

Toben probably won't show any interest in the gear collected. There is very little he ca use proficiently.

As for the captives, if the big guy is already on his way out the door, I suggest we let him go. I don't know if we even have the skills to save him. The other guy we can keep for questioning, but I'd rather not risk taking him with us. That is me taking though, not toben. Toben would likely question him then cut him loose a day or two later.

Ya i might be worth while to question him before we leave then leave him behind.  Ano as a character won't kill unarmed and helpless opponents.

Klale administered a coup de grâce...and about the quickest death possible.

Anyway, if Phineas were to start healing him, Klale would interfere.

I don't think I'm min/maxing the character, but I think I am roleplaying the situation...realism in a fantasy setting.

In reply to Klale Tsolo (msg # 42):

Sure, sure, that's fine. Our characters may just be operating at cross purposes sometime. I won't take it personally. :)

Klale is on the overbearing side here, but he's a man in a hurry...and he's averfs to attempts on his life.

I will be away from home for the Christmas  holidays for a week or so.  I should be able to keep up with my phone but post may be abit delayed.

No worries.  Merry Christmas, y'all.

In reply to Eru (msg # 46):

Hey gang, I'm in the middle of moving house at the moment, and won't have internet at the new place until Tuesday, so my participation will be pretty limited for a few days. Thanks for your patience. (And feel free to plow on ahead; don't let me hold up the show.)

Best of luck to you... moving sucks!

But is exciting in a way.

In reply to Klale Tsolo (msg # 49):

Ok, move mostly done. Internet should be up by Tuesday, so I should be back up to full steam by then. Per predictions, both a pain and exciting in its way…some closure on a tough chapter of life.

Klale grunts and says No dwarves anywhere decent distance from here...that's bad. You want to know what's up...okay...here's our story. We're from the east, where decent ruilers are few and far between. We were conscripted into on such lord's army and here's what befell....

And Klale relates what happened from then until now. So time presses us. You're probably right about the need of peace, but I fear that if we fail, the no-peace will be misery for all.

Was that supposed to go in the other thread? :)

Yes.

How lit is the cavern, if at all?

How big of a gap is there between the end of the bridge and the other side?

It is lit by your torches only.  The gap is more than 200 feet across from the end of the truncated bridge to the ledge on the other side.  Too far to jump.

At least across. On the other hand, what a diving board!

Can we see the cave walls to either side of the bridge or up to the top?

There is nothing but chasm on either side of the bridge.  The chasm is like a riverbed with no bottom running parallel to the ledge you are one.  The bridge is perpendicular across it.  There is the interior of the mountain far far above, too far to hit with an arrow after about a few feet from the edge of the ledge above you.

I forgot did we have any other leads on the dwarves  or qas this the only place we thought they might be?

There is a mountain far to the north, more than a month travel.  (Lonely Mountain)

That old black magic has me in its spell
That old black magic Eru weaves so well
Those icy fingers up and down my spine
The same old witchcraft when your posts meet mine

The same old tingle that I feel inside
And then the convolutions start their ride
And down and down I go, and 'round 'and round I go
Like a leaf caught in the tide

I should stay away but what can I do
I hear my friends and I'm agame
Agame with such a burning desire
Only success can put out the fire

Songwriters
MERCER, JOHNNY / ARLEN, HAROLD

Read more: Harold Arlen - That Old Black Magic Lyrics | MetroLyrics

What seems to be the best plan.  We can check for other rooms or doors or explore this room more and examine the well possiblely

Since we are here, we might as well examine this room as best we can, then move on if we don't find anything promising.

In reply to Toben Ironsprings (msg # 63):

My apologies for the delay, all. I had a private message waiting, but I seem to have a -15 on my "Noticing the PM indicator" roll.

LOL

Is it the intention of the group to wait or do anything?  I need everyone to chime in to move forward.  Feel free to post in the main thread or respond that you are waiting here.

Im ready to move forward whenever everyone else is ready.

Klale is ready to wake up.

I think Toben has done everything he intends to do...

In reply to Toben Ironsprings (msg # 69):

Phineas is waiting to see what happens next. (Though I gather you'd gathered…)

just remembering that we had a bag with a strange symbol on it.  We should see if we can get identified when they see us as trust worthy.  Who had the bag on them?

Hmm, I am not quite sure I recall that. When did we come across it?

It was a bag of coins we got of the assassins. Who attacked in the ring of stones.  I had forgotten  to but i came across the picture on the wiki site for the game.

Oh yes, I remember that. I am having trouble locating that on the site though.

Once we get past this rough patch, we may see if they recognize it.

http://5thagedivergent.wikia.c...h_Age_Divergent_Wiki

Found the post referencing it.

link to a message in this game

It also has a link to the image on the wiki.

Are the rest of you content to eat in silence, or do you have more questions for Gandamir about Fori?  Sound off here or in the IC thread.

Im content.  Ano usually prefers silence anyway.

When opportunity offers, Klale will mention that interest in ways out is, ahem, premature. Except for chit-chat, he's not probing, especially since these folk seem anti-probic.

I think Toben is fine. He always has questions, but I don't think he expects anyone to answer them all... merely plant the seed in others to be curious too.

Are we resupplying in town (whatever that may mean)? If so, what sort of goods might we be able to find within an hour?
This message was last edited by the player at 15:50, Sun 15 Feb 2015.

The dwarves will be supplying you with equipment for your journey since what you are doing is also helping them find information on one of their own.  I was on vacation the last two days, but thought I'd have computer access.  I didn't so I didn't get to post.  Sorry bout that.  Will post available equipment tonight.

No worries here. Thanks for checking in

If unchecked, I'm going to do a Monty Hall, which Klale well might need.

Just give me a list. :)

Full plate with locked gauntlets, tower shield, bastard sword, dagger, repeating heavy crossbow.

Holy water, thieves' tools for Phineas, sunrods, tanglefoot bags, thunderstones, healer's kit, steel mirror for Phineas.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:50, Tue 17 Feb 2015.

No such thing as holy water in this context.  Every thing else is easily within dwarven...er, Gonnhirrim skill to make.

Anything else?

Hmm, I'd better think on this. One thing that might be worth it if the Gonnhirrim think it feasible: A (little red?) wagon to put stuff in, and a cover for the wagon.

Doubt the group will have much success sneaking. Will need to IC mention that.

Toben rolled his own init

20:09, Today: Toben Ironsprings rolled 16 using 1d20+2. initiative check.

8:30, Today: Klale Tsolo rolled 5 using 1d20+2. Initiative.

21:42, Today: Ano rolled 14 using 1d20+2. initiative check.

Do you want us to post our first round action and let you sort out the order of things, or do you want us to wait for a cue?

In reply to Ano (msg # 91):

I'm happy with my Take 10 initiative.

Those of you with initiatives before the orcs can post.  Klale will need to wait until after they go.

Just a suggestion given the number of baddies in this camp... we may want a little prep time before running in.

Agreed.   If we have a good plan then maybe  we can make the fight a bit easier.

Toben has a few things he can prep prior to the fight.

+1 to attack and will saves for 3 mins
charge 1d3 projectiles to explode on impact (the charge lasts 3 mins)
+1 AC to a single target for 2 rounds.

I also have an idea that may cause a distraction and give us an element of surprise for the initial attack, if we choose to fight.
Toben has a spell (Magic Mouth, more or less) he can use that cause an inanimate object speak a message after a particular trigger has been met. It can repeat the message for up to 30 minutes. So if he were to cast the spell on a rock, have Phineas deposit the rock on the other side of the camp, and have the trigger fire on a 10 minute delay. The chatter might be enough to pull a few orcs away, or at least draw their attention long enough for us to get the jump on them.

The trigger will also be a good cue to prep the other spells.

I expanded Klale's post to indicate part of a plan.

After re-reading the description of the area, getting the magic mouth on the other side of the camp might be difficult. We could always just launch it over the camp.

If the ceiling  is high enough i could climb it over to the other side.  It would split the party a bit.

How much damage do those exploding projectiles do.  Wondering if we could use them o break the chain on the beast and get it rampaging.

Currently, base projectile damage to the single target +2d6 earth based damage in a 10 ft. radius.

If I get lucky and enchant 3 of them, we could do fair amount of damage right off the bat.

Ya thats definatly one way we could go., really weaken them up first.

My only issue  is im not fully sure i get the lay out of the area.  I did rad there was a slope that would take a while to climb.  Any way we could get some orcs down there.

Yeah, I had to read it a couple of times.

My interpretation of the area is that there is a narrow, railless bridge that passes over a hallway running perpendicular to the bridge. We are on one side of the bridge and the camp is on the other side. I don't think we'd have to worry about the slope unless someone fell, or unless we managed to get the orcs to fall over it.

The GM would need to confirm if that is the correct assumption.

Camp is on this side of the bridge.  You can't see the far side in your current light.

Ok, so that might make it harder to leverage the bridge in our favor. Aside from the 'magic mouth' approach, I am not sure how we could lure them over.

Perhaps we just prep with a Blessing, get a few explosive bolts/arrows and open fire?

Once we decide on a plan, I can RP my casting in the other thread.

FYI, Ano... I believe hps are max'd as you level up.

07:32, Yesterday: Ano rolled 4 using 1d8+3. level 3 hp roll.

Really that would be awesome.  Can i get a confirmation from th GM?

Looks like we are ready to fight.  Did we want to use the exploading projectiles to clear them from the bridge?

I am crafting a post right now to describe my preparations. I would imagine after that we'd start initiative or something.

In reply to Ano (msg # 107):

from the XP thread: link to a message in this game

For what increase?  You should not have to roll for anything.  HP is maxed out every level.  I'm not sure what else is traditionally rolled for.

Oh ya you are absolutely  right,  thanks  for catching that.  The extra HP is much needed.

Confirming HP is maxed out every level.

Gents, my apologies for being incommunicado. Looks like the weekend was action packed. We had a family camping trip, and I forgot to alert y'all. Mea culpa. Back in it now.

Thaks, Toben. Glad you're still with us, Phineas.

Would it be possible to get a better idea of where Fori and Baffin are in relation to the bridge and the orcs running after us?

I was wanting to throw out an entangle, but I didn't want to catch any allies in it. After that, I was planning to lob a grenade at them :)

I thought the idea is for everybody to get to the bridge and move on. Maybe we should change the objective and try to kill them all. Unless the beast is loose, one shouldn't bother with it IMO.

 As for arrows, I'd guess full plate would stop them unless they his an eyehole.

That was the plan. With Fori and Baffin out in the field, I wouldn't want to leave them behind. We may need to dispatch all the orcs we can to make sure we don't lose anyone. At the very least, keep as many injuries down as possible.

Could you possibly identify on the map which orcs are picking bows?

It might also be worth noting which are still alive too. :)
This message was last edited by the player at 17:10, Mon 09 Mar 2015.

Yeah, I ran out of time cause I was doing it in the midst of classes.  I'll update.

Oh, no worries. Do what you gotta do.

Updated.  Remember, this is just after you reach the bridge, so the orcs have not regrouped to attack en masse yet.

FYI: Geeked out a little with the verbal components on the casting. If you care to know what Toben is saying, check this out.

http://draconic.twilightrealm.com/

That is really cool.  I was wondering if you were making up words or if it was something significant.

Nice call with the smokestick, Ano.

Thanks but i don't know if it helped much.

Probably saved Phin from becoming a pin-cushion :)

Morale booster; Ano is in there pitching.

In reply to Toben Ironsprings (msg # 125):

Hehe. Thanks for helping to save Phin from himself. :) [Or from me.]

I think we may be up against insurmountable odds with this beastie.

This could be the flight part of 'fight or flight'.

Thoughts?

http://fantasy-faction.com/wp-...12/fly-you-fools.jpg

I think flight is our best option  now.

Are we going to see some good old "you shall not pass" action?

Pretty much.  :-)

I was informed that Klale can fit down the chute in his armour if he wants to.

I apologize for my long absence.  Internet was down this weekend and it was a long weekend.  I won't bore you with details, but I'm back online.

that's ok.  i was gone the whole long weekend so it was a nice break.

ROFLMYPROMOTIONALKITTENBASKET!!!!

Great... just what we need. A giant lizard monster with 2 butts (once it regens).  =D

Only 6 seconds per round so we are waiting on Klale before more can be said/done.

I've got a response for Telchar, I think, but I'll probably need to coordinate with the GM a bit...
This message was undeleted by the player at 20:24, Thu 23 Apr 2015.

• Spear
• Sash
• Bag of strange gems with inner light - multicolored
• Boots - Heavy, possibly made of scales from a large reptile
• Cloak - dusky grey
• Quiver - finely made, hums faintly
• Pouch - finely made, empty but feels heavier than it should
• Ivory Fang - thin and serrated with a leather bound tang to make it a knife or possible spear head
• Book - sealed (key needed), leather-bound, strange material for pages
• Polished skull of some smaller mammal
• A fancy-looking lute
• A nasty looking shield with spikes all around in on the front - possible orc/Uruk-Hai origin
• Hilt of a large blade weapon - black with dark emblems (skulls and such)
• Twenty various bottles and vials of unknown liquids and powders
• Feathered hat, well made, undamaged - hat is dark green, feather is a fiery red and almost seems to glow in the dim light of Telchar's lanterns and Toben's rock

Just an FYI, if I happen to grab something that is better suited for another party member... you're more than welcome to it.

The blade and shield, of course, interest Klale. However, he'd want to know more about them.

I have a feeling there is going to be a bit of a 'discovery process' for what these item do ... :)

If the boots are as heavy as they seem, then they might be good for Klale.   Ano can take the spear with him at least until we know more about it.  Im not really proficient with spears.

Just to recap, this is where the stuff is currently allocated.

Toben:
Book - sealed (key needed), leather-bound, strange material for pages
Bag of strange gems with inner light - multicolored
Polished skull of some smaller mammal
Quiver - finely made, hums faintly
Pouch - finely made, empty but feels heavier than it should

Phineas:
Cloak - dusky grey
Feathered hat, well made, undamaged - hat is dark green, feather is a fiery red and almost seems to glow in the dim light of Telchar's lanterns and Toben's rock
A fancy-looking lute

Ano:
Sash
Spear
Ivory Fang - thin and serrated with a leather bound tang to make it a knife or possible spear head

Klale:
Boots - Heavy, possibly made of scales from a large reptile
A nasty looking shield with spikes all around in on the front - possible orc/Uruk-Hai origin
Hilt of a large blade weapon - black with dark emblems (skulls and such)

No one really claimed the 20 vials and bottles, but for the moment they are getting 'disappeared' into the pouch - unless someone else wishes to carry them around?

Where are the gems going to be held when the conversation starts?
Will you have the two in your hand from the beginning or with the rest of the gems or separate?
Which two gems will be offered (Phin, consider the types I described relating to color)?

I would recommend that Phin only carries the 2 he wishes to barter with.

The remaining gems can/should be kept in the pouch Toben is holding so that they might avoid detection.

That is probably the best course of action.  Although i get the feeling the drake might let us past for the price of 'everything we own'

In reply to Toben Ironsprings (msg # 145):

I'm onboard with Toben's plan.

Based on the posts, it would seem the second gem was green in color and glow.

What was the color of the gem and glow for the first?

Complementary, green and gold.

In reply to Toben Ironsprings (msg # 148):

I was winging it there. :) Do we have any specifics on the gems available? (Number, color, etc.?) Or shall I just wing it some more?

Wing it to an extent.  I'll correct if there is a glaring contradiction.

Please reread Klale's post to update reactions accordingly.

Brilliant!

Updated Toben's post to make more chronological sense with Klales.

Got to love the title of a new chapter.  This one sounds foreboding.

http://5thagedivergent.wikia.c...r_2?venotify=created

Did I leave anything of significance out of my summary?  Feel free to edit as needed.

Looks good, only thing major that jumps out as missing was the guidance of Xar/Teb and their attack just before running into the Rangers

*facepalm*