Out-of-character chatter continued...

What did Alisanfra do to Tauster? That predates me as player

In reply to Alisandra (msg # 2):

Oh sorry. The last time we visited Tauster, Alisandra tried to "motivate" him to help us by calling him a coward. He did not appreciate that.

Huh. Old me sounds a lot blunter than new me. ;-)

I'm pretty sure the affected party members were Alisandra, Heldig, and Snagger.

Yeah, sadly, I can't do anything with lay on hands for attribute damage. Merely curing the disease.

And Heldig went home.

Couple of clarifications:

1. Kuiper's house is on the river and halfway to Thurmaster so even if we can catch a barge, we'd be gone a couple of days to visit him.
   
2. The priest was one of the kidnapping victims, but we could ask if there's another healer in town (or possibly in Thurmaster).

I don't hate Alisandra's idea of seeing if the priest had any books though.

May have missed the point two but we'll just blame that on imperfect IC recollection lol.

The books are a good angle, I agree.

To the priest!

Sorry about my lack of posting, you guys were doing great but end of year real life is getting in the way of creative posting here.

Let me know what you want to do next, and post something in the game thread in that regard.

Groups a semi-arbitary. Feel free to suggest changes. For instance, Lorrain you don't need to be relegated to being shut up in a room if you don't want to.

@DM: it occurs to me that our dwarven fighter could use some plate armor too if he's going to keep tagging along. Probably should have gotten him that on the last trip to the surface.

Hey, DM. Could you look at my AC calculation (below) and make sure it's right? I don't think my previous player did it right, because the breastplate's got a Max Dex of +2 (unless it's masterwork or something).

Breastplate (14) + Dex (2) + Shield (2) + Defensive Fighting Style (1) = 19

Apologies for missing it up to now, but I just noticed this. A breastplate in Pathfinder/3.5 has a maximum Dex bonus of +3, so I didn't check until I was reading up on armor because of the discussion about improving Snagger and Sylviel's armor.

I'll be happy to learn that Alisandra's breastplate somehow has a +3 max Dex bonus...which segues nicely into "do you have improved armor (e.g., leather +2) in your campaign? This appears to be DM-by-DM in 5ED from what I have seen. If it is possible to have improved armor, what's the mechanism to improve it?

I know I don't have to be shut in a room but honestly, I don't mind since I haven't been as active as I would like. This time of year (usually starts around September/October), I tend to disappear a bit...I miss my mom a lot and so this time of year just...sucks. There are good times with my family yes, but there's still a hole. I try to be active as much as I am mentally able.

I'm very sorry to hear about your loss and your pain, Lorrain.

My sympathies as well, Lorrain.

Take care of yourself, Lorrain.

My father passed in December as well.

It's been a while now, seven years or so? But yeah, I get that feeling. Take good care of yourself.

Post whenever you can, Lorrain, and don't worry about us; take care of yourself first. I suspect things will be a bit slow for the next few weeks with the holidays anyway. Speaking of which, I will be out of town visiting family for a week starting next Saturday, December 23rd, and I don't know how regularly I'll be able to post.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 20):

Ditto starting on the 22nd for me.

There is no "taking 20" in 5e.

Sorry old edition wording -- however isn't there an equivalent rule where you take 10x the time and (assuming that success is possible with your modifiers) success is automatic? I can't recall where I read it, but it was something like multiple ability checks?

Yes, that is a rule.

Oh, no, Sylviel, for *difficult* questions of the locals, Alisandra uses Intimidation skill, not Persuasion. ;-)

Persuasion, Intimidation, or Deception, she's good at all of 'em!

Can we divvy some of the treasure? Alisandra can buy exactly 10 gp of stuff at the moment.

You'll find that Sylviel is both very insightful and very persuasive. :p

Paladins get absurd proficiencies lol.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:45, Thu 21 Dec 2023.

I am no expert in 5e but I though Paladin's could still cure diseases:

Alternatively, you can expend 5 hit points from your pool of healing to cure the target of one disease or neutralize one poison affecting it. You can cure multipIe diseases and neutralize multipIe poisons with a single use of Lay on Hands, expending hit points separately for each one.

Would that not work?
This message was last edited by the player at 10:32, Fri 22 Dec 2023.

The disease is already cured, the ability damage it inflicted is not.

I'm thinking bed rest is the solution.

Yeah I think extended rest is probably the solution at this point.

Once again, I apologize for the disappearance. I should be alright now...really trying to get back into my games and my art. This last week had been even harder with the loss of a beloved pet and my teen having to be hospitalized due to mental health issues again...and yeah. I need a distraction from real life lol.

Ah, I'm so sorry Lorrain, we're happy to be distracting.

I'm a licensed clinician, and one of the people in my county authorized to write exactly those sorts of psychiatric holds. Not the same as being there, as I'm always there on the other end of exchange, but I've been there countless times. Adding a pet dying to the middle of that whirlwind?

*Hugs*
This message was lightly edited by the player at 16:13, Sun 31 Dec 2023.

No need to apologize, Lorrain; you've got some serious RL concerns, and those always come first. Thanks for keeping us updated. I hope the new year brings you some relief.

Blessings, Lorrain. Take care of yourself as well as your loved ones. (We all too often forget to do this!)

That is a very rough hand, like the DM said I hope that the new year brings something better.

Expect a post from me this weekend; I've been busier than normal this week and haven't found much time to post.

That was a really good idea.

Looks like Rissa will be making Potions of Darkvision until our companions return.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:55, Wed 10 Jan.

I get that same answer every time for Tauster, but the dude is always sus.

Jinx, you would not be able to "look around Tauster's place," as he did not let you inside and only cracked the door open enough to talk to you.

I'm assuming no one in town is selling the formula for Potions of Darkvision.

I am a trained Herbalist, do I know the formula, or can I learn it?

Still here. I've been back and forth with the GM about the scrolls! Just letting you guys know!

Little update: Things have slightly calmed down with real life! The teen has been home for a week now...and still just as chaotic as ever...unfortunately, due to her volatile attitudes and such...she is going to be moving down to Missouri in February to live with other family who can still provide a bit of a safety net while she figures life out while also forcing her to be an adult (she's 18...and basically tries to manipulate me and my SO to get what she wants and only wants to be an adult if it benefits her). I think taking her out of her comfort zone will be a good growing experience for her (I could be wrong). I have two other, younger kids to think of and her self destruction is just not good for them to be around.

I appreciate you all and thank you for the great distraction. I am hoping to fully flesh Lorrain out now that I know more about Bladesingers and such along with maybe posting up some more art (Rissa I haven't forgotten about you!! It's just been insane lol!).

Once everyone is ready, we can proceed to your return to the tunnels.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 42):

I'm set

Can I assume Rissa gives Alisandra enough money to buy the things she mentioned, including items for the party that we'll store in the cottage?

Anything you need.

Was I able to get any leads on potions of Darkvision?

Otherwise, I'm good to go.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:23, Mon 22 Jan.

Rissa, you are unable to craft a potion of darkvision, as you don't know that spell.

Alisandra, can you post a list of what you want to purchase? I'll let you know what is available from your list and the total cost.

Snagger and Syviel's suits of armor will be ready for them before you are set to leave Milborne.

Personal to Alisandra:

• silvered rapier - 125 gp
• silvered crossbow bolts (x10) - 100 gp 5 sp

Total of Alisandra's gear = 225 gp 5 sp

Group gear (mostly stored in the cottage, except the antitoxins, which would be kept on each person):

• antitoxin (x7) - 350 gp
• climber's kits (x7) - 175 gp
• miner's picks (x3) - 6 gp
• shovels (x7) - 14 gp
• dried rations (210 PC days' worth) - 105 gp
• hogshead (250 L) barrels of fresh water (we'll inspect the water) (x3) - guessing an empty barrel's about 10 gp, so 30 gp
• torches (x300) - 3 gp
• tinderbox (x10) - 5 gp

Total of group gear = 688 gp

The rations and water are both 30 days of food and drink for a 7-person group, in case we get into a part of the Underdark where we cannot forage/buy/hunt food. The torches are only about 12-1/2 days' light, but many characters (e.g., me) can make light.

There are eight people in the party, not seven.

Is Snagger still a member? I thought he was departing and not going down again?

If 8 people, then:

• antitoxin (x8) - 400 gp
• climber's kits (x8) - 200 gp
• miner's picks (x4) - 8 gp
• shovels (x8) - 16 gp
• dried rations (240 PC days' worth) - 120 gp
• hogshead (250 L) barrels of fresh water x4 - 40 gp
• torches (x400) - 4 gp
• tinderbox (x12) - 6 gp

Total of group gear for 8 persons: 794 gp

Got it. I subtracted the costs from the group fund. Rissa, are you keeping track of the supplies in the cottage?

Snagger's still with you. It was Heldig who left.

While you're getting ready, you should update your default shifts for keeping watch while resting and your default marching order. Here's what we have without Heldig:

First Shift: Lucien & Rissa & Lorrain
Second Shift: Lucien & Lorrain
Third Shift: Lathan & Snagger
Fourth Shift: Lathan & Jinx & Alisandra

Marching order:
1st:  Lathan/Alisandra
2nd:  Snagger
3rd:  Rissa/Lorrain
4th:  Lucien/Jinx

Let me know where you want to put Sylviel in each, and let me know if you want to make any other adjustments.

My 2 coppers on marching order:

Despite wearing a breastplate, Alisandra excels at "front of the party sneaking" roles. Perception +8, Stealth +9, Sleight of Hand +6 (but she is not proficient in thieves' tools). Leaving her in front makes sense. She also has the Alert feat, which means she cannot be surprised if she's conscious and she tends to go early in the initiative order (+9 to Init roll). She can spot traps but because she lacks the tool proficiency, she can't disarm them.

Makes sense, Sylviel is basically served best as a second liner in terms of marching order. Low dex means she's slower on the initiative reaction but can hit rather hard as one might suspect of paladins.

I'm going to stay where I'm at I think. Alisandra and I overlap in terms of skillsets, but I'm primarily ranged. I'll keep sneaking ahead when necessary.

I hadn't thought of silvering weapons, but it's a good idea. Can I also get my gear silvered (I'll use my existing stock)?

• Silvered rapier
• Silvered arrows (x20)

I had not been, but I can start if you'd like?

I'd like to have commissioned a bejeweled bracer with the image of a dragon engraved on it, worth at least 500 gp, as well as a ring with a 50gp diamond in it that, if it's alright with the group?

Rissa belongs in the middle, she can see farther than most of you in the dark but she's got shit perception, HP, AC and stealth.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:26, Tue 23 Jan.

In reply to Rissa Twiceborn (msg # 54):

For the record, I have a record of all the stuff that I stored in the hut and of the money. I would prefer to just get a sum of how much we spend from the group pool at the end. So far I only subtracted the supplies I personally bought (not the silvered weapons) from the money I had on me.

If the only other stuff we want in there for now is Alisandra's stuff then I can just track everything? Or maybe we can make a thread for it?
This message was last edited by the player at 04:00, Tue 23 Jan.

If the group is okay with me spending 500g on an item that I won't use for 7 more levels, I'm more than happy to track it!

In regards to marching order and watches, I am alright with what we currently have. Also, Rissa, I don't mind you spending the money. I have not been able to work out which scrolls I would have scribed yet but will correct this this week. Work has been rather busy (thank you cold weather and working in a hospital...not a nurse or doctor though), my teen has been...a teen and I have some weird allergic reaction to a shampoo I used and now have a rash all over...Benadryl has been my best friend. I feel like I keep coming up with excuses as to why I didn't do as I should have. Well...on to catching up with everything! :)

Sylviel, I added you to the second rank in the marching order; what shift do you want for keeping watch while resting?

First Shift: Lucien & Rissa & Lorrain
Second Shift: Lucien & Lorrain
Third Shift: Lathan & Snagger
Fourth Shift: Lathan & Jinx & Alisandra

Marching order:
1st:  Lathan/Alisandra
2nd:  Snagger/Sylviel
3rd:  Rissa/Lorrain
4th:  Lucien/Jinx

If Lucien is keeping track of everything already, he can continue to do so, unless he prefers to pass it on to someone else.

Lucien, if you're willing to wait in Milborne for a couple more days, you can get your weapons silvered.

Rissa, you can commission those pieces, but it will be quite some time before they are ready, which I don't suspect is a concern of yours.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 58):

I'll keep tracking items in the hut then (EDIT: I have added Alissandra's purchases except for the antitoxins). I just noticed that you said you're tracking the group fund. Should I delete what I have on my character sheet as far as the group fund?

I will also wait in Milborne to get my gear silvered. Jinx and Lathan can go back without me if they want.

A-ok with you spending the money Rissa. Frankly I think we need reasons not to spend money at this point.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:38, Wed 24 Jan.

Lucien, the entire party is currently in Milborne. I meant that you will need to wait in Milborne for a couple more days before heading back underground.

Sorry, I meant to say Thurmaster, but yes got it.

I think we may as well stay together.  I don't think Jinx has more reason to return to Millborne than she has to wait in Thurmaster.
@Lucien: I don't really think that silvering weapons would be useful for Jinx but I am open to any suggestion for good us of time and resources while we are there.

I don't think it's worth Jinx trying to make money by selling acid flasks or the like.  I think we have enough money.

@DM: can I buy a few vials or even better non-breakable containers somewhere?

Yes, Jinx; let me know what you want to buy exactly. And if you're staying in Milborne for two more days, you should have time to visit Kuiper's farm again.

So...Lorrain would have ended up spending 100 gp and would have scribed 2 scrolls of Detect Magic and 2 scrolls of Comprehend Languages. I would have loved to do a couple Dispel Magic but didn't have the time to achieve that. Catching up on posts now if my Surface will behave...(it's dying a slow death lol).

Let me know what everyone is going to do during the next two days while you're waiting for the blacksmiths to finish your items. I'd like to move things along soon.

Trying to make Elixirs of Darkvision!

Probably training and trying to learn undercommon to some extent as opportunity presents.

Taking Jinx' suggestion to stop back by Kuiper's.

Lorrain would offer to help Sylviel with Undercommon.

After hearing that the old man is once again being sketchy, she will plan on setting up a blind to observe him, and if he leaves the house, to take a gander at what he's hiding.

Edit: Sorry, and of course, use a short rest in there somewhere to get the ring attuned.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:54, Mon 29 Jan.

Alisandra, are you talking about Tauster? He lives in Thurmaster. You (and everyone else) are currently in Milborne.

Lathan will accompany Jinx and Lucien. Otherwise, no plans.

Oh, right, sorry. I guess the bard's curiosity about the suspicious nature of the man will have to wait. :-)

Hi, DM. I couldn't find this in the ability score/checks/saving throw rules -- does Jack of All Trades add the 1/2 prof. bonus to the saves I'm not proficient in? And does it apply to tools that that I don't have proficiency in (e.g., thieves' tools)? Thank you!

Jack of All Trades does not apply to Saving Throws, but I think it should apply to tool checks. And don't forget that it applies to Initiative checks, too.

You told me that one already -- it's why I have +9 Init bonus :-)

Updated my post, we're good to go.

Do you want to go underground immediately? Or do you intend to rest above ground/in the keep before descending?

Might as well rest, then head down.

Seems fair as Alisandra went out hunting.

I didn't roll terribly well, so hopefully they're fat, inattentive rabbits!

I'm fine either way.

Alisandra did not find any food.

Sylviel, I don't think you ever told me which shift you want to take for keeping watch while the party rests. Here is what we currently have:

First Shift: Lucien & Rissa & Lorrain
Second Shift: Lucien & Lorrain
Third Shift: Lathan & Snagger
Fourth Shift: Lathan & Jinx & Alisandra

I may have missed that but I can take third shift.

No problem. I put you down for the third shift.

Let me know when you're ready to rest and/or if you want to do anything else before going underground.

I'm good to rest and move on.

Ditto.

I don't have too much too add as from an IC perspective this is all playing to Sylviel's suspicions but she doesn't yet have a... grudge against the gnomes considering they're a symptom not the disease lol.

Ready to go.

I’m ready

Ready to go!

I'm happy to track rations, what are we starting with?

I believe Lucien has a list with the total number of rations.

It doesn't matter to me who tracks them.

We have 255 rations in storage plus whatever people have on them.

We should be eating 8 per day right?
This message was last edited by the player at 21:38, Sat 17 Feb.

hopefully, we can find food underground.  If we really can't and run out of ration, Jinx could probably feed everyone with honey and mayonnaise.  Not necessarily the healthiest diet but better than starving.

In reply to Jinx (msg # 97):

Honestly, I'm hoping the gnomes are willing to help out with it. It also isn't something we've paid super close attention to thus far though.

Saying this out of character in case Alisandra wants to revise her last post. The doors in question aren't really part of the keep. They are underground and a decent way into the tunnels at that. If I remember right, we worked out that they were likely underneath the river or thereabouts. So there's no way "around" them as such.

Everyone's characters except Sylviel should be familiar with what Lucien is talking about (understood that players have changed since then).

Thx; updated.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:22, Tue 20 Feb.

Fortunately, my answer doesn't change over much? Lol.

'Twere my intent not to mess up your turn by fixing mine :-)

Alisandra is going to start practicing the flute; her previous player(s) chose bagpipes, horn, and drum for her instrument proficiencies, so I will need to train. Do you use the Xanathar's rules (10 weeks/50 days' effort and 250 gp) or the PH rules (250 days, 1 gp per day)? Is it easier/less time consuming/cheaper for me, since I'm a bard and already musically trained; bagpipes are a finger-keyed instrument like the flute [although in a very different register and the breath management is certainly different]) to suss it out? Can I let a proficiency "expire," i.e., from lack of practice, and swap in flute? Alisandra doesn't OWN bagpipes and probably hasn't done the piper thing since she left the mercenary company.

Guidance/ruling appreciated, thanks!

Because Alisandra's proficiency with the bagpipes has never come up and there does not appear to be any immediate reason for her needing proficiency with the flute, I'm fine with you simply changing the proficiency from bagpipes to flute.

Thanks!

Apologies for a bit of the tardiness. This week has been... special from a work and personal life perspective.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:35, Thu 29 Feb.

I am here!! I am here! Work has been a nightmare so I will be trying to catch up tonight!!

Alisandra, how are you able to see in the dark?

Also, Lucien is the one with the familiar, not Lathan.

I thought Rissa was casting darkvision on me?

Thanks for the clarification about the familiar -- dumb mistake on my part.

I didn't think she knew that spell.

I need 128 experience points and a long rest and then I can!

Ah, again, my bad for not keeping track.

I will amend my turn appropriately. She does not want to go back underground without being able to see without announcing their presence, but I'll say she changed her mind about going back down to where they'd been before. "go deeper underground," in other words.

Apologies everyone, but let me paint you a picture as if this were an in person game: the GM and I have moved away from the table to whisper to each other and I just said 'fuck' loud enough for everyone to hear.

Hahahaha.

DM, if I use my action to cast a spell, can I use my bonus action to fire my hand crossbow (and were I to hit, of course it wouldn't have my stat bonus for damage)?

I didn't post a turn waiting for an answer to my question, but it's moot, I suppose, if they've come into view?

Sorry, I didn't see your question... No, you would not be able to make an attack as a bonus action after casting a spell.

I wasn’t clear - don’t want to attack, just release the light carrying bolt down the tunnel

Do I have any sense that those arrows didn't hit as hard as they should have? There's not much I can do about it, but I'd at least let the rest of the group know.

Alisandra, still no.

Lucien, the damage was less than you expected because Sneak Attack didn't apply.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 120):

Oh, right. Duh. Thanks.

I'm not using the advantage from my familiar's Help action this turn. So that's up for grabs for someone else.

I paused the round, mostly for Sylviel's benefit--the mind flayers are both out of range of the spell you intended to cast (bane). Let me know what you want to do, Sylviel.

Everyone else, hold tight.

Sorry, I'd been left with the impression they had advanced to within 30ft?

Can I advance far enough TO get in range for the spell or how far are they out at this point?

Per my last post, the first one is 65 feet away, and the second is 90 feet away.

Then it's just advancing the line for I with shield ready.

Can you update your last IC post to indicate what you want to do?

Done and done.

How wide is the tunnel we are in?  Can I seal us off from it to buy us some time?

The area between the party and the mind flayer is 160 feet wide.

If the Farie Fire connects, I get to roll with advantage as Jinx goes first.

I'm waiting for Lorrain to post his actions before I proceed. Hopefully, he'll post this weekend.

I know they've been in a rough spot on and off, hope they are well.

Working on a post now. So earlier this week there was a shooting of three police officers by an inmate they were taking to get treatment at another hospital so things have been a bit crazy at the hospital where I work. Like...I just...have no words...

I'm so sorry.

I don't work in a hospital, but I do provide crisis services at a walk-in clinic. I very much get it. Please take all the time you need.

Yes, take care, Lorrain. That sounds traumatic.

It's just one of those things that I just...struggle wrapping my head around...like what purpose does it serve? The only good that I can see that comes from it is that PD and Corrections can coordinate and come up with better protocol to ensure that something like this doesn't happen again.

Metagaming.

It does nothing for my already messed up build from a powergaming standpoint, as I'm sitting on an Int of 10 right now, but I think next level I'm taking Resilient: Intelligence

I don't want to be relying on Favored By the Gods for my Int saves against these things. Having the half feat do nothing hurts, but it hurts a lot less than a +0 to Int Saves.

Everybody hug the Paladin once she hits level 6.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:05, Wed 27 Mar.

Sylviel does not approve of being hugged. Not when she failed her own int save and is currently tanking through the migraine pain lol.

In reply to Rissa Twiceborn (msg # 138):

I don't know what your build looks like overall, but there are also a lot of feats that give a +1 Int and give other benefits. So you could spend a second feat to turn that 11 Int into 12 Int and maybe get something useful out of it.

FYI, you already have two or three people on watch at any given time.

First Shift: Lucien & Rissa & Lorrain
Second Shift: Lucien & Lorrain
Third Shift: Lathan & Snagger & Sylviel
Fourth Shift: Lathan & Jinx & Alisandra

No report from my familiar I presume?

Correct.

Just checking, but we are all aware and can react on our first turns right?

Yes. You all see it as soon as it swoops down.

Alisandra almost certainly went before everyone else --- you guys all might have advantage if the faerie fire worked.

20:44, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 8 using 1d20+6.  If Fairie Fire Works II.

20:44, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 17 using 1d20+6.  If Fairie Fire Works.


Might make a difference!

I gotta remember to use my Action Surge lol. I'm good with a rest if that's what we wanna do.

I'm fine for a short if that's what the majority want. I know Rissa is anxious for a cat nap. :P

Is that the plan, then? Short rest?

Fine with me, although I didn't go through any abilities that a short rest would help. I'm only down a single 1-level spell slot.

As usual, if you use a HD to heal hit points, Alisandra's Song of Rest adds +1d6 to the total (not each HD); she's always happy to play that during short rests. :-)

Also, Sylviel, sorry I assumed no one was hurt -- the DM didn't echo your damage and I thought it had just grabbed you preparatory to eating you.

No worries, it's kind of hilarious because I took damage from it's slam attack and then friendly fire punching through its carcass.

Also I'm in support of a short rest.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:37, Thu 25 Apr.

Heh. At least it wasn't fatal.

A short rest is fine with me.

Short rest!

Sylviel, if 5 didn't completely heal you, don't forget about the Song of Rest, for +1d6.

I flat out forgot about that, I'm not going to lie. Still shy of full HP but I wasn't worried either way.

She played the song - always does at short rests - so w DM blessing, you should have 1d6 o’ healing

I'll try to get a post up some time tonight. I've been dealing with an injured pet these last few days that requires me to disrupt my sleep to tend to them.

Poor baby (the pet)! Hope they heal up well!

We just had to put one of our dogs through surgery to remove the twine she ate half a ball of. She just got out of the restricted-activity pen and (most importantly) the Collar of Shame, and she's her old usual joyous self. The twine didn't do any significant damage to her small intestines, thankfully, as we got her surgery going early enough nothing had tightened up and started using the twine as a saw...