As requested...

To continue from the previous thread... Gnicely is leader.  Runningwolf wouldn't follow this new mage, no matter how powerful.

In other news, I've decided to retain Garm and Bane for now.  I have serious concerns for their survival in this escalating dungeon environment... but there simply isn't time for me to find and train suitable replacement(s).  Shadow I'd keep for RP and noncombat no matter what. ;)

So hopefully Runningwolf's pups won't die; but they'll fight on in the meantime.  With some additional help I'm working on!

Thank you

[Private to Runningwolf: A thought for you. Find the alpha wolf/warg. Cast animal friendship on it. I think that is a ton cooler than my 'nuke them' plan]

I don't think there's a need to throw their lives away.  You could train them to guard the spellcasters or artillery.  They can learn from watching.

Any volunteers willing to act as a decoy to hopefully draw the wargs into the ambush? If not, Elmo will gladly go...

I hate to send an NPC to do a PC's dirty work.

I was thinking I'd be able to use my bow because artillery would be useful tactically, so wasn't sure I was a good candidate.  But I'll go if nobody else wants to (and assuming the others don't want to send Elmo)

I'd go before Elmo ;)

I assumed actually that Runningwolf would go. If it all goes wrong he can just Invisibility to Animals, or Entangle and get away. I doubt if any of the rest of us can say that: I'd be eaten by the wolfs without them breaking into a sweat.

But I'd say any of you big tough humans with lots of armour could do it too.

Gillian has the armor but no ranged weapon.

I assumed we'd want the missile weapons with the traps, to fire as they approach.  Is it better to have a missile firer be the bait?

Any decision on who will act as bait to lure the wolves?

I'll do it if no one else wants to volunteer. I'll post that tomorrow if noone else steps forwards

@plan
Entangles and fireballs then missile weapons

Sucks to be a wolf with Mr Burnes around

Could I remind people that no one is inside the 'trap area'.

The plan is that I lure the wolves into a killing ground. Fireballs and entangles and missile weapons do the work

This is meant to be a slaughter not a fight. It's as far away from being a fair fight as I can possibly make it. If you don't have a missile weapon, don't worry: it won't last long I hope. I am trusting Mr Burnes with his hideous fiery balls of doom, and Runningwolf's entangles will deal with the problem.

Yeah, I envisioned myself outside the zone, hopefully with high ground, firing arrows like mad.

Poor wolves.

While you stated IC we can close, does this mean that missile fire now risks hitting friends, or can missiles continue?

Since missile fire will happen prior to melee, archers can fire again without fear of hitting other PCs. Once PCs close to melee range, standard house rules apply for missile weapons being fired into melee.

If anyone is in a specific location, please include that in your next IC post.

Apologies for being slow over the last week or so. I am back in the states for the holidays. Will try to update soon, but expect to remain slow until about the 5th.

I understand the front of the pack has met our melee line . . . are there targets beyond that to be fired at, either because they are slower or because they are blocked?

Yes. There are three worgs and one wolf behind the melee line (currently entangled by Runningwolf's spell).

If I understand correctly, Gnicely is beyond the entangled creatures.  Can we see her or what she is fighting?  Can we get to her, and if so how long does it take?

I'd love to answer but I'm not sure of distance

You have a whole minute to get there though... so assuming you are strolling you can walk a long way in a minute ;)

Well, I was kinda also wondering if I see something I can shoot at, seeing as I have this bow in my hand. :)

The entanglement spell is affecting a 40 foot diameter area at the entrance of the choke point that the party created to funnel the animals in prior to ambush. PCs can circumvent the area climbing through the obstructions that the party built, but they will not reach Gnicely this round (it will take the full round to reach her).

Runningwolf can "drop" the entanglement, but that would release the entangled animals.

Corwin can fire arrows, but standard rules for missile fire into melee apply.

Might Corwin have a round of missile fire before comrades get into the area?  And does Corwin see the man/creature/etc that has caused Gnicely to call for help?

I'm not in melee with it. Far from it.

They are blind, I'm not, and I'm throwing darts while moving around them

Yes. Corwin can fire arrows before any of the others reach Gnicely.



Wasn't trying to imply that you were, but with people rushing over there a melee may ensue :)

Post 4000! Someone had to get it

So . . . both were-creatures are in melee with Ghalandar/Gillian?

Corwin can fire arrows before the melee begins.

You are correct. I have so rarely played/DMed Monks that I overlooked it. Nice catch!

First time I've ever seen that not be a handicap. Awesome!

Any response to the musician? If not, he will take action, or maybe talk some more.... He does love the sound of his own voice....

I'm sorry I didn't post. Not sure how I missed that... Still *shrug* sorted now

The party knows of two ways into the Temple:

1. Through one of the side doors. The door, which had been warped by Runningwolf's spell, has been reinforced and barred from the inside. Milo could still access the Temple through one of the Windows, or the door could be bashed/broken open (Milo was exploring the area outside the doors when he encountered the shadowy creature).

2. The passage under the guard tower which leads to the area where the wizard was encountered. There is still one passage that was not explored (as seen on the Main Game Map).

Apologies for my (unplanned and unannounced) absence.  Real life went berserk.  Still kind crazy, but trying to catch up.  In the meantime, if my character needs to do anything to further the plot, let me know!

Sorry for not posting, I have a stinking cold. I should be fine in a couple of days

I'll try and do something tomorrow, but if I don't my apologies. (I'm pretty full of medication and alcohol as a way of dealing with the horrible cold)

Gnicely, feel better. :)

Trying to keep up.  This is temporary.  I have hopes of a return to normalcy in the next few weeks.  Again, sorry.

I don't know if these creatures are trolls or what, but I think, as would Gillian, that the party would be better off if these creatures became ashes.

When fighting humanoid-type creatures of the "giant class", listed hereafter, rangers add 1 hit point for each level of experience they have attained to the points of damage scored when they hit in melee combat. Giant classcreatures are: bugbears, ettins, giants, gnolls, goblins, hobgoblins, kobolds, ogres, ogre magi, orcs, and trolls. Example: a 5th level ranger hits a bugbear in melee combat, and the damage done to the opponent will be according to the ranger's weapon type, modified by strength, and +5 (for his or her experience level) because the opponent is a bugbear - a "giant class" humanoid.

OK, just damage then.

Assuming these are trolls. :)

Thanks.

I'm not avoiding the game or anything. Just had a week off work with the flu (not a cold, the whole horrible nasty body wracking version). I should be up to posting tonight or tomorrow.

Sounds like the general plan is to take the western staircase down to the first floor and then return to Romag's chambers. So, looking at Game Map for Group 1, I am thinking that the group would like to follow the purple line to outside of the Temple and then move south past the staircase (near the green yy) and then on to the secret door which leads to Romag's chamber?

Sounds good

That is exactly what I had in mind. Thank you for adding the purple line!

Has the room been searched already?

The party searched the room previously. A quick check reveals that somebody has emptied out the room of any valuables.

I am headed back to the states, so I may be slow for the next couple days. Already had some flight cancellations so I'm already 12 hours behind. Apologies for the delay.

I hope the journey doesn't get any grimmer! See you when you get back

Was the final verdict to keep Elmo, or to only bring Burne?

I updated the Main Game Map. The weirdly shaped thing in the center of the room is the pyramid. One of the creatures is in the center of each of the four 40' x 40' quadrants (NE, NW, SE, SW) if you divided the room into 4 smaller squares.

I believe we kept Elmo.  We acted like it OOC when discussing how to deal with the wargs on the way here (page 2 of the OOC thread)

And we entered from where?

20' wide passage on the Northeast side (since it is the closest entrance from Romag's chamber).

I updated the Main Game Map. Green X party location. Red Xs indicate location of the creatures.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:25, Wed 20 Apr 2016.

The area of effect (3" X 3" square area) will only be able to cover the closest of the creatures. If that is OK, I will resolve the action.

Well I assumed it was a perception based effect. My bad. *shrug* Sure go ahead.

I see what you did there, leaving the choice to me. :)

Yeah. I was kind of busy.

I'm more than a little worried about these creatures, but you are the guy at the sharp end...

No judgment intended.  I just thought it was funny, because I was trying to get you to make the call and you tossed the hot potato back to me.

*laughs* Yes. I was being too polite.

To help with the planning process:

The Temple itself is divided into several different factions, the strongest of which is the Greater Temple. Under the Greater Temple there are four "lesser temples" each dedicated to a different element, Earth, Fire, Water, and Air. There are also several other groups operating in the Temple Dungeons, but Ben doesn't know any specifics. He Typically spends his time in the area controlled by the Earth Temple.

Ben, a member of the Earth Temple, does not know much about the leadership of the other lesser temples, though he is aware that the Greater Temple is under the leadership of Supreme Commander Hedrack (Human Cleric).

The head of the Earth Temple is named Romag (Human Cleric). The forces of the Earth Temple are made up of several priests, two dozen human guards (from which Ben's patrol was part of), and an unknown number of Ogre's, Gnolls, Bugbears and Hobgoblins. Additionally, there is a "Company of Elemental Earth Reavers" which is made up of human fighters and between a half dozen and a dozen Gnolls.

Though he seems hesitant to admit that his own Temple is not the strongest, Ben explains that the Water Temple is the strongest of the lesser temples. He has heard rumors of a possible alliance between the Earth and Fire Temples (against the water Temple).

None of the lesser temples are on very good terms, each vying to win favor with the Supreme Commander (Greater Temple).

Being only a guard (the leader of his squad the man that fled the melee and was subsequently killed by Ghalandar and Corwin), Ben knows little of Earth Temple allies/spies outside of the Temple.

While Ben has not personally been beyond the 2nd level, he is aware that there are at least 4 dungeon levels. The majority of the first level is controlled by the Earth Temple. The second level (moving down) is split among the air, fire, water and greater temples. He believes that the third and fourth levels are both under the control of the Greater Temple.

Apart from messing up with the water (I thought it was on the first level from a misremembered earlier map) that's largely how I remember it

My thoughts are that fire is insane to approach without protection from fire. Water and Air are scary but interesting.

These sentences frighten me (with the most frightening part bolded):

"Though he seems hesitant to admit that his own Temple is not the strongest, Ben explains that the Water Temple is the strongest of the lesser temples. He has heard rumors of a possible alliance between the Earth and Fire Temples (against the water Temple)."

Thank you. I missed that.

So perhaps we could go discuss with the fire. Water is actually dominant over fire, unlike the specious claims in the letter to Romag, so they are probably the ones most in trouble. Perhaps we could try and make a deal with them... I like the idea of talking our way into creating extra friction between the temples and getting them to kill each other off, rather than attacking them head on...

Burne is a competent spell caster, but he always seems to suggest whichever path he views as the easiest. Just FYI

The closest unexplored passage is circled in red on the Main Game Map. Are people happy starting there?

Sounds most reasonable to me.

Sorry, all. Was finishing up some details on my last post when my tablet froze up. My next IC post will be to include some details via PM.

If the screaming is in common . . . can we tell what is being screamed?

And does it sound like torture, anger, ecstacy . . . ?

Torture....horrible screams of agony...

I updated my last post.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:27, Fri 13 May 2016.

Bugbears are large :)

I forgot to write that Gillian's last post was a draft. I had the orcs doing things.

No searching for the potion? Could be an Endless Potion of Healing, if there is such a thing. Is in World of Warcraft, but it never hurts to ask....

Sure. I'm no good at searching, but I asked Milo to search. I'm not going to cry if we don't get it though.

There was also the matter of freeing a gnome prisoner.

Oops

Ah well I suggest we stay as the story is written and go back for the gnome. I'm not a fan of editing if we can avoid it.

I went down the designated hallway to look for the gnome.  Post 431.

Even better *phew*

So maybe we are back with the gnome too. Unless there are any complexities, that would be the simplest

And... we need to chat with him I think.

I also wasn't clear on this: Did you want to try to clear out the undead now, or later?

Later ideally

I'd really like to get our wussy non combatents with hardly any hit points out of the line of fire. The gnome seems a no brainer to get out. But it could all go wrong with the undead... and those non combatants are really fragile.

I could easily be wrong. I forgot about the Gnome for example. I think though 'securing our winnings' is a good thing to do.

sounds good to me

Sorry for being slow. I am in the middle of a move and job change. I hope to update this evening.

no worries boss, that's a lot to deal with. Congrats(I hope both are good things for you)

Is the group resting at the cottage, or heading strait back to the Temple?

IS everyone OK if we head back in, find a 'safe' place and rest up? My reasoning (I gave it IC) is that 'getting in is hard'. They'll set guards again and we'll drain magical energies and hit points just getting past them. If we go back in quickly and rest up,  Burne and I get our magic back and we can continue

I'm also OK going back and not worrying about my magic. We have RUnningwolf on full, and Burnes. But having magic gives me a sense of safety

I am good with this.  At some point, we have to steel ourselves for longer and longer sojourns.  Because I agree: the difficulty factor for entering is apparently increasing.

I'm good with whatever you guys decide. I'm a monk, I don't need much.

Agree on heading back. We will need to keep an eye on safe places to rest in the temple as it will take longer to head back to the surface.

I updated the Main Game Map with the cells north of the torture chamber.

Where is the group going? To the northern staircase, or somewhere else?

I'd like a search for that potion of healing.

And there was talk of dealing with the undead, but it may have been just talk.

I think we should deal with the undead. We could do that before resting. That little area looks a good place to rest as the torturer implied he hadn't had any contact since the earth temple went down.

Is the party bringing the orcs back into the Temple?

Yes

That's part of the quandary I was musing about keeping everyone safe. the women we rescued wouldn't be safe (I think) if we left the orcs alive. I get they are lawful evil and follow orders... but I'd be unhappy risking it. I suspect I'm not alone in that

I'm sorry we didn't do this cleanly... I'll try and define more carefully what is happening at scene changes. I don't like 'moving people' but I think it would be a lot simple if I just did that and then got people to object if I mess it up

I agree. Leaving the orcs alone with the two women wouldn't be the noblest of decisions.

The party has previously searched the current room. The undead are reportedly in the eastern cells (3 unopened doors in the hall north of the torture chamber). There is also another unexplored door farther down the passage opposite a smaller staircase.

Final clarification. Does the group still want Elmo to be with them? If not, he will have departed from the cottage and gone to see his brother in Nulb (perhaps even escorting the former prisoners).

I have no problem with either scenario, just want to make sure before we get to deep in the Temple.

As I recall Elmo, yes.

What Gillian said

Gillian gives the sign for Richard to open the door.

Elmo's welcome as far as Runningwolf (and his pack) are concerned.

I like Elmo.

OK. Elmo stays.

If there are no objections, I will resolve the next two zombie rooms as well. Since they automatically loose initiative, they don't really stand a chance.

College classes from 10 to 3 with a break for lunch and the Easy A right afterward.

No objection.

Everyone can move and attack during the surprise round.

Any preference in which way the party explores first, or should I just let the dice roller decide?

Sorted. My bad: I should have posted

Thanks.

Ranger.  But I'm sure the sentiment is the same. :)

Oops. Sorted

Since the group composition has changed, are there any updated to the SOP? Who is searching for traps? Updated marching order?

I have 'find traps' running at the moment. So I suggest I am second. Where Elmo usually would be. That also allows me to blast spells in a cone at the front (when I get magic back)

Elmo and Ghalandar would be sensible in the second line

Does that sound good?

Burne (and any other volunteers as more people looking increases the odds ) will search for secret doors.

Main Game Map updated with secret door location.

From The Magician's Nephew (Chronicles of Nania) Wiki:

CharnBell
The Charn Bell was a small, golden bell, found in the Hall of Images on the now dead world of Charn. It was what awoke the former empress of Charn, Jadis, from her enchanted sleep.
Description

The Charn Bell was a magical bell, which hung from a little golden arch, fixed on top of a small, square pillar that was about four feet high.  There was also a small, golden hammer, which lay beside it, for people to strike the bell with.

On the pillar was an inscription that read:

    Make your choice, adventurous Stranger;
    Strike the bell and bide the danger,
    Or wonder, till it drives you mad,
    What would have followed if you had.

OK you sold me

Let's go South

I remember what happened when the bell was rung

Are we in melee range, or no?

How easy is it to get through the door?

Those who want to can get into melee range and attack this round.

Busy week at work. Will hopefully update on Sunday. Apologies for the slow down.

Main Game Map updated.

Thanks

The funny Z shaped room that we are in.. is it 'corridor N and S' or 'end of room at the N and S'

End of room at the North and South.

You weren't wrong when you said it was 'a funny shaped room'. Mind you it's candidate number one for 'search for secret doors' as it's shape is just 'huh???'.

If there are no objections, Burne will unleash his Fireball...

Go blast! I'm really busy today or I'd have posted. I should be fine tomorrow

No, no, no! Gillian want to rush in and execute his Pratfall Maneuver!

Main Game Map updated with Feldrin's recollection of Level 3. I put both levels on the same map. Hopefully it is not too confusing.

Worked well for me. Gosh that's a ton of info. Needs a lot of thinking about

I'll ask some more questions tomorrow

And I'm loving the chat! It's nice doing actual RP in a dungeon crawl!


All things being equal I'll try and move us on tomorrow though. I was about to post the 'we should do this, what do you think' when I got hijacked.

Has the party given Burne access to items in the Treasure Chest? Not to take things for himself, of course, but to have seen (have knowledge of) some of the unique items within (golden skull, small shrine, etc).

Didn't we originally 'hire' him to do that? We had an IC scene where we asked him to do that if I recall correctly.

You are correct. Looking back, the party did show Burne the skull.

My last IC post is not intended to rush the group. Milo said that he was searching a few posts back, but I never posted the results.

@red circle
Yup. Exactly there. Gives us a chance to put some distance between us and Mr Poor and Unlamented Feldin's friends
This message was last edited by the player at 16:38, Mon 05 Sept 2016.

Sounds good. Bringing Feldrin with you?

Yes. I'd kill him here but that might cause angst, and we might be under attack at any time. So we'll wait until we have free time.

Sorry I miswrote the above. I meant 'Feldin's friends'. Editing it

This statement makes me question what I thought I understood.  Is there a "Temple Sigil" affiliated to this place as a whole as opposed to one of the individual temples?  If not, then doesn't any livery we wear affiliate us with one temple or the other and risk indicating our alignment to that temple's foes?

Not that this isn't a reason to do it; if we are unadorned we are foes to all, but if we wear somebody's sigil then at least we appear to be friends to that temple (and that temple's allies).

Greater Temple: According to Feldrin, Emissaries of the Greater Temple bear the colors and identification symbols of the Greater Temple (black garb and golden skull, or a grinning horned skull, or an eye of fire).

Feldrin, and his men, were in all black (Feldrin's cloak and necklace both had horned red skulls).

The men encountered at the Moathouse near Hommlet all wore the eye of fire.

Earth Temple: Guards each wear chain mail armor, a brown surcoat with a black triangle sewn upon it, and a shield covered in brown leather, whose boss is also a triangular metal device.

The other three lesser temples: While the group has not encountered anyone from any of the other three temples, it would be safe to assume that they would be attired similarly to the earth temple, but wearing the own colors and sigils (not brown).

Hopefully this helps?

We've raided the Earth Temple and killed a lot of baddies. Do we have Earth Temple gear?

Nobody had posted about collecting Earth Temple garments, but we can say that they gathered gear after fighting the Earth Temple guards. All are human sized.

Party ready to rest and recover spells?

Ghalandar has recovered his spells lol

One of these days I'll get you to play a spell caster. Lol

Has anyone been through The Red Hand of Doom (3e adventure)?

Not I. I see that it has a Wikipedia entry, and I read it's appropriate for levels 5-12 or so and could take months to complete...I assume face-to-face. Manual is 128 pages. The little voice said, "Go ahead and read on," but I didn't.

It gets ranked pretty high in various greatest adventures of all time lists...along with some other adventures that I have never heard of before. I missed out on most of the 3e-4e stuff.

http://www.enworld.org/forum/c...-Modules-Of-All-Time

I think that, though the modules are for different editions, one could adapt them for any edition.

Played it using 4th edition. Good adventure but depends on the party build.

Nope. Not even read the wikipedia entry.

I've done a load of the 2nd edition modules, but mostly stopped playing modules ages ago. It's quite nice to come back to them!

Treasure Chest Updated.

The Cloak (the color of midnight) will magically resize to fit the wearer. This is true of most magical garments (gloves, boots, rings, cloaks). The exceptions are those items that are specifically sized in the description (the cloak of elvenkind is one such example).

Magical armor can be altered to fit any size but will require a skilled master and some time for the work to be accomplished.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:37, Sun 11 Sept 2016.

Ready to move on? I believe that Gnicely's suggestion was to return to the 2nd level and explore the northern part.

Everyone please update spell lists.

I'm updated. Cool if you move us

Can I suggest people yell out if they want things.

If no one really wants the dagger, I'll carry it

Oh yeah . . . my silence indicates willingness to defer to others.  Nothing in there screams out "ranger!"

None of the guards are physically on the stairs. They are all in the hallway at the base of the stairs.

For relative positions see Game Map for Group 2. Hopefully it makes things a little clearer (bandits are "x"s and the larger stone throwers are the two "L"s.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:02, Sat 17 Sept 2016.

Very helpful thank you

I'll wait for the others to respond (especially Burns: I don't know what magics he has)

Guys, with great regret, I'm going to have to bow out.

Love the game, the players and the GM.  But my father's in hospice, and I just can't keep up with as many games as I used to.

Apologies, and I wish you all well!

In reply to Runningwolf (msg # 158):

My sympathies.  I wish you and your family well.

best wishes Runningwolf.

Yes, a hard time.

Oh gosh. We will miss you Running Wolf

Please remember that if things get better you can always come back

Like the others I wish you well, and you have my deepest sympathies. I am going through that now with my father in law, and it's really tough

Sorry to hear about your father. Sad to see you go. There's always a place for you in one of my games.

Thanks gang.  I hope to return when things get better, but we're in a holding pattern, and there's no definite date.

Again, my apologies, and best wishes.

Sorry to hear it. Find someone to talk to so the stress does not eat at you.

If Corwin was supposed to go to the eastern giant, let me know. Somehow I thought he was going the other way. If I was wrong, I'll update.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:02, Wed 28 Sept 2016.

It's cooler this way. Probably better than I had in mind.

There is this thing called 'the fog of war'! and it gets us all

Have to say I am absolutely delighted that this worked so well.

Gosh I'm glad you did that Gillian. I think the next round I had about 10% chance of death... which is pretty scary when it comes down to it.

I thought this was very funny.

Just to clarify:





So, only Bugbears and Ogres in the prison.

The Ettin (and whatever else) is near the main doors to the Temple (on the surface where the group entered the Temple).

My bad... I'll edit.

Where does the group want to rest?

In case the group wants to press, the Fireball will probably take out any bugbears and ogres in the prison.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:08, Mon 24 Oct 2016.

I'm a bit distracted with work this week.  Sorry.

Where Feldrin used to live is probably good. We can drag the bodies there (there look to be several rooms). I get the feeling that the members of the other temples weren't welcome there. If we are really lucky an emissary from the outer temple might turn up, but I suspect Feldrin mainly went to them...

@Corwin
Hi! Hope things aren't too grim

Nope.  Just a work thing.  Should be over Thursday, Friday at the latest.

@Answering GM's question
Resting up (Only Burnes and I need to sleep I think) while we prepare unless someone speaks up IC.

It'll be another day before Gillian can lay on hands.

I don't need rest, but I'm somewhat dinged . . . I suppose all healing is exhausted at the moment?

Nope. I'll heal people before we settle down for resting. I have (I think) about 6 CLW's which is 40+ hps back.

In reply to Gnicely (msg # 179):

OK, thanks.  I'm only down 12.  And I don't need rest per se, as I don't have spells.

Yet. :)

Burne casts detect magic on the collected items prior to resting. The following items have a magic aura:

Dagger
Ring made from a dark metal

Treasure Chest updated.

If Milo has a magical weapon 'bagsy the dagger'. If we are going against the 'wolves', I'd like something that actually has a chance of working. If anyone else wants it, I'm at the tail end of the priority list: it's a very 'backup' weapon for me

There are two magical daggers in the treasure chest. Right now the following PCs have magic weapons:

Corwin (long sword)
Gillian (2-handed sword "moonbane")
Milo (short sword)

I'd probably give one dagger to Ghalandar and the other to Gnicely, so that all of the PCs have something to use, at least for the time being. Then later, whenever the group decides to divvy up treasure, the party can figure out who gets to keep what.

That sounds really sensible

Agreed.

I'm confused.

The elf and her kin have identified themselves, and we have freed them.

But what of the non-elf prisoners?  I didn't interpret her response as indicating that they are with the Countess, hence my question to them.

The two humans have introduced themselves.



Leaving only the half-orc.

The half-orc is a new PC, but we are still working out some of the details of his background. In the meantime, everyone can welcome Taroth to the game.

Welcome, Taroth.

Hi Taroth!

The party rescued four prisoners, escorting them to the abandoned cottage in the forest north of the Temple. They consisted of a man-at-arms, two human females, and a gnome.

That's what I thought. I wasn't 100% certain it wasn't last trip though. Gosh we will be quite an entourage on the way back

hello everyone sorry I didn't realize I had been ignoring the ooc posts

I'm going to experiment a bit with colors for speech ic till I settle on one that seems to have the feel of the character sorry if it is distracting it wont take me long to settle on one

It just struck me how much the denizens of the temple must hate us by now.

You know I think most won't know about us. It's a crazy place. Each temple is at war with the others. They are probably still more worried about each other than us, and probably want to work out how they can 'use' us to get at the others. That's my reading of the place anyway

Most of the people we've killed... well the Earth temple was the weakest, so no one would regard us as a serious threat just because we smashed that especially since we haven't actually desecrated the altars and the temple itself. Brunk and Feldrin's people ... well they were just raiders, and the temples would as soon attack them as give them the time of day, so they may not actually realise they are dead

These prisoners though... that's going to piss off the water temple. So I don't think we should try and be 'friendly' with them!

My hope would be we can get one of the temples to help us fight the other temples. I've been wanting that for ages, but frankly felt just too wussy to go into the tables. Hopefully we can level up and I'll feel less wussy!

That was the thought that prompted my prior post.

I find that in d&d games npc's have to either love you or hate you
it's very rare to have other options

Sorry, after starting work a month ago and my desktop on the fritz, I have not been checking the boards as often as I would like. If I do, then I get bogged down on other things. Was able to fix the desktop and hope to post more often (I like using a tablet but it sucks when you need to type something)

We all have times like that!

Can you look at post 800?

Should I assume the shortest possible route to the surface (for Milo's scouting)?

Sounds sensible

Thanks. I'll move us along this afternoon once I finish work.

being you are a thief it works out to have you quiet tho...

Can we?  I thought it had a limited number of uses per day.

I am assuming that the group rested for 4-6 hours to regain spells. If it was longer, let me know.

If the intent is to turn into a bat and then scout:



Edit: Keep in mind that for somebody to scout ahead, the door to the main area of the temple will have to be opened (which may or may not be noticed).
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:02, Fri 11 Nov 2016.

I guess people don't like Burne's suggestion about where the holy water came from?

How many priests have we rescued? Then again they might be taken straight to the inner temple

I don't know if that explains it anyway: you see holy water isn't something priests carry around much, or at least not real world/historically. Certainly I can't imagine carrying any around. And we've recovered loads of it. Almost as though they are making it

Actually I think it's just 'loot the module designer thought would be good'. It's a shame holy water is so rubbish against undead: it would be nice if it was actually worth carrying around.

I assume if you go to quench an unholy fire you'd use holy water...

It is the material component for several Cleric spells, so hopefully you have some...lol

Damage isn't great, but if you don't have silver/magic weapons, it can be useful. It can also be used to slow poison.

Not saying that they aren't making it themselves, though....

is each item of holy water the same type container?

The first batch of holy water (7 vials) were discovered in the Moat House (which, as Gnicely suggested, was probably by design to help out a low level party as T1 was for a first level group.)

The holy water from the storeroom (14 vials) are in several different types of vials (at least 5 different types). None of the gear recovered there was new, all of the equipment having been used previously to some extent.

Apologies for being slow. I hope to move the action forward tomorrow.

your posts are well worth it!

in my ooc mind the extra vials then were almost certainly looted treasure from other victims

if they were making it themselves I'd think they would get a standard sized container

not necessarily but it'd be likely I think

Not in medieval times actually. There's no mass production, except perhaps for pottery... and even there it was mostly China I think that went in for mass production of similar styles. Glassware is all unique, and the most common container for liquids is probably leather lined with pitch. All handmade

Anyway I think we have this. The different types of water are a real clue: different priests

The party can easily block the single door and windows of the cottage using the table and some lumber found in the barn.

Besides setting a watch (2 people on at a time?) and Runningwolf setting snares, is the group doing anything else before resting?

what's the overall temperature like? I saw in the description there was a hole in the loft area but I know we might not be able to deal with that without altering the area and alerting someone to our presence but we run the same risk if we have to make a fire to avoid freezing

while the nights are a tad bit cooler, the overall temperature is quite comfortable.

Is the party going to Nulb first to collect their horses from Otis (Elmo's brother), or strait to Hommlet? The two merchants (former prisoners) are also from Nulb.

Nulb:
The village of Nulb is filthy, ramshackle, and still fairly active despite the destruction of the Temple. The buildings are of turf, mud brick, crudely hewn logs, and old timbers from boats. One or two have stone foundations and proper boards, but even these are in need of repair. The inhabitants of the village are boatmen, fishers, herdsmen, farmers, and the like. It is apparent that no one manages to make much of a living in Nulb, and as it is such a poor place, it is generally ignored by lords and bandits alike.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:25, Wed 16 Nov 2016.

 My preference is straight to Homlet. The problem with Nulb is that it is an unknown, and for all we know full of baddies. It is remarkably close to TEE, and if there aren't informants and agents there I'll eat my helmet. Given we have a lot of non combatants with us, including a countess, I'd like to just head for known safety.

We haven't been to Nulb before have we? If not I think 'the devil we know' is the safest route.

I don't need to be so safe when we don't have the duty of care.

The party has been to Nulb previously. It is dirty, run down and frequently visited by pirates and bandits.

Even Otis, who runs the smithy, warned the party about Nulb, saying:

If we can we'll need that warning. Let's just get the countess and the others back to homlet safely.

I updated xp for all of the PCs. A couple of people gained a level.

[Private to Gnicely: I also included the xp bonus for playing in the game for over two years]
[Private to Gillian: I also included the xp bonus for playing in the game for over two years]
[Private to Ghalandar: Ghalandar gained a level. I will help you level up.]

Entering from the west or the east?

[Private to Dungeon Master: Gillian has advanced a level, 5 to 6. As far as I can tell, the only change is that he rolls a d10 for hit points.]

East. Updated my post. Thanks.

sorry I'd love to post today, but just too busy IRL. Should be fine tomorrow.

RPOL was down for me all last night. I'll post tonight if it's still up

I've been having the same issues. Could barely get on at all yesterday.

Happy Thanksgiving to those in the "new world"!

Edit: Unless people are against it, I will have the party exchange some of their items at the Hommlet money changer, so everyone can have some walking around money for supplies.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:15, Thu 24 Nov 2016.

rpol does that for me from time to time as well :o(

@Money
sounds great to me !

Does the group wish to sell either of these items:

The reddish wood box is an unfolding shrine, inlaid with gold, with a black interior upon which is inlaid a silver spiderweb, mother-of-pearl stars, and a garnet orb. As the doors of the shrine unfold, an ebony statuette rises from a cavity in the base to stand before the web. The statuette has six spider legs, but the foremost are those of a human or elf, complete with hands. More gruesome still, the face of an black skinned elven female peers from a position between the great staring sets of spider eyes in the head. On the bulging abdomen are four spinnerets. (6,000 gp).

An exquisite piece of jewelry, made with matched fire opals on a gold chain and settings with diamond chips (15,000 gp).

Quick check 'detect magic' before we say 'yes'

Haha. Neither are magic.

Follow up question (unrelated). When the party returns to the Temple, I am assuming that they want Burne to accompany them? What about Elmo and Runningwolf? My preference would be to bring only one of the two. The other would remain in Hommlet to assist Jaroo (Druid) and the militia in keeping the town safe.

freaking Drow

The party can also destroy the shrine.

Or I could sell it.

 'gruesome?' I like spiders. As far as I know LLoth isn't public knowledge, and unless it detects as magic it's just someone's idea of art. Clearly fantastical as there are obviously no dark skinned elves! Well known fact.

If it showed as evil or magic that's different, but other than that... well I don't like most art I see in church's personally...

If it is evil I suggest we carefully take it to pieces and sell the bits that aren't evil. Evil things like that re-entering commerce is almost a sacred rite for Gnicely. Wanton destruction would be a sin. Careful separation of things of value from things of evil is almost a religious necessity

You are correct. During this time period in Greyhawk, Lloth and Drow are not common knowledge.

The group can sell it in pieces.

I will total up all of the valuables and give everyone a share shortly.

IIRC the 'against the giants' is when the Drow are introduced

Yup.

I added everyone's shares to their character sheets.

[Private to Taroth: Taroth got a partial share.]

Tell you it would be fun in a few years when we have crushed the inner temple to carry on against the giants with the same characters...

I'll continue for as long as people want to play :)

Assuming that the party is going after the Fire Temple next, Runningwolf is probably the better choice. So, barring any objections, I will have Elmo stay in Hommlet.

I like Elmo's simple enthusiasm, but a Druid is way way more useful!

Plus, there's always the hope that he returns to play.

What you said Corwin. Doubled.

So... sorry for being slow to post. Real life got incredulously hectic. I just rolled a natural 20 on my 'business skill' though and dug us out of a very nasty hole coming out smelling of Roses. I'm celebrating (and shaking with nervous energy) at the moment, but should be posting tomorrow

My cunning plan is simple:

• We do a service of thanksgiving for the life of these two brave priests
• We go back and ambush the returning raiders
• We go and trash the three remaining lesser temples
• We come back and level up again

yah real life gets in the way you know

Yup. And of course with lots of people in a game, real life is always getting to at least one person.

I've never had to eat Brain Masala as part of a business negotiation before.... I'm still working out what I thought about it... Still it all worked out

OK it turns out to be hard to write stirring speeches... so .. .well my character is better at it than I am ;)

Does everyone have  magical weapon? I 'lent' mine to Taroth (the dagger). I think we should all have one.  I'd like the mace, if there are no strong takers for it, but I'm just as cool with other people getting it.

The Amulet wants to be taken by someone most likely to need it. That strikes me as either our scout, or one of our more obvious melee combatants. Long term I'd like it, but I'd be cool waiting until we get other stuff. It's the kind of thing a merchant priest needs 'only money' we say when people try their Jedi Mind Tricks on us. (Mind you  I can do the Jedi Mind Tricks now... this level was really good for me).

Corwin has an enchanted long sword.

The rest of these magic items are being carried but have not been officially distributed:
Gillian (2 handed sword)
Ghalandar (dagger)
Gnicely (dagger)

Leaving Runningwolf and Taroth without a magic melee weapon. If Gnicely takes the mace then Taroth can use the dagger.

Up to you Taroth. The mace sucks as a weapon compared to say a two handed weapon, but if you want to use it: go do. Otherwise keep the dagger as a back up in case you need it.

Yup. Will fast forward shortly. Just knocking out some housekeeping items first. If people need supplies, stuff from the PHB is available (from the Traders) at standard prices.

sorry guys I was being quiet because I thought we all split up when we got to the town I didn't realize we were together the entir time

as far as mace vs dagger Taroth is proficient with the footmans mace but not with daggers, having said that I'm sure he can figure out which end is sharp for the dagger and being a Warrior type has a relatively light penalty for non proficiency as well as considering he didn't have a magic weapon before he would be happy to go with either but he is proficient with mace so either way

Apologies. Got called back to work just as I was starting the new thread. Hope to continue with a few more posts later tonight/tomorrow morning.

it's tough being the dependable guy at work, Iknow

At Taroth: You pick. If you'll use the mace most of the time, do that. We can swap later. If you wouldn't use it, then just carry the dagger as a backup weapon

Iuz was the number one bad guy in a long long compaign I played in. Gosh this really is a blast from the past!

DM I don't have the book handy, but don't my hands eventually act as magic items? If so, someone else can have the dagger, since I like fancy curved swords anyway :)

I'm thinking we are likely to raid three temples in the near future and maybe use that scroll of protection from elementals to finish the earth temple looting... all in all we might have a surfeit of loot soon... or be dead...

In reply to Gnicely (msg # 257):

I guess it depends on how good the Mace is, Taroth Spec in Bastard Sword so unless it's +2 or better I'm better off normally using the Sword

Keep the sword, use the dagger as a backup in case we meet 'needs magical weapons to be hit'

I'll go with the mace. It has an emotional attachment as well, as it was given by a dead person who I respected.

By the book. No.

Not sure if this changed in later editions.

[Private to Ghalandar: With Ghalandar's high dex he could use the sword and the dagger at the same time (two weapon fighting). He would be -2 to hit with the dagger, but it would let him do a little more damage each round.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:53, Sat 10 Dec 2016.

Not until third edition AFAIK.

My second every character that I played for over twenty years in the same campaign was a monk and dual classed into Kensai from oriental adventures after I got to be grand mistress of flowers. That was the only way to do it more third AFAIK

The GM can of course give out magic gloves or wristbands or amulets that do the same thing.

Just had a chat with the GM. Will take me time to post but we are setting up an ambush. We'll go to north tower and check it out. We have about four hours spare

I have an ambush plan, but feel free to come up with a better one.

Runningwolf left his pack (dogs/wolves) with Elmo. The only animal companions present are the two giant weasels.

Yup. I meant his pack of weasels. Weasels have an awesome sense of smell: it's their primary sense.  If you have one as a familiar IIRC (away from books right now) you get a good sense of smell yourself

can I tie the knife to a long stick to make it a spear :o)

I doubt it very much! Well yes but you be at minuses from the impromptu nature and poor balance if I was GMing... and it would be rubbish at thrusting which is the point of a spear.

Being serious the important part of the spear is how the blade is attached firmly. Depending on the structure of the blade (how it's attached to its handle and whether the magic is in the handle or the blade or the gestalt), you could do something. Maybe

Re: Monks and hands -- in early editions, we relied on the benevolence of DM's to make bracers or gloves that granted magic bonuses with fists.

Taroth is not exactly a WeaponSmith

Sorry about my seeming absence, which was an actual absence.  Things came up, but they have died down.  All is well.

Welcome back

And ... gosh ... that was a brutal ambush. *shudders* glad the bad guys didn't do it to us
And that's just the surprise round

what is the Knife btw?

Not sure what you mean by the knife (test sucks sometimes so just being precise)

If you mean the dagger. You have it. I have the mace

I know, what I mean is it's magic but what is it's enchantment

Absolutely no idea. We don't know that stuff for half our gear. Mr GM might tell you if use it in a fight

Gillian had a sword at the leader's throat. If the leader tired to escape, Gillian probably would have attacked.]


hey my understanding was we couldn't get in to the area where they were unless we went in and got engangled as well?

also I had been maneuvering to get in front of where they were trying to go, so amI between them and the tree line or did I not make it that far?
This message was last edited by the player at 06:10, Wed 21 Dec 2016.

They were all 'caught' in an entanglement. Most of them failed their save and were caught. Of the ones that moved Burne held the guy in plate mail (hurrah!) leaving a desultory few still trying to run.

If the guy in plate was the leader... well he's not moving right now!

The GM said if you could move at 12' you could have caught up with them. I don't think you can head them off but I might be wrong. Remember they caught us by surprise (well strategic surprise): We weren't in position or anything

Didn't realize that Gillian wanted to enter the Entanglement spell's area of affect. If this is the case, roll a save vs magic. If he makes it he is slowed, but can attack the man in plate (if that is who Gillian deems to be the leader). If he fails the save, Gillian is entangled.



I'll let the dice decide. If the party wins initiative (I roll group initiative/single die for each side), Taroth can melee one of the bandits, but if they win initiative, they will act first and be out of range. Otherwise, he (and anyone else with a slower movement rate) can use missile weapons to attack.

[Private to Gnicely:

Gnicely:

The GM said if you could move at 12' you could have caught up with them. I don't think you can head them off but I might be wrong. Remember they caught us by surprise (well strategic surprise): We weren't in position or anything

You are correct, but I'll give the melee types a chance of joining in, so it isn't just the spell casters having all the fun. Hopefully some of them clue in and use their bows.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:35, Thu 22 Dec 2016.

I'm ill at the moment. Probably not posting for a frw days. Just imagine I stay invisible

hope you feel better

that sounds reasonable I actually am a bit out of practice I'm not sure what  my movement rate is

Thanks. It's just miserable right now. And my IQ drops to my shoe size. *bleh* as my kids say

[Private to GM: just read your private line. sure! I'm all for ignoring minor map details to make it more fun

I think this showed just how deadly druids can be in the great outdoors quite well!
]

Base movement rate for someone wearing Plate mail is 6". Feel free to roll to hit/damage. Once everyone declares actions, I will roll initiative and resolve the round. If you prefer, I can also make your rolls. It's totally up to you.

I can roll now but it seems odd I mean if you roll initiative and I can't catch them there is no point in what my roll would be
I'd hate to waste an awesome roll!
*supersticious*

If there are dogs/wolves, they can catch up to and delay the baddies.

By rolling at the same time as declaring actions IC, it speeds up the process. Once I roll for initiative, I resolve the round and in doing so make rolls for any PCs who have not done so already.

hmm ok but I might suffer heartbreak if I get a natural 20 then never get to do anything
sorry for being away for a few days , xmas

Don't worry. The dice roller never gives PCs natural 20s. Lol

No worries. I've been slow myself due to the holiday.

Wow that was the cold from hell. Still mostly over now apart from the coughing.

I actually got 2 natural 20's in 3 rounds of combat in antoher dnd game
*no jinx*

this bad guy has a name similar tomine! maybe we are related

Curses. I was negligent and didn't think this through. I didn't actually expect to get more than one or two captives, and didn't think about the prisoners.

Are you OK Mr GM moving us out of this scene and moving us to the cottage. We can do a couple of rounds of chat there, maybe more if people are enjoying the RP, and 'deal' with the captives and prisoners. (Very different means of the word 'deal' for the two groups) Hopefully we can get back before the 'few hours' are up for the expected time of arrival of the raiders.

so what of the 3 armors are magic? Taroth is already in Plate but if the Plate the bad guy was wearing is noticeable in some way it would make sense to use it to help infilatrate the temple.

Only the potions and three arrows are magical I think. I think plate needs fitting to you unless it's magical.

My plan though is to have illusions that look like these people approach the temple and ask to be let in. Don't have time for another invisibility, but some of us are still invisible.

arrows I thought he said armors sorry!
let me edit my post

*laughs* Yeah I've made similar. Wish it was armour.

now that I have my shortbow back tho I might make good use of the magic 'arrows'

The joys of being a paladin....

Please remember we are not playing a 20th century game. We are actually tasked with dispensing Justice. That's why we went to the Duke last time. We aren't a bunch of adventurers clearing out a Temple we are legally appointed by the Duke and by two churches. I have the paper work and everything.

The norms of medieval life are that there are no prisons. That's because a community cannot afford the prisons. Punishment is typically brutal and severe. Maiming is a common penalty for minor crimes. Death is common for major ones (like human sacrifice and gathering prisoners to feed them alive to the undead)

Trial by Jury as we understand it is a 17th century or so institution. There are weaker forms of it starting in the 13th century but they would be unrecognisable to us, and the nearest we could do it would be 'us being the Jury'.

As for Paladins... Cuthbert is also known as the Law Bringer. He dispenses Justice. Which in these era includes capital punishment almost as the norm for anything serious.

I've only cut this short because we've had this scene before, and resolved it by going to the Duke (when he immediately just killed all our prisoners: entirely in genre and what would happen). We need a way that we can proceed with the game. Gnicely is not willing to let the prisoners go (she honestly believes that would be a sin too great for her to possibly atone for.  Prison isn't acceptable either for the reasons given IC. Imagine how we would feel if we make Homlet a huge target and the forces of Iuz come to rescue these people. Plus there isn't enough food to feed them

So I'm appealing to you to remember that we aren't in a modern game, and that we aren't just a bunch of adventurers. We really have been tasked with the Duty to sort this place out by all the legal authorities: church and state. We've caught a bunch of people red handed. The penalty for their crime really is death in this world.

How many prisoners do we have?  And I presume they currently are tied and lined up or huddled in a mass where we've deposited them?

They are 'well bound' with Running wolf looking after them. Pre being well bound they had hobbles on their feet and were coffled. I imagine well bound means that their hands are tied too

As far as numbers go... I think it's over a dozen, but I'm not sure of the exact numbers

There are 9 bandits (1 in plate, 2 in chain and 6 in leather), and 6 farmers.

please remember I'm playing a good aligned character and we have a Paladin in the group.

also I don't mean to nitpick but can't Paladins detect evil? I would think if they were inherently evil he could tell or is that only in 3.5?

Detect evil doesn't work well against low level NPCs:


This message was last edited by the GM at 22:23, Thu 05 Jan 2017.

Has the group outlined what the bandits have to do in order to be spared?
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:58, Thu 05 Jan 2017.

No. But I think one of them might start talking. Might not make a difference though. Probably means no taking prisoners (unless the case is unusual) in the future.

True, and I am aligned good as well . . . but "good" is not universally defined, and I am not one who endorses the Dudley Do-Right view.

Taroth's player has decided to leave the game.

Hmmm.

Wonder why.

Seemed like his views on good/evil were different and, as the new guy, didn't want to be the cause of inter-party issues.



Not sure that anyone has actually asked any of the bandits any questions. I was assuming that the current conversation was being held out of earshot from them.



Who is actually going to perform the execution?
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:12, Mon 09 Jan 2017.

I'm sorry I've been incommunicado for the last week. Real life issues bit me quite hard. I'll be able to post tonight

I think Gillian has said he's willing, but it may be better if he stays invisible.

Corwin is willing, but is awaiting any response to the offer to say final words.

OK I've just had a week of hell and been unable to even log onto RPOL. I missed all the posts above in IC.

Firstly I'd like to say that I'm really really sorry to have caused problems for Taroth and perhaps the rest of you.

I did think 'there was no over credible option' and more that it wasn't actually evil at all: The law of the land has to be enforced by someone and we'd already gone to see the Duke over this very point, and we are those enforcers. Where it becomes evil (in my view) is when we do that without utter belief in the guilt of the people, and when we perform the executions with rage or hatred or similar in our hearts. In this case we know that they were caught red handed in the act of mass murder and kidnap with the intent of feeding their captives alive to undead and sacrificing them on altars.

All of which doesn't matter if the game becomes unpalatable for people. Even though we are role playing medieval characters our own sense of right and wrong is very 21st century. As an example of that is our understanding of the rights and wrongs of trial by jury. In medieval times they were few and far between and the very few ones that existed empowered the jury to go be a private detective and do their own inquires. In our own world the jury are prohibited from doing that and are fed data from the prosecution and defense with the judge telling them what they can and can't take into consideration: a far cry from the 'go and work out who is guilty' of medieval times.

Personally I love throwing myself into a character that isn't me, in a time that isn't now and has a different sense of right and wrong (although I only every play goodies with compassion: I suck and don't enjoy playing anything I actually feel is an evil character). One of the examples of that was earlier (before we went to the Duke) when I proposed to do what the medieval people actually did to people guilty of crimes: we'd do a public hanging, have a street party so that people could have a public holiday, dress up and bring their kids to see the hanging and we'd make a vast profit on the street food and snacks that we could sell. That 'culture shock' aspect I enjoy RPing out.

So that was all a monologue of me justifying why I wrote what I did. That justification was clearly not compatible with other people's sense of right and wrong, or good or evil.

I should conclude by saying that if anyone has an even half way 'not idiotic' plan for what to do with the prisoners I will withdraw all my previous IC issues and do it. Personally I think after this RP we should execute them, but I'm just as fine now with anything else for out of game reasons.

A sticky issue if we (characters) want to interrogate prisoners. However, we characters were given full authority. So...those who work for the temple are, on the face of it, convicted of an executable sentence unless we find extenuating circumstances. So, It's probably going to be "take no prisoners" unless there's a quick surrender and a tearful confession or such. In the case of the leader who's prisoner now, I'm thinking he's an evil-side knight from his "I yield."

In short, Gnicely has in the main persuaded me.

Figured I'd keep it quick and concise, so the group can move forward.

Those who know Gillian, who...while a paladin...can be sly, suspect that the pleader may divulge information to stay his execution...which will happen.

Once again sorry for being slow. Things stacked up in real life. And then I poured a cup of coffee over my laptop... so this is from my phone.

Understandable. Busy weekend for me and a 12 hour day yesterday

Sorry for being slow. Busy week at work.

As far as I know, none offered a reasonable defense, express3ed true remorse, or volunteered information. So I think they're all dead.

@GM's question

All are dead except the the three we are taking with us. (as per msg #64).

We want to investigate the ones in heavy armour. Runningwolf can charm them, and we can ask them questions, but I think we are out of time.  'We' or rather the raiders are expected back at a particular time, and I think it just takes too long to ask them questions out here: we'd miss the window.

Originally I was hoping they would arrive: we would beat them up, then we'd beat the people set to let them into the temple in one operation. That meant less prisoner handling problems. Still we are here now.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:53, Sat 21 Jan 2017.

Thank you. I've been out of it this past week. All better now.

My bad Gillian:that reply didn't take into account your earlier reply. Text is emotionless and that amplifiers my error of not spotting it

I too have been out of it for about a month. Real life hit hard. Mostly sorted now. I'm glad you are feeling better

You are correct. There is not enough time to fully interrogate the prisoners and meet the bandit return timeline.

If the plan is to disguise as bandits and attack who/whatever is guarding the entrance, let's move in that direction with an IC post.

Will do

The group has moved forward and is nearing the open side door of the temple. Is the plan to go through the door, or take action outside?

To get inside and wreck havoc.

I think the last post on the topic said 'I would trigger the fight'. I'm planning on doing it as soon as I see what's going on inside

This accords with my understanding of the plan.

Since they are visible, Runningwolf had has weasels remain outside and out of sight.

Ok this is a serious!!! welcoming committee. I'm thinking about tactics and will post in a little while

It's cool that I think we are actually hard enough to take them on... I just hope pride doesn't go before a fall

I kinda did a double-take at the forces assembled here, too.

Yeah me too... Still we have surprise and I think Mr Burne's will live up to his name. I hope more than half the forces fail their saves against my illusion in which case they are 'toast' (literally given his fireballs)

with any luck they waste their first round on our illusionary troops anyway... that will make a difference too... we'll see...

It's going to be exciting though!

Trite Chinese curse: May you live in interesting times. I'm hoping for, "May we all live uncaptured through this upcoming interesting time."

Have you ever played 'Scourge of the Slave Lords'. If we all get captured it could be a really good scenario

But ... I'm hoping for the same as you

Is anyone else taking action, or is everyone waiting to see the results of Gnicely's illusion?

Well it would be cool if people would lay down havoc! The first round is a surprise round. We are all psyched up for it

"May we all live" is good enough for me. :)



In my mind, it was really a question of what you'd let us do.  If we can know that Gnicely and Burne are casting, then Corwin would leap into action, attacking whatever foe is closest (on the theory that neither spellcaster would aim so close to us.)  But, if we have to wait for the attack to know to attack, then that's a different story altogether.

Well I've posted attacking. My illusions are swarming ahead, and I'm casting illusions of pits and tentacles. Burnes has thrown his fireballs.

I think it's safe to assume the attack has started ;)

I understood the question to be whether we were waiting for the aftermath or if we were doing something at the same time as the magic was being weaved.

Right now everyone is declaring actions. Once the two spell caster start casting it will be apparent to the others, so feel free to take action simultaneously.

Then, if it is obvious, Corwin will attack the enemy nearest to him, and avoid the highest concentration of foes because (1) that is likely the spellcasters' target area and (2) avoiding the greatest concentration is smart anyhow.

There are ogres and trolls in front of the party, and the scarred man and two ogres behind them.

I am currently soooooooo lost guys. I'm sorry.

No apologies necessary. I sent you a PM.

Well gosh this is going 'OK' at the moment. Almost as well as we could have hoped for! Just get the priest and we are good!

Woot. Glad you are safe Gillian. That was a bit touch and go

Really busy: might be Tuesday before I can post. The busy is a good busy,. It it's still busy

I note we're coming up on the third anniversary. The strategy of nibbling has succeeded so far but makes for a long adventure...better than a short cut-off one. I playing in this module on RPOL years ago. It went differently and ended at an impasse. I've little idea how long it would take as a tabletop.

Regardless of all that, everybody's been participating, so it's a good game.

Yup

Mind you I'm planning now on crushing some of the lesser temples. We are a lot tougher than we were and I hope we get information about what we need to do. If not...Well we'll get loot and XP and be tougher when we go down to the third level properly.

My best guess... Another three years!

I am enjoying this game a lot though

Has anyone played 5e D&D? Thoughts?

My son bought me the starter set, so I was going to run him through the introductory adventure.

It's a long adventure, even on tabletop. I remember running it 20+ years ago for quite a while without the party ever making it to the third level.

I have not.  My son has, and it was his first D&D experience.  He likes it but he has nothing to compare it to.  From his descriptions it sounds like it could be fun.

I doubt that anything I just wrote is helpful, but there it is.

I played fifth in the beta and it was rubbish

I play it a lot now tabletopand it's really good. Simple. Exciting. Decent character differentiation. No complicated rules. All good

Not a big fan of 5th edition. I guess I got too use to 3.5/Pathfinder.

3.5 pathfinder is great at modelling god's amoung men. Fifth is much better at modelling fantasy fiction. That's just a view of course. I've played both at low level, high and epic

At high and epic I like fifth because the characters are still believable. Lower level... Well my preference for a game is still levels three to nine ish in 3.5 (with a load of the splat books removed)

Ran the first 5e session last night. Rules seem pretty straightforward for 2 brand new players with no rpg experience. Was considering using 1e or BECMI, but at low levels the cantrip rules for spell casters lets them feel a little more useful than a standard 1e MU, and since I got the starter set as a gift, I figured i'd give it a go.

Not sure how 3/3.5 or pathfinder plays. I've only been in one 3/3.5 game and that was a pbp right when I got back into gaming after a long break (which spanned from the middle of 2e until the d&d next playtest). Seemed rules heavy, but probably isn't that bad without all of the extra books.

I dabbled with Pathfinder once; an experienced GM was helping teach experienced RPGers who had never played Pathfinder or 3.5.  I immediately had the same thought: I liked the system but it would be far more enjoyable without all the extra stuff.  We didn't play many sessions for reasons unrelated to the game, and that remains my only experience.

I updated the Main Game Map to indicate which sets of double doors lead to which temples.

Water is circled in Blue, Air in Yellow, and Fire is Red.

A reminder of an earlier conversation:







The well being discussed is in the surface level of the temple.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:47, Sat 04 Mar 2017.

Yeah I was thinking about that quite a bit... can't work out how it fits into the geography of the lesser temples: I wonder if it's part of the greater?

I think I want the easy wins if everyone is good with it. I think the odds are 50/50 that we find the 'keys' for the golden skull in the lesser temples (there are four keys...) and the other 50/50 is 'well it's in the greater temple' (shrines?)

We're a lot tougher than we were, we have Mr Burne. Smashing the lesser temples will certainly help that feeling of 'payback' from the temple killing the priests in Homlet.

Plus we'll get lots of loot and xp from the three lesser temples. I fancy another level before we hit the greater temple.

I fancy about four...or more.

I like your idea much more than mine!! GM take note...

And stuff . . . don't forget stuff.

Like a Holy Sword of Kobayashi Maru hack?

At this point, only Corwin has noticed anything out of the ordinary.