The cursing was exactly the reaction I was looking for.  :)
This message was last edited by the player at 17:21, Sat 12 Feb 2022.

I suspect the axe was left behind in haste.

I can picture Ullian trying to jump out the window like a dog with a stick being stymied when it won't fit crosswise.

Or he could do the 10' pole thing and stick it in his pack.

I purposely omitted mention of the axe because Ullian cares far less about the axe than he does about staying alive.  If I were editing to specify, I would specify that he dropped the axe and left it behind to insure his escape.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:06, Sat 12 Feb 2022.

It looks like Sharn is rolling a d8 to hit and Rigya rolling a d6.  Action Points aren't going to save those rolls.

Sharn Thanatol rolled 8 using 1d20.  attack.
Sharn Thanatol rolled 8 using 1d20.  attack.
Sharn Thanatol rolled 7 using 2d20 with rolls of 6,1.  attack.
Sharn Thanatol rolled 2 using 1d20+1.
Sharn Thanatol rolled 7 using 1d20+1.  attack.

Rigya rolled 6,6 using d20,d6.  Short Bow Thunk!
Rigya rolled 6,4 using d20,d6.  Short Bow Thunk!
Rigya rolled 4,5 using d20,d6.  Short Bow Thunk!

I know, the positive note for the archers is that the Ettin probably doesn't even know we are around at all.

Maybe the noise will frighten him! :)

As a reminder, it is now night, in the wooded hills. The only light sources are:

The stars
The glowing coals of the campfire in the courtyard
The burning oil at the tower's threshold
Lowel's torch

Ullie, Clatsi, Lannet, and Sharn have infravision. Lowel, Rigya, and Arialle do not. The ettin's night vision is unknown.


Arialle and Ullie are at the bottom of a steep cliff, separated from the party. The ettin is heading off after Rigya as she retreats into the darkened woods.

I've had a rough several days and I've fallen behind. I'll read the thread and post tonight. Apologies for the absence.

Ettin is shot by arrow.
Ettin turns around and sees two people with bows.
One person with bow runs away.
Other person with bow is now closer to angry ettin.

We'll assume 50% cover (+4 AC bonus, i.e., -4 due to descending AC) if Rigya devotes the entire round running around the tree to stay away from the ettin.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:00, Wed 23 Feb 2022.

Can one use Action Points while unconscious or dying?  Or perhaps even sleeping?

I wasn't sure of the thematic nature of the Action Point.  As they're based on Charisma, I thought they might need to be invoked with a shout or grand gesture in order to be effective.  Especially when used to Inspire another.

Or perhaps only when used to Inspire another?

A character needs to be conscious to use their action points; however, one may use their action points (healing word) on another unconscious, dying, or sleeping character.

Just checking in for periodic feedback. This game has been underway for about 4 months and wanted to get a feel for how it's going from the players' perspective. I know, strange time to ask such a question when your characters are facing off with a foe who can splat your characters with a single blow, but such is the peril of older editions.

At any rate, welcome any feedback so I can try to make this game as enjoyable as possible. What's working. What's not, etc.?

Thanks,

Shane

I feel that our approach to this particular challenge (that is, splitting the party) reduced my enjoyment of the procedings. Not much the DM can do about that, though, and it was the right thing to do in-character.

Thanks for the feedback. Agree with you on the splitting the party bit. It ended up sidelining several characters it's never ideal, particularly in a medium that already moves slow. I tried to speed through it as best I could, but it still doesn't change the fact we had characters waiting.

I think the timing of the party split contributed; things always slow during and coming out of holidays, and we started going after the smith's daughter in December.

But things have been picking up, and I'm sure they will continue to do so once we join back up.

The game itself is, as usual, excellent.

I'm fine waiting on the sidelines to let others take the lead. Not everyone can be the star in every scene.

I like how things are going and look forward to seeing how the story unfolds.

I like how we're playing it all in character and don't mind splitting the party.  It's not very challenging when there's no sense of urgency.  Splitting the party to search or capitalize on unique skills makes sense.

GM: If you split up to find the starving children, you think you'll be able to finish by nightfall.

Bob: Never split the party!

GM: If you stick together, the search will most likely take you 5 days.

Angel: That's just searching during the day, right?

GM: You'd have to rest sometime unless you wanted to push yourself or split into shifts.

Bob: Never split the party!

Neve: Won't they starve if we take too long?

Bob: Its a forest, they'll eat berries and stuff.

GM: So you're not splitting the party and spending the 5 days?

All: YES!

GM: (rolls) On the third day, you find the dead children.  They've all died of exposure.  Probably on the first night.

Bob: That wasn't fair!  We never had a chance!

Thanks for the feedback. Yeah. Holidays are rough on posting availability and your point is well taken regarding party split during this period.

Thanks for the feedback and appreciate your understanding on the whole sidelining bit.

In reply to Rigya (msg # 328):

Yeah. Once the party decided to try to sneak in to rescue Arialle, it made sense to do it the way you did. Unfortunately, it meant several party members were sitting around watching. Thanks for your feedback.

Looks like we're waiting on Sharn to reveal her harping technique.

Luck ran out for Rigya. Rolled a crit.

There is not way for Sharn to know where others are or what is going on, so I won't change her actions.

Fair enough. Go ahead and make a Charisma check (d20) to see how well she can play and sing :)