When you try, oh so hard, to a third time engage the POS NPC.

“I could do is look at yer stupid crap”
“can’t tell much.”
“Shamastic bullshite, as usual…
“Stupid too. … restoring this crap is a waste of time. … Easier ta just make yer own Hammer of Returning from scratch”

And for bonus:
“Just like that stupid bow! Its disgusting. I dinnah know why ah even bothered lookin' at that thing…”


So Zaiya, about those fireballs.... or did we need ammunition for the Beetle's catapults?

Hehe.

Part of me feels kind of horrible for doing this to U'lin. His disappointment is painful to read >_<

The other part of me is unapologetically enjoying this schadenfreude.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:28, Tue 05 Jan 2021.

I dunno, I thought that was actually a very helpful conversation so long as one reads between the lines at what's actually being said.



Translation: I have bigger things to worry about and now is not the time, and I choose to respond with callous behavior regardless of the consequences.



Translation, along with earlier mutterings about not being allowed to drink because of his health: My morale and ego are at rock bottom as a result of my own failures and circumstances beyond my control, I'm suffering imposter syndrome, and I've been in a slump for the past decade despite clearly being of skill and use to Triboar.



Translation: I'm way too proud to actually say thank you, so I have to couch it in the form of a trade.  It's not like I'm actually grateful or interested, b-baka! >///>



Translation: I'm a traditionalist with a very focused field of study.  These mystical/spiritual-based items are outside of my specialty and I have no idea how they work, so I treat them with disdain rather than admitting that I just don't understand them.

We have a work jest/maxim:
"And that, Your Honour, ..." [is what started the fight/led to the murder charges at trial...]

Quick check, but can everyone see the new thread as well? The one with the briefing by Daratha?

Yessir.

I was holding for Moira's lead, but if she isn't able to post by morning, I'll post U'lin jumping in all apologetically like :P

Ah okay that's good to know. Was worried it wasn't visible. Hopefully the thread isn't too overwhelming xD

If folks are bothered by walls of text/infodumps like this, do tell me (here or PM is fine). Feedback lets me adjust the style/flow of the game to better suit the group.

Catapult launch a number of hooks on knotted ropes, hope one hook secures enough to climb more easily?

You know, I was not expecting a "flood the gates" approach, but yea. The hatch is pretty big, its open, you guys have enough time to set up the catapult to fire. If you use a catapult to fire multiple hooks and use all of them as supports...that'll make for a pretty low DC. I'll say DC 13 Athletics to climb up. Assuming you manage to go through all of that.

All this of course, is based only on information you currently know.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:39, Thu 07 Jan 2021.

Oh, of course.  Unknowns are anticipated, especially inside.  Thanks for the caution/warning, however.

Could U'lin craft custom carabiners, that would prevent falling more than five feet, from knot to knot?  It would certainly be a slower climb, but safer.

Or would such carabiners be standard, say in a city's guard supply?

I'm going to say that Carbiners are not a known invention, and are not available for player or widespread use.

My original thought was using the Iron Beetle's launchers to get the hooks up there since that'd be the easiest/most reliable way to get the proper strength and aiming calibration, since it can be tested and adjusted before attempting for real.  As for the lines, chain would be preferable but rope with intermittent knots set along its length to aid in climbing would do in a pinch.  Basically a poor man's "Rope of Climbing" to function in the place of add-ons like pitons or carabiners.



As for equipment, I'll leave everyone else to figure out what they're asking for.  I'm assuming the "no alchemy" rule means no vials of acid.  Moira would like to requisition the following, on the condition that she intends to use them in the Tower and gives absolutely no assurance any of it will be returned whole/functional:

- 2 Cases of 20 Crossbow Bolts (The armory isn't getting these back period, so Moira will pay for them if necessary)

- 1 Backpack Parachute https://5e.tools/items.html#backpack%20parachute_wdh
- 2 Bags of Ballbearings
- 1 Blanket
- 1 Block and Tackle https://5e.tools/items.html#block%20and%20tackle_phb
- 5 Candles
- 1 Fishing Tackle
- 1 Grappling Hook
- 5 Ink (1-ounce bottle)
- 2 Locks
- 1 Magnifying Glass
- 2 Manacles
- 5 Oil Flasks
- 2 Perfume Vials
- 2 Rope, Hempen
- 5 Sealing Wax
- 1 Sling
- 2 Sling Bullet Bags (40 ammo total)
- 1 Spyglass
- 1 Staff
- 1 set of Thieves' Tools

No acid is correct.

Backpack Parachutes are a WDH item and not on the standard equipment lists I'm afraid, so the armory does not have it.

Its a bit odd for a keep to have perfume, but lets just say you acquire it from among the nobility/officers who have a stash.

Everything else is good.

---

Adding knots to a regular rope does not grant advantage to climb it. It will lower the DC, which was already accounted for in U'lins scenario. My reasoning here is that there is nothing in the regular rope description that states that knotting it grants advantage, and that from a challenge standpoint, its trivial to simply get more rope and knot it in any scenario (basically, there is nearly zero cost to gaining advantage in this scenario, and I do not consider adding knots to a climbing rope particularly creative).

As for why it works for a Rope of Climbing: magic.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:10, Thu 07 Jan 2021.

A knotted rope is way, way easier to climb.

For the perfume, it doesn't have to be actual perfume or anything nice smelling - just something overtly aromatic and clinging in liquid form.  Could just as easily be some smelly grease emulsified in a jar of water, for example.  But thanks either way; I'm good to go with that, then.

No worries on the backpack parachute.  That was basically a "well, if something goes completely wrong immediately and I have to dive off the top of the tower..." failsafe, given the height of the tower versus the distance limit of deployment.  Not having it is no big deal.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:25, Thu 07 Jan 2021.

Yeap. That was accounted with a lowered DC. the original DC to climb 70ft of tower was 17, increases with a poor plan to fix the hook, decreases with a good plan. Plus other factors like knotting it and you get the DC of 13.

You can always try other means to grant Advantage ;)

Give us enough time and we'll figure out a way to Block-and-Tackle a pulley system to get Glory up there with us.  :3

*confused neighing*

Sure :D

I'm sure she'll fit through the doors...?

I'll push things forward in another 6-7 hours to the tower itself, barring additional questions.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:43, Thu 07 Jan 2021.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ8jGqdE2iw
Jez sayin'

We secure the rope ends to the Beetle, to secure the bottom as well.
... for advantage on the check?

That would...stabilize the rope I guess? It would interfere with the blanket catchers though since the beetle would be in the way, but I'll say it would reduce the DC by 1.

Gonna sleep now, check later

So, is anyone here good at athletics?  Or is this even after we get the rope up?

I have a +5 to Athletics, and I'd imagine one could justify an acrobatics check too.