You animals.

Seriously this game has a disgusting amount of posts for the amount of in-game time thats happened lmao. I think thats a good thing...?

I've always been of the opinion that an active OOC chat is an indicator of a healthy game.  Every game I've ever been in where nobody chatted casually always tanked immediately.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:47, Sun 29 Aug 2021.

I take it back. TALK MOR- I mean, lovely weather we're having today eh?

Also it looks like U'lin is the main one for destroying the dagger. Is this something he would feel very strongly about? Would anyone else' PC want to contest Moira's request to take the dagger to the Church of Waukeen?

Gonna sleep early today, I'll advance things tomorrow. Have a good weekend folks :)

Nothing like the books no

Just believed waykeen about money, and more money selling it back instead of destroying

Both my daughter and wife put my talking skills to shame.... but the former is deeply involved with Barbies and their outfit changes, and the latter trying to stop the former for a bath.  Great entertainment, but less typey-talky.

If she is adamant it would be destroyed, not resold, then no.

Even if not... it's not a strong issue like the books, more a distasteful item from distasteful deity.

Re: Moira and the Dagger
Moira's currently on a Quest from God™ as a condition for keeping her Stigmata (and presumably accessing future power-ups) that had two conditions: first was getting Foehammer back on the proverbial horse, which she's accomplished.  Second is bringing the church in Yartar a magical weapon of at least Rare/+1 quality.  It wasn't explained to her exactly what the purpose of these commands were, however, so she's effectively acting on good faith.

If all else fails, Moira intended to give over the Arrow of Slaying - Fae as her donation, as it qualifies based on rarity (and holding onto the Lycanthrope arrow seems like a good idea for us right now).  But she was also going to hand over the cursed Orc Slayer sword too (just because it's a cursed sword that needs to be uncursed or disposed of; its rarity is too low to qualify for her condition).  Moira assumes the church wouldn't just resell dangerous magical weapons because the Waukeen's following isn't really about murder and mayhem in pursuit of profit.  That sort of instability is a deterrent to fair trade, which is why Waukeen is similarly opposed to Mask - the god of thievery.


A fair assumption and one that most people make, both in-game and out.  Waukeen and her faithful basically operate on the idea that everyone should be equally wealthy and prosperous, and the way to obtain that ideal is through fair trade.  Hence why all of her followers are merchants in some measure.  Waukeenar on average naturally become rich as a result and a lot of people assume they're greedy misers, but that's basically against Waukeen's teachings and would merit some nasty retribution if it went too far.  It's why Moira is so adverse to the Zhentarim, as that criminal organization is focused on total monopolization of trade, hoarding wealth, and controlling markets.  They're antithetical to Waukeen's teachings.

That said, Waukeen doesn't really care about what's being traded, so long as it's a fair and profitable deal in and of itself.  She approves of setting up a trade deal to send food to impoverished citizens to the same measure she would of smugglers arranging an illicit contraband deal.  So while it's not impossible that the Church might resell contraband, it's unlikely because it would risk bringing bad attention their way from legal powers in the area and thus interfere with their ability to perform trade/harm their reputation.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:05, Mon 30 Aug 2021.

If Moira said she needs to do it for her faith, and the temple will do what needs to be done, that will be good enough for Moira - U'lin trusts her more than anyone, in most aspects.

Moira got a ping of recognition on the gems too, so to help clarify; it's not just necromancy but "Dark Magic".  IE, the bad stuff.  A merchant or Waukeenar carrying around such gems isn't inherently a bad/illegal thing, in the same way that carrying around all the component items to make meth isn't.  But anyone who's in the know can take one look and realize that no good can come of it.

Yeah, the set of thirteen onyxes is probably bad juju, though what kind of bad juju is up in the air.

Also, yay!  Writer's Block Smashed!  Now I just need to keep it from congealing again...  Hopefully that works for a while.  It's a nice feeling not to be in a depressed funk but it's frustrating when that doesn't help me be more productive.

Hey! Welcome back Zaiya!

Also I think this is enough info for me to progress stuff, but no update today. Had a rather bad case of insomia last night and am paying for it now @_@

Will see if sleeping early fixed it. Expect a morning post tomorrow. Otherwise, have a good night folks.

Sorry to hear that, DM.  Hope you have a better rest!

Feeling better now, was in a kind of stupor and then had to catch up on work :(

Current post is just to check that the party wants to be dropped off with the horses, and also to wrap up any loose ends I might have missed. Otherwise, we're back on the road to Yartar!

Just to confirm, of all the items we got from Felgolos' lair, these are the stuff that Claire will be keeping/has already pocketed:

x6 tiny glass vials containing a murky black liquid
x14 satchets containing various colored powders of unknown composition
x4 Essence of Lust
x1 Giants Blood Pills (is this literally a pill of congealed giant's blood?)
x2 Elk Musk
x3 sets of barding, saddles, stirrups and other equestrian gear, enough for the party's horses
x2 bottles of "Horse Booster"
x1 Wyrmling Orb

As for the 6 vials and 14 satchets, I held off on identifying them because narratively stopping to identify them in the middle of the search didn't seem like something Claire would do, but if there is time after dinner, perhaps that could be done? If that's possible, I'd like to do it with Herbalism:

Herbalism: 16
01:44, Today: Claire Larkspur rolled 16 using 1d20+3.

The first two batches are the poisons and drugs Felgolos wants destroyed. With that check...

-Claire has no idea what the murky black liquid is, however her instincts as a healer tell her that it is a very potent (and dangerous) poison

-The colored powders are a bit more familiar - this is Leprechaun Dust, supposedly because its manufactured from the same magics the fey use to protect their hidden pots of gold. The dust is used by the rich as a sort of snuff, and gives a slight euphoria when taken in small doses. In large quantities, one of the imbiders' senses becomes highly stimulated to the point of being overwhelming, depending on what color is taken. It has a extra strong effect on magic users, causing them to sense the Weave in new and unusual ways. It is normally very expensive, and in some cities like Luskan and Yartar is seen as a sign of status.

If all colors are inhaled at once the imbiber falls into a catatonic state. While the base components are not addictive, the drug itself is commonly mixed with substances that create a mild to moderate addiction, to 'encourage' future trade.

-The Essence of Lust, Giants Blood Pills and Elk Musk are all aphrodisiacs. Besides the Musk, Claire doubts the names have anything to do with the ingredients used. The Church of Chauntea is aware that Giants Blood pills are commonly used by male aristocrats to uh. "Compensate". Indeed, the certain branches of the church actually manufacture similar such items (discreetly of course) for substantial donations.

Well, that was lovely, I lost internet for a few days because some construction guys cut our fiber cable.

Blech.

I swear, you have the worst luck with this sort of thing.  Have you considered buying lotto tickets?  The pendulum might swing in your favor for once.

was definitely not expecting campaign viagra.  Probably should have, but wasn't :)

I think I -did- mark this game as adult yes? I don't plan on running any explicit sex scenes (fade to black for sure), but stuff like this were common in medieval societies I believe, more so in a fantasy realm with literal magic dong enhancers.

One can't go into any corner store without seeing a bunch of 5-hour energy drinks and "enhancement" pills/drinks on display here in the modern world, so it seems perfectly reasonable to see that sort of thing in a fantasy setting where alchemy is a thing.  While I agree in not having anything too explicit for the sake of comfort, the occasional bit of salty humor and world building can be fun in the right measure since our characters and (I assume we players) are all adults.  Kinda falls into the same reason why a healthy but diminutive woman like Moira had reasons for buying contraceptives and pain meds from that last herbalist we met, after all.



I need to know what happened here.  I yearn.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:38, Thu 02 Sept 2021.

I have a suspicion that the way we eventually use these would be, for lack of a better word, epic.

The fact that the PC worshiping the fertility goddess is the one declaring this has me...concerned.

Agreed on many accounts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW2zKU3xnHk

Something interesting I came across while browsing around YouTube.  Seemed fitting for Claire's herbalist antics, particularly in the sort of old-timey applications and procedures.

In reply to Moira Ruadh (msg # 23):

Exactly! Out of curiosity, for those who know more about DnD lore, does Goldenfields take in well-to-do youth from the cities as acolytes? While my impression of Chauntea's faith is that it's largely peasant/rural centered of course, I can't help but think of Buddhist orders based in the countryside that would take in the occasional (well, I suppose in Kyoto's case, not merely occasional) noble scion/temporary political exile/etc.

I don't see any reason why not, really.  While Chauntean faith is broadly depicted as similar to Catholicism, Chauntea herself actually has direct connections to Shou culture (from Kara Tur; Forgotten Realms' uncomfortable-by-modern-standards mishmash of Asian cultures).  That connection is actively present even all the way in Goldenfields itself, so blending in elements of Buddhism or Shinto into Chauntean religious practices strikes me as totally reasonable.  But yeah, be it monks, acolytes, nuns, friars... nobility either hiding out in their company, being banished to them after a scandal, or just coming to the fold of their own accord seeking a different direction in life has tons of precedent.  I'd say roll with it.  ^^

As for Goldenfields itself... it's kind of a big deal.  Like, Goldenfields is over 19,000 acres of farmland and basically feeds the majority of Northern Faerun, including major cities like Waterdeep and Neverwinter.  Goldenfields itself has a population in the thousands, so it's basically a small city on its own.  It's an extremely important asset in the region so, while it may be peasant/rural in attitude (especially given Goldenfields' religious dedication), it's also a major powerhouse on the sociopolitical stage.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:45, Mon 06 Sept 2021.

That makes sense! I knew Goldenfields was bigger than Nightstone at least, and I justified Claire's relatively polished grammar and vocabulary as being due in part to her clerical education in a monastic institution, but I didn't realize it was that big and important in relation to the wider world.

It's in kind of a funny spot in that regard.  Goldenfields' contributions to the region are super important and, if they wanted to, they could really throw their weight around... but they don't.  Like, at all.  They don't even charge neighboring cities for the food.  It's all charitable donations made in the name of Chauntea.  The whole place is functionally one giant temple owned, operated, populated, and protected by the members of its faith, the Druids of the Emerald Enclave, and sympathetic mercenaries.  They're a totally enclosed, self-sustaining, but not exclusionary, commune with the only real economy being what's basically an inn, a tavern, and a gift shop.  ^^;

It's also probably one of the safest places in the North, simply because of the role it plays in feeding everyone.  Any invading force that felt it would be a juicy target would immediately find themselves as the #1 enemy of every major power in the entire region and treated accordingly.  Basically the only thing that would try to attack Goldenfields would be monsters looking for a meal, but the Emerald Enclave has Treants and those guys are walking siege engines.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 09:23, Mon 06 Sept 2021.

Love to learn new things first thing in the mornin'.  Always feels like a good start!
Thanks, Moira.

Goldenfields is a major supplier of various grains to the Sword Coast, but its also one of the few large-scale orchards in the region, and one of the only places that is capable of growing fruit year-round. Its also a major grainhouse and center of the Chauntean faith. Many farmers still prefer to get their seed stock (blessed) from the traveling acolytes of the Grain Goddess, who get *theirs* from Goldenfields.

And yea Moiras' right in that Goldenfields is weird politically. In this campaign at least, the church there is one of the closest things you get to a neutral ground and serves as a political asylum of sorts - so there are actually a lot of noble 'retirees' in that area (usually older land nobles from the countryside who need constant care that their house, either due to politics or money, cannot supply). Its also not unusual for non-inheriting members of noble families (third or fourth child) to swear vows to a church, and Chauntea is pretty popular given how many barons are essentially land-owners. Many of the acolytes have noble background in this manner, though one is meant to cast away all past ties while serving the goddess.

(EDIT - sort of clarifying though, that the majority of the order is still made of rural intakes, usually selected by traveling priests and brought over. Many are orphans. The nobility that sign up are usually ones from the lower-rung of the noble houses, barring weird exceptions and political exiles as stated above. The comparison with Buddhist temples is quite apt.)

You have to be insane to attack Goldenfields. Pretty much no one would. Imagine turning the whole of the Lords' Alliance and assorted cities of the Sword Coast against you. Madness! Hahaha.

Hahahahaha-
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:15, Mon 06 Sept 2021.

Given the scenario presented: can we swing any Perception or knowledge-based checks to see if we recognize anything identifiable about this group fighting the Stone Giant?  Like are any of them wearing heraldry or recognizable uniforms?

Moira's reflex in general here would be to side with the group and help them out.  The party managed to resolve things peacefully with their own Stone Giant encounter, but only just barely since that almost turned to violence because the dude was a sore loser.  She's not inclined to rely on that sort of thing again.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:12, Mon 06 Sept 2021.

Definitely! Perception first, then History. You can roll both at once if you like, I'll prompt if I need more rolls.

Perception
Moira Ruadh rolled 9 using 1d20+4

History
Moira Ruadh rolled 4 using 1d20

Oof, lousy run there.  Moira's likely got nothing of use to contribute, so hopefully someone else can be better informed.

Perception: 3
22:22, Today: Claire Larkspur rolled 3 using 1d20.  Perception.

History: 2
22:22, Today: Claire Larkspur rolled 2 using 1d20-1.


That someone else will clearly not be me!

Can’t cut and paste from phone.

History 5
Perception 26

So it looks like only Moira has voiced their opinion so far?

What does the rest of the party want to do?

And if you're helping, how do you want to go about it?

My vote would be to help buy the other party a chance to regroup and rally themselves while we hold the Stone Giant off.  Seems like they're overwhelmed at the moment and need the chance to get their footing back.  One or two of us (likely Claire and Thente, or Claire and Moira) should directly oppose the Stone Giant while others should focus on assisting the party against the Imps.  There might be another one of those minion-spawning anchor devices that needs disabling.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:35, Tue 07 Sept 2021.

Hm, what if U'lin gave some sort of diplomacy a go? With some luck, his 'Rankbreaker' notoriety may come in handy?

Diplomacy in the middle of an active fight where neither side is at a distinct advantage is tough, but I wouldn't say no to it either.

DM, what is the giant wearing/wielding?

Simple clothing made of furs and leathers, is not wielding any true weapons, just using their fists and rocks.

Their fists still freaking hurt though. And the rocks are huge.

Ugh.. and just realized that U'lin's still 3/4 tapped of juice.

Why would that be?  We got a full Long Rest and some bonus Temp HP from staying the night at Felgolos' Lair/having Moira's dinner.  Everyone should be at more than peak performance right now.

U'lin specifically skipped the long rest to study the Steamworks engine :P

Still gets the temp HP I'll say.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:26, Wed 08 Sept 2021.

Hmmm?  I thought I said that he WAS sleeping, and asked the party to depart later so that U'lin had time to study the engine before bed, and do the reforging in the morning.

I thought we didn't regain spells because it wasn't a townsite.

Either way, still blue.  :3

Also, crimeny, what's the range on that hammer?  Is it like a Javelin of Lightning or something?  We're at least 70' away from the conflict after taking non-Dash movement into account.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:53, Wed 08 Sept 2021.

Oh, no. Felgolos' cave counts for resting. If you guys do manage to find random cottages or groves or places which a person has made into a home/shrine/similar, then you get the full benefits. Go ahead and regain all ye slots U'lin!

The Hammer throw is a slightly tweaked Catapult, so 90ft :)

EDIT: It does mean you are out of range for the spiritual weapon though U'lin. We can save those rolls for later :)
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:36, Wed 08 Sept 2021.

It occurs to me we should, at some point, have a "training montage" sort of thing where everyone spars/trains together and we actually square away what everyone can do in a fight.  ^^;  I'm pretty sure all of us have blank spots in each others' perspectives over what we're equipped with and what we're capable of.  Which makes for fun surprises in cases like Ethgar seeing Thente fight for the first time, but still.

If nothing else, Moira did promise Claire a sparring match prior that we've yet to get around to.

Oh even better!  Tyk.

---

Okie.
It sounded from description as just a little less than 100', so I was thinking 90-95', depending on the descriptive generalization?
Considering U'lin's 30'mv, range 60', 5' reach of weapon, seemed reasonable, but sadly also terribly on brand for U'lin to be 5' short for that dang weapon to attack. :)

---

Agreed, agreed.

"If you stay within this range, I can support with this or help recover with healing word.  So and so is very tough, but we see how effective XandY are tag-teaming on big troubles, etc.  Things like how far Claire can support/protect with her defensive aspects, etc.

Also, if U'lin didn't give Thente back the javelin of lightning, U'lin would have :)

Thente has had the javelin since you guys revived him with it.

Unfortunately "approximately 100ft" goes both ways. You guys are actually a bit further than that. Check the map for now, it should make things clearer.

We can certainly set aside a period for the party to work out tactics and such. It can be in Yartar, or we can do like an 'out of time' sequence if you prefer. I'll see how events flow.

---

Map and combat took longer to setup than I intended! Was trying to find/make something that fit the scenario, ending up delaying it too much, decided perfection was the enemy of Gond good, and now we have that crap linked in the IC thread :P

One thing I can do in the future is setup a roll20 room that you guys can join and move your tokens around directly. This lets you guys use the roll20 features like the ruler to measure stuff, while I can spend less time screenshotting/adding a A1 grid...etc. What do you guys think?

Whatever works, DM

'pologies all! I've been swamped this last week with my wife's birthday, my daughter's birthday, MY birthday, my parents visiting, and work all kept me busy. I'm trying to catch up now!

That is one full week, T

I just want to say its really cute how you all have birthdays in the same week as each other :P

How you doing U'lin? Hope you're feeling better after the surgery.

Still bleeding, but I can walk again.
Swelling still above normal but only 150% instead of 600%

Still not supposed to lift anything but that hasn’t been realistic since I could walk.
Able to crawl into bed to read night time books even if cannot lift her up.

Way better.

I have this sudden mental image of Claire inviting Thente to ride with her on Glory all nice and romantic and then HORSESCREAMINGBLOOD while the poor sorc is sort of just dragged along for the ride.

DM - are the dust clouds translucent enough that we can actually tell where creatures are inside them, even if they remain Heavily Obscured and thus attacked at Disadvantage?  Would a light source or the Darkvision Goggles do anything to address visibility one way or another?
This message was last edited by the player at 08:46, Fri 10 Sept 2021.

The mud mephits are not quiet, you can target them for attacks but at disadvantage. Spells and such that require you to see the target will not function.

Goggles will not help, a light source on the creature itself will, like a Faerie Fire or if you somehow got a Light spell to stick, but it's a cloud of dust, not darkness.

Accurate.

Also, dex save!

Dexterity save: 18
11:03, Today: Claire Larkspur rolled 18 using 1d20+2.  Dex save.

Edit: Does Glory have to make a saving throw too? If so:

Dexterity save: 10
11:05, Today: Claire Larkspur rolled 10 using 1d20+1.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:08, Fri 10 Sept 2021.

DM, has the lair action occurred?  (i.e. - is U'lin to post, or wait still?)

Working on it! Had to see if Claire and Glory would pass the restrain so they could move.

agh! I still haven't caught up and it keeps moving forward!!!

---

Also yes - my wife and I are 3 days apart and hadn't planned on daughter #2 being that close to our bday, but she loves it because it's a week of parties and cake and presents.

Daughter #1... less enjoyment. She feels left out, but then super special at her Bday since it's just everyone focused on her :D

Y'know, I just realized--have my Portents reset yet?

They should have, we had a Long Rest...

Anyway, no post today, but I'll get my bit in tomorrow, just debating how to do it.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:57, Fri 10 Sept 2021.

Yeap! Reroll them portents Zaiya

Also U'lin - I'll say thats an Arcana or Nature check to figure out whats going on with the skin patterns.

16:00, Today: Zaiya Alvina rolled 14 using 2d20 with rolls of 10,4.  THE PROPHECY of today.

THE PROPHECY HAS SPOKEN!

10 and 4 are my Portent Dice today.

Another complicated bit of movement thanks to Moira being able to bounce around like a ping-pong ball.  :3  I've made a layout for it like the previous Boss Fight long jump she pulled, just to make sure everything is on the level.


Thanks to the Boots of Striding and Springing, Moira can make a 24' running leap (minimum 10' of movement first) and half as much with a standing leap (no movement used first).  She can only jump as far as her maximum movement distance remaining allows though, so her first Movement is split between 15' run-up and a 15' leap.  Because she never actually touches the ground and just leaps right up the hillside, it shouldn't necessarily incur a movement reduction.  When she lands on the hill and uses her Bonus Action to Dash for an extra 30' of movement, rather than move to make another running start (and thus losing precious movement speed to difficult terrain), she just makes a standing leap.  That's enough to clear the 10' necessary to reach the path and let her continue on running normally.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:36, Tue 14 Sept 2021.

Ayy!

09:04, Today: Thente rolled 17 using 1d20+1.  Dex Save

GM - is this save for 1/2 dmg or no dmg?
This message was last edited by the player at 16:07, Tue 14 Sept 2021.

No damage!

DC17 dex save... and both +1s made it?  rofl  Oh poor giant.  Be suffering a crisis of faith herself, as the stone turns against her :)

Wow! I can't believe we both made that save.

At least I know what runes Thente will get first whenever we get to level 8 and he hits rune knight. Stone/Cloud seem appropriate given how much early encounters we've had with stone giants and that he has cloud giant blood running in his veins now.

Plus... Darkvision 120 will be nice :D

Mechanically Frost or Fire would be better for Thente than Cloud (esp. frost with the skills that are boosted and the boost to str/con checks/saves), but the IC/story of cloud blood in the potion that revived him is too strong. I guess I can re-evaluate depending on what all happens between now and then though.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:29, Tue 14 Sept 2021.

Also cloud is insanely powerful. Redirecting an attack from one enemy to another, including Crits, is encounter changing.

Oh agreed

In reply to GM (msg # 70):

It can be super powerful… assuming there are other targets in range who are also hostile… otherwise you can’t really use it.

Well, yes.  In a solo fight, it's not going to shine as much without prep.

And an attack v. you or anyone else.
But it's 30' range, not 5'.  Except it's up to 30' either way, so potentially 60'.

An auto miss on any attack of your choice.
And it's never wasted - only when the person would be hit.
AND Redirected to hit target of your choice.
You can hoard it until a crit/big attack?
You can redirect it to people like wizards and warlocks prepared with their punishing attacks, fireshields, agathis, hellish rebukes...
Heck, even summons are valid target if it's a solo fight?

And you recharge on a short!

U'lin would kill for ability like that!

In reply to U'lin (msg # 73):

I just meant that since the majority of fights overall have been very big single targets, this ability is not as much use against those kinds of fights (solo giants).

I guess its not useless even against a solo monster fight. I could transfer the attack to U'lin if he's been running off on his own again or something ;)

But more seriously, it can transfer attacks from a low AC target to a high AC target, so potentially still make it a miss.

Sure the most spectacular use is "oh you crit'd me? How bout you crit your friend instead." :D

And U'lin doesn't need to kill for it. He just needs to sacrifice 3+ cleric levels to the fighter gods like Thente will be doing!

DM, question on the Restrain effect from the Mud Mephits: is it a set duration effect or do we get to retry the saving throw each turn to break free?

Set duration, ends on the creatures next turn.

Ends at start of
or end of
creature's next turn?
(presuming it's the latter, but good to clarify)

Speaking of turns, I thought we were waiting for lair action - are you waiting on U'lin?

In reply to U'lin (msg # 78):

yeah it's Lair Action's turn, but I think since Zaiya's doing all move then its probably fine.

Yup it's Lair action, I'll resolve this soon, was previously waiting on Claire

I'll resolve Zaiya after the Lair.

Managed to damage my tooth on something earlier this week, had to visit the dentist this morning who says it might be cracked. Been dealing with a migraine for a while now, really hoping it's not serious enough for dental surgery :(

End of the creatures next turn unfortunately. Don't fail!

How's everyone going today?

Just had some tooth surgery. So I feel like shit lol.

But hopefully less like shit tomorrow :)

In reply to GM (msg # 83):

Ouch!

Take pain meds and sleep!

Sorry to hear that, DM.  Getcherself better indeed!

That's forthcoming for me after a good stretch without.  Nothing major, in theory, but I'm still recovering (just the blood infection left!) from my last health bout, so.. yknow, keep it fresh, keep it interesting.

When you get better, just asking, can I get line of sight and range on the thingiemabob this turn so I can cast Dispel Magic?

Feeling a lot better now! Going for a followup appointment, then gonna try and update the round.

Thank you for your patience folks. Hope everyone else is doing well.

---

Not this immediate round, since Zaiya's action was to dash + misty step. Next round though, definitely yes.

In reply to GM (msg # 87):

Glad  you're feeling better GM, hope the follow appt. was good!

It was fine, some inflammation but nothing that can't be handled by regular dentist work.

Basically slept most of the weekend and such. Didn't even realize it but between the lightning bolt and U'lins spell the giant went to single digits lol. And then the NPCs mopped up :x

Could have probably updated earlier! Sorry~

Nothing to apologize about; it's more important that you take care of yourself first.

Also, load bearing bosses are always convenient.  :3

Sorry if Thente seems combative right now.

He'll calm down eventually, and hopefully none of this is too detrimental to RP efforts for the rest of you.

Question on placement and volume; was U'lin speaking to Thente alone over by Glory, or was he projecting his voice enough so that the others heard him as well?
This message was last edited by the player at 03:05, Wed 22 Sept 2021.

Oh, to be heard by them as well.

In reply to U'lin (msg # 93):

I'll pause in replies to U'lin to give Claire/NPCs another chance to respond to the situation at large.

Yea about that. Guys. C'mon. Its been literally years.

Nonsense, it hasn't even been a month.  :3

The Blue Meenies? :)

Tough to determine a good group name.  The member changes (and return!) almost reset the waterclock, and giant-references seem so on the nose :)

hah. honestly I had forgotten that a "group name" was a thing you guys were discussing at one point.

"We're an assorted group of varied-skilled and faithed travellers brought together by happenstance and quasi-agreement of tasks and goals" is a bit mouthful :p

How about the Runeseekers or Runebreakers?

Lord knows we've done enough of both so far!

Good ideas!  I'd vote no on both, however - the Seekers are poisoned by this NPC group, and breaking runes seems both limited and gives me a mental image of a 2yo knocking over blocks :)

What about Runedelvers?

A play on Ruin Delver cards/spells of previous editions as well.

Back from my rotation, about to pass out, will post after waking up.

Group names are a tough nut to crack, all in all.  The real trouble lies in that we don't exactly have a single unifying experience amongst the group that either defines what we do or what we aim to accomplish.  So it becomes a question of "Do we wait for a singular event to help define our identity going forward" or "Do we specify a point where the party became a real group and just deal with it"?

If the first option, it'd likely be something we decide on after Stoor is revived and/or we square up with the Fire Giants, as that would sort of represent the whole party going all-in on the Giant conflict directly.  In the latter, we'd have to define what is "the core group" to differentiate points on our collective timeline between where the group formed and other party members joined said group.  The trouble there is that it runs the risk of making some folk feel left out if they joined in after the defining point.

As we currently stand, our group is actually really fragmented in terms of their goals and desires.  Further, they all have different unifying experiences.  Moira, Thente, and Claire (and Doderic) are what I'd consider to be "the core group" since they were all present from the start of the campaign and the main instigating conflict that's driven the story along thus far (Nightstone being attacked, reviving Stoor, the Resurrection Project, getting word to The Lords' Alliance).  These three in particular are the ride-or-die bunch by this point.  Everyone else joined up after that and has no direct connection to Nightstone or its troubles.  U'lin's core motivation is contending with the Giant threat and, as covered in game, he doesn't care about Nightstone nor have any personal reason to.  He basically joined the group out of convenience initially.  Similarly, Zaiya is with the group on assignment and surely not being paid enough to deal with everything she's being dragged through, while Ethgar has joined out of personal obligation and gratitude.

So one of our options would be to specify the core group as the defining point for the group name, thus basing the name off something to do with Nightstone.  I've actually been kicking around the prospect of naming the group in honor of Claire's father since he's a known figure in the setting and his sacrifice was an emotional motivating point for the original trio when it happened.

Alternatively, we move the defining point up to involve our work with SEER, which would include U'lin and Zaiya into the mix.  So the name might involve events at Amphail, Red Larch, or allude to our association with SEER/their garden motif.  Pushing further ahead to Triboar and our knighthood as a defining point includes Ethgar in, but Thente was absent for all that on the counter-point.

Sooooo... hmm.  Overall, I'd say we either name our group in honor of Nightstone or Claire's father, based on our association with SEER, or wait until after the next major event post-Stoor Revival and see if something catches our fancy.

I personally don't care OOC about naming adventuring groups. It's something that has only very rarely been part of my personal gaming experience. Thente IC thinks its weird to name a group of people, so he doesn't feel strongly one way or another. He'd be in favor of naming after Claire's father or some future defining event either way. I guess we need to have that clarifying conversation once Stoor is raised IC'ly. If Thente/Moira/Claire are going all in on the giant thing after delivering her, that will bind their motivations much more closely with U'lin and Zaiya. Ethgar seems like he's game for whatever so far, but I'll let him speak for himself on that point.

I was just offering ideas since the topic had arisen!

It seems quite a lot happened since I last checked in! I'll try to get a post in by tonight.

No rush on the group name thing, I rather not force it if folks aren't comfortable yet.

Also man I was not expecting the degree of dislike for the rogue, but if everyones at least a little annoyed by his attitude then I've succeeded :P

I'll leave things open here a bit for Claire and Zaiya to interject.

Coming up is what I hope to be a slight slow period IC, the culmination of Stoor's little arc, and some time for the party to unwind and pursue some side activities.

Moira doesn't have any personal dislike of the rogue herself; he just triggered her PTSD, but that's not really his fault.

I mean... it IS his fault because he beheaded a giant callously in front of her. If he'd just killed it, that'd be another thing.

Yeah, but it wasn't an intentional effort to set off her PTSD on his part, so she's not going to hold him responsible for it or anything.

That is okay. Ulin and thente will cover it for her

"Don't worry the two of us have enough righteous indignation for the WHOLE party!"

---

But yea the rogue was definitely me channeling a few more 'gamey' dnd players I've had so far. Especially with the "how do you want to do this" that Matt Mercer popularized. Great for getting player buy-in in certain combats, but also perhaps a bit too celebratory of sentient death.

On that note, I hope this more 'realistic' campaign theme isn't off putting for anyone? I've been trying to portray the conflicting parties as people too, flawed or monstrous in personality if not form, which is a bit darker than most dnd games I'm aware of.

Nah it's great! I love it and it brings up things and issues I have with the way many players interpret their actions vis-à-vis the game world's "reality". Like... no one really ever consider the consequences of their murderous activities, they presume righteousness for it often.

Matt Colville of MCDM has an upcoming video on running the game where it looks like he's going to talk about similar themes/concepts soon:

src: https://twitter.com/mattcolvil.../1439737670494605320

Agreed on both.

I like the involvement of players on the big scenes, and the death scenes can be excellent, can tell much of the PC and player both.

I don't think it's the killing blow per se.  The jabs/slags during combat, no care about teammates, kill stealing, callous killing blow, even worse indignity to the body, and bragging at ambushing during heroic challenge/contest... it was just too much.

Not to say that such was unrealistic, for I've certainly played with those folk - it's just... not the type of ppl or PCs I like to have at my table.
For U'lin, and I think Thente, the callous treatment of the giant jacked things up waaaaay high, and spoiled the good will/riding in cavalry, like finding half a worm in your juicy red apple.

Hope everything is ok with your RL stuff Ethgar! Take care of yourself.

Ditto.  That RL monster is pernicious!

Heh, I keep forgetting no proficiency on arcana.  Until next encounter, when I forget again :)

Speaking of Proficiencies, what's going to be the plan with our upcoming downtime options?  Is it a narrative function with some player-focused activities like the party at Amphail (which was grand, don't think I'm complaining for a second) or is it mechanical-based for changing up character functions, learning new skills, crafting items, and other such things?

I've got Arcana and my head's coming out of the post rotation fog, if that hasn't been resolved yet let me see what I can do...

Zaiya absolutely is going to see if she can start putting all our salvage together so she can put together a sweet spellcasting token/artifact/thingie with all the bits and bobs we've salvaged on the way up here.

Makes me think of:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDWR5RkWRTY

Nonsense; if Zaiya was going to be anyone from The Mummy, she'd be Evie.

Moira, meanwhile, is probably the cat.  https://youtu.be/mKliV4wBm4g?t=134
This message was last edited by the player at 04:43, Sat 25 Sept 2021.

@GM Is there one? Or should I just take some creative license? XD

A roll in case it helps:

Religion: 21
12:09, Today: Claire Larkspur rolled 21 using 1d20+2.

This is exactly the ceremony spell, which I think paladins and clerics have access to:



Traditionally, to prevent undeath the two common methods known by the Chauntean church are:

1) burial in a sanctified locations. Its why so many graveyards are near churches. One of the duties of acolytes and traveling clergy is to resanctify village graveyards, burial grounds, tombs...etc. This is easier said than done.

2) cremation, more commonly employed by the more militant deities. Does not always work - spectral undead don't exactly need a body, though cremation with certain rites may also help. An uncommon Chauntean rite is to cremate a body and then plant a sapling over the cremation site as a substitute for a burial. Yew is most commonly used, though other substitutes have been selected in the past.

Otherwise, you can attempt creative license and hope it works :)

Given the particular phrasing the Giant used before she was killed, I didn't interpret what she said as "I will return as a vengeful undead" so much as "What I'm attempting to complete won't be stopped with my death".  As in, it will be completed by others even without her, which tracks so far.

Just my two coppers though.

Huh.  Forgot about that spell.  25gp per doesn't help, but, I suppose that's an option to control player wealth issues :p

My take as well.  "Our task will not be stopped by my death".

Quick timeline clarification, given the news from Sir Bartimus indicates that there's a discrepancy in the current projected calendar.

The attack on Nightstone at the start of the game took place on the 5th of Eleint in the year 1486.  The Shieldmeet is a leap year day that only occurs once every four years and would've taken place in 1484 or 1488.  It also occurs between the end of the month Flamerule and the start of Eleasis, which are before our present month of Eleint.  In our current moment of game time, it is presently the 29th of Eleint (the Highharvestide festival and Moira's birthday are tomorrow!).

So... just fudge the "every four years" bit and say the Shieldmeet event has been extended to last until Highharvestide (the 30th of Eleint) instead, in order for Yartar to keep commerce/useful people in the area as a political maneuver?

Those crafty merchant/nobles.

I mean, it's what I would do in the Waterbaron's situation.

"Well, there's a whole bunch of danger brwing and we want to screw over Triboar by starving them of resources.  So let's hold a big Shieldmeet event and extend its duration all the way through Eleint!  Keep all the coin, artisans, guild reps, and mercenaries right here in Yartar.

Oh?  What's that, all you skilled people with lots of money?  Now it's time for the Highharvestide festival?  Well, you might as well stay here and enjoy our festivities!  And now it's time for a bunch of major religious holidays from the churches of Waukeen, Tyr, and Cyrrollalee right after?  Well, it would be a shame for all you merchants and mercenaries to miss out on those, so you might as well stick around a few more days..."

Also, for U'lin in particular: the next coming month is Marpenoth.  Apparently on the 3rd is a Gond-specific holiday called the "Day of Wonders", and on the 7th is an all-faiths holiday called "Stoneshar' which is all about being productive and starting new projects.  Seems like things he'd be keen on.  They are specifically holidays in Waterdeep, but it feels like the practice would surely spread further given the way the world works.

https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Day_of_Wonders
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Stoneshar

The way the Day of Wonders is described reminds me a lot of those Flugtag events where half the fun is seeing people making intentionally nonsense creations as part of the celebration.  ^^  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Bull_Flugtag

I could have sworn I calculated it correctly so it was only extended by a tenday and not an entire month. Thanks for catching this - I'll award Inspiration to a PC of your choice Moira for the help :)

What I'm going to do is just say they hijacked the Highharvestide festival to effectively host a second Shieldmeet (mostly bc of the giants, but also other reasons), since Highharvestide is also an event favored by Tymora, the church has buy-in as well.

Editing the original post now!

Let's go ahead and give that Inspiration to Zaiya, as she's been having a time of it lately and deserves a treat.

Good choice, M.

Wait! Who has Doderic's rod of flower-sprouting?

Do we still have those potions of giant speak or did they all get used up?

Can always use translator U'lin if so.

Doderic's Flower Staff: Doderic himself still has it.  Alternatively, if you want herbs that could be burned as incense, Moira does have her Heward's Handy Spice Pouch.

Giant Speaking Potions: Appear to have been used since I don't see them on the inventory list.  Otherwise they might've fallen through the cracks.

Giant Translation Services: U'lin or Moira.  In-setting, U'lin would be the better choice since he's a native speaker compared to Moira's second-hand technical fluency, is actually a Cleric, and is prone to grand oration to begin with.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:06, Mon 27 Sept 2021.

Doderic still has his staff.

The potions were all used during your previous stone giant encounter I believe. That was the intent.

Sad to see Ethgar leave, but at least we still have 5PCs which is plenty.

I would say that while Thente does not have Giant Prof specifically at the moment, he would know certain words and phrases due to his current uh. Condition. U'lin translating works too.

I had the worst stomachache and was basically KOd for most of yesterday. Sorry folks!

No worries! Hope you're feeling ok!

SPLITTING THE PARTY?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waa2ucfgVgQ

That's my line!  But seriously, does anybody in the party actually want to talk to the Waterbaron besides Moira?

Also, on a wholly unrelated note, I just saw this on Reddit and thought of U'lin:

https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/c...s_tomorrow_my_books/

https://imgur.com/a/wGLSH5v
This message was last edited by the player at 09:12, Thu 30 Sept 2021.

In reply to Moira Ruadh (msg # 141):

I mean, I don't want to split the party, but we've started these separate lines of action somewhat naturally by the situaton presented. We're also like... on the edge of a city now, so it shouldn't be dangerous to split the party.

Love it, Moira, love it.

I have to admit that I'm feeling.. cautious?  Uncertain?  About working on the Dream crafting.
I think it's partially about what hasn't been discovered/created in the world/timeline (so no propellers, for instance), and we don't have any special materials, so there's no metal crafting (and cannot use the divine crafting to manifest it).  It's probably partially 'what was done' v. what can we do, not wishing to over-express what the Dream's creator did/tried/explored already v. under-expressing, and how that plays into DM's view of the inventor (and Felgolas' involvement).

---

Does anyone ever see the suggestion without wincing?
And without that video playing in their heads?

U'lin would prefer if we didn't split the party, having a rough experience in the past, but also appreciates the need at times, and trying to balance the party desire to keep rushing ahead v. putting out the fires along the way.

U'lin isn't a stonemason, but is a crafter, and engineer of sorts, so it makes sense.
That being said, Zaiya is the only one that can de-magically-engineer the construct, so she needs to stay if we're not simply handing it off.
Thente and Claire are already into the burning and ceremony (U'lin and Moira can provide words).
U'lin is not good with Moira going into the city alone - she might be the most capable, and most comfortable in cities, but no one watching the back is a no-no.  Especially in the company of a rogue that U'lin and Thente don't like or trust.

so speaketh U'lin the bodyguard.


(also, maybe we can find some mithral in the city to start working on some engine and wing designs.)
DM, if we have mithral, can U'lin recraft it using the divine blessing into new forms?

---

Wing designs?  Flop down or pop out?  I'm leaning towards popout for better protection and concealability, and more gear shenanigans
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fEg_fkZLUA
or
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAXBF14eEAk
?

Agreed - though I think that rogue is more likely to come for Thente than any of the rest of you given Thente's strong words earlier.

Though remember IC'ly Ethgar is still with us, so he could accompany Moira into the city (and give her an extra set of eyes and/or a bardic inspiration for talking to the Waterbaron). So we could pair off until we get to a good "hold" point and Ethgar can be NPC'd off into the sunset by our illustrious GM.

---

If this wagon doesn't have a sweep wing design that can pivot forward for more controlled flight and sweep back for supersonic flight like an F-14 by the end of this I will highly disappointed! Thente gets to play Hollywood to U'lin's Maverick though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFXszIFkiAQ
This message was last edited by the player at 15:43, Thu 30 Sept 2021.

Love. It.
Not only show Felgolos it can fly, but beat him in a race.  Oh, yes.

In regards to splitting the party: Moira's thought is that in every instance where we've been dealing with the political/strategic side of things with authority figures, she's basically been the one to handle it, or at least take the lead, thus far.  Additionally, at the moment she doesn't completely trust Thente and U'lin's judgement; she's concerned that Thente would let his emotions get the better of him depending on how the Waterbaron behaved, and U'lin has the habit of ignoring plans and monologuing.  Given that the party is currently representing a weakened Triboar, she's inclined to limit variables in the equation.  If everyone in the group wants to be present for the meeting and offer input into how things go, that's another matter.

The thought was that Moira and Sir Bartimus would go into the city since they can basically serve as the representatives of their respective groups, while the remainder of said groups stay at the windmill to handle the Stone Giant corpse and prepare to deconstruct the monument.  The actual work of doing so, as well as rebuilding the windmill, isn't something even the combined parties can do themselves since they lack the proper skills.  We need to recruit help from within the city and the best way to do that is by getting an order from the Waterbaron, preferably while being paid to manage it given Zaiya's specialization.

As for Ethgar, having him come along as a DMNPC and eventually having him stay in Yartar is actually a good idea.  So far we've actually left a party member/NPC connected to the group in almost every place we've visited; Ceryna in Nightstone, Doderic in Amphail, and Emma in Triboar.  Having Ethgar linger in Yartar as a contact point with Stoor (assuming she also stays there) and to keep an eye on Uthgardt activity in the north actually works out really well.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:09, Thu 30 Sept 2021.

Don't disagree with any of those points!

Thente doesn't really have much to add until I know/find out the wood gathering situation and/or what's next steps for him

Man I love proactive players.

Re:Dream - toss things at me in the PMs U'lin. We can work stuff out. In general, I'm thinking some combination of 'U'lin innovates a few things' and 'U'lin finds blueprints/craftsmen to help'. I do want to enable your designs, but I'm hoping to also have U'lin make a few connections and trades along the way to do it.

As for mithril in the city, check out Bartimus' comment:



Once you acquire mithril (which I promise will not be cheap and will likely be a quest on its own depending on how you guys approach it), I'll say CDiv can shape small amounts of it (lets say 1 pound, about a daggers worth at a time). So U'lin can definitely use that over the course of a few days to steadily upgrade the Dream. While such a constant abuse of CDiv is not something I like, this feels like the sort of project Gond would love, so lets just say that things go a little smoother on that regard. (I also prefer not to limit utility abilities like this too much especially when they're being used for well. utility.)

RE:Wood for Thente - there's plenty of trees nearby. Collecting branches and dead wood is fine. Felling one might not be a good idea though - cities of this size usually have a guild or something that oversees forestry in the area, and they might not take well to someone randomly chopping one without a permit.

RE:Ethgar - I intend to have Ethgar follow Moira and have a rough plan for npc'ing him. Don't worry too much. It helps that he hasn't quite had a reason to stick entirely with the party, now that he is out of Triboar and is aware of his tribes' situation. Feel free to interact with him as an NPC, it might affect the actions NPC Ethgar takes even.

---

Since the party is mostly decided, I'm going to split a thread for Moira + Ethgar + Bartimus while the rest stay and clean up.

Might not put it up for another hour or so. But it will be up tonight :)

Can't tell if this is sarcastic?

Re: wood - ok. I'll post something about what Thente's doing with what he finds wood then.

It's not sarcastic! I consider you guys proactive and I like proactivity :)

Proactive players are a good thing!  It means we get ourselves into trouble so the DM doesn't have to.  :3

RE: Mithral and Channel Divinity: I love that U'lin is basically 3D printing a car one piece at a time.  If you really think about it, using Channel Divinity to shape various pieces or other creation-type spells could allow for some forms and designs that defy standard architecture/engineering.  Like flawlessly smooth, seamless hollow tubes or spheres, highly-precise measurements, weaving metal into a fabric-like structure, and so forth

Also, DM; what is the general level of technological advancement in this setting as you see it?  Between Gnomish inventions mentioned in the core books and some more unusual mechanical/magical vehicles/devices, it seems like there should at least be a fundamental understanding of tension engines and steam locomotion/engineering at the very least?
This message was last edited by the player at 00:37, Fri 01 Oct 2021.

Absolutely - especially that it can produce anything involving metal as a part, not the whole (or hole, as the pun forgives).

One of the elements that I am preserving is that technology and magic are deep but not widespread. The knowledge exists, but is rarely shared widely and tends to be hoarded.  Gond is actually a rarity in that regard, and his faith is relatively small comparatively. So while a lot of sophisticated devices exist they tend to be artisanal rather than industrial, which also limits certain ideas.

Ulins attitude of asking every crafter you've met so far to share their skills and ideas with him is unusual at best and downright rude at worst. Remember this is a society where the traditional training is done master to apprentice with techniques kept secret and passed down. Gnomish society is the most open about education in that regard (which I'm taking as the reason U'lin is so open as well), but even that is a fairly recent development.

And Gond's temples recording all innovations, and sharing with those of good-faithed mindset, would be a known aspect of the faith - and help support U'lin's openness ?  :)

The assumes the people you are speaking with agree with Gond. Innovation is not always welcome, even among creators. As is the free sharing of knowledge. But yes, it is known and expected. Most folks not in professions that require invention (note - the average craftsman is not an inventor) see a U'lins a Gondite and roll their eyes :P

There's also probably plenty of cases of people tossing on yellow robes and a broad-rimmed hat for the sake of basically performing corporate espionage by posing as Gondites.  Same way our Zhentarim "friend" from the very beginning of the game was posing as a Waukeenar to make herself seem credible.  People who are on the innovation side of things are probably real iffy about sharing their trade secrets with anyone claiming to be a follower of Gond.  Heck, being a genuine article may be even worse in some cases if the inventor wants to keep their designs under wraps for personal reasons or profits; sharing with a Gondite is basically giving it away to the world at large.

Hm... actually, now my brain is kind of smooshing together Gondites with an inverted Brotherhood of Steel from the Fallout series.  Like, militant extremist Gondites who basically force inventors to share their creations upon threat of violence.  "Technology and innovation are for the good of all.  You do not have a choice in the matter."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:00, Fri 01 Oct 2021.

One of the side effects of the gods being less able to directly intervene with things is also that they have a harder time enforcing specific dogmas, ore repudating pretenders. The PCs in this campaign are pretty unique in that you actually seem to be getting a degree of direct approval/influence from them.

I also want to point out that even within a church not all members necessarily agree with each other. You have extremists on both ends, and all the spectrum between. And thats not even going into splinter cults and what not. Some of these extremist clerics even continue to receive spells (though whether their spells are from the god in question is unsure - Faerun has historically shown certain gods can intercept prayers from another or even pose as a variant under the right circumstances), so who exactly is correct or wrong is deliberately left ambiguous.

Waukeen for example, is Neutral deity with one extreme end of the church probably seeing the Zhentarim as a necessary evil, while the other end would consider them a blight that must be exterminated at any cost. Church politics is messy :P

Chauntea might actually have the most cohesive church, if only because her base dogma is pretty loose anyway.

Waukeen's faithful makes for a messy bunch, all things considered.  Moira is of the "big picture" following, where her faith and behavior is based on the ultimate goal of Waukeen's teachings: that everyone be equally wealthy, have their needs fulfilled, and can trade freely with one another.

That's not the only teaching, however, and plenty of others get along just fine focusing entirely on Waukeen's approval of trade and commerce alone without concern for what that ends up as in the long run.  To say nothing of the fact that Waukeen doesn't really differentiate between legal above-the-board dealings and illicit under-the-table dealings.  A deal's a deal; so long as it's 1) carried through earnestly, 2)  her faithful gets the better end of the bargain and 3) does so without screwing over the other person, she doesn't really care otherwise.  That's why there's so many smugglers and black markets that actually do legitimately hold Waukeen's favor.

Moira's hatred of the Zhentarim is based on personal experiences and her faith.  She knows the Zhents ultimately want to create a stranglehold on commerce to monopolize all trade and wealth into their control.  That's in direct opposition to Waukeen's ultimate goal.  Further, just like they attempted at Nightstone, the Zhentarim (and other similar organizations) only seem like a boon or a necessary evil in the short term, while in the long term they'll always be a detriment to the community.  They victimize people by their very nature and practices, and Moira's very much a "defender of the commonfolk from oppression" type.

Has Moira talked about what the zhents did at nightstone, or is it common knowledge that ulin or his player should know?

It tickles me to imagine what radical Chaunteans would look like. Aggressive proselytizers of a gospel of modern agricultural methods? Slash-and-burn advocates who regularly clash with Rilifane's followers for elevating agrarian needs over conserving pristine nature? Soviet-style collectivization?

"Comrade, it appears you haven't met your agricultural quotas. Off to the gulag with you!"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 20:47, Fri 01 Oct 2021.

Thente/Moira/Claire all are aware of the zhent thing, and I'm pretty sure we've talked about it IC'ly in the past.

Now... whether U'lin was paying attention to the discussion or not... :D

Probably Pol Pots Rural Reform actually. Return to agrarian society, anti-intellectualism...etc.

The reason that Moira wanted to stop and talk with the party before entering Yartar proper was to actually address the Zhentarim issue, as they do have a known presence in Yartar.  While it's entirely reasonable to figure they've discussed it on the road prior in general, Ethgar wouldn't have been privy to those conversations and would need to be brought up to speed.

But that's not an issue now, sooooo...

To summarize what Moira would've covered as a refresher to what the party could likely well already know as off-screen conversation, Moira has concerns that she might be targeted by Kella Darkhope or her personal associates as a result of the actions at Nightstone, and that the others might get caught in the crossfire.  She is not, however, too concerned about greater consequences beyond that base-level grudge.  Her knowledge of the Zhentarim's inner workings leads her to believe that the larger criminal organization isn't going to bother with petty revenge and would just see getting run out of Nightstone either as a failed investment to be cut as a loss or a minor setback in their plans to be reconsidered much further down the line.

Moira's understanding of the matter is that if Kella does want revenge, it'd basically be a "personal project" not backed by her superiors within the Zhentarim, as indulging a grudge isn't profitable.  Kella would presumably be limited to her own resources and acting on her own accord, so fighting her wouldn't necessarily get the party in any hot water with the Zhentarim themselves.  As ever, when it comes to debts and responsibility, Moira's insistence is that it's her problem and not something for the others to have to deal with.  They're free to stay clear and not get involved, or even act like they don't know her in the case of U'lin and Zaiya since they joined in outside of Nightstone and could reasonably stay entirely clear of any blowback.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:50, Sat 02 Oct 2021.

Ooof, I've been grappling with some really bad insomnia the past few nights, I'm hoping it clears up soon, because I've still got a week of work ahead of me even after my vacation.

Brain is not braining good though.  I'll post when I can get it to line up.

Hope all is well GM!

Hope you're getting some sleep finally Zaiya!

So: Zhents tried to take advantage of the attack on Nightstone and set up some manner of protection racket, but the party was part of running them out of town instead?

In reply to U'lin (msg # 166):

Yes! Mostly Moira ken'd to the fact. Thente unsurprisingly just yelled at people :D

EDIT: and Moira set up the plan with Nightstone folk to stall the Zhents until we could send help from Waterdeep:
link to a message in this game

I don't know if we 100% know for sure that the plan worked or not, but I think we were told it did by Waterdeep people. It's been so long IRL it's hard to remember sometimes :D
This message was last edited by the player at 17:05, Tue 05 Oct 2021.

Ah, thanks Thente - makes much more sense.

Okay, insomnia is clearing up I think, an I've got some energy again, I'll get myself caught up after my shift.

Out of curiosity, has anyone checked the Stone Giant's body for personal effects?  Before we set it on fire, at least.

Don't think so! The obviously magic ones kinda disintegrated, but there might be other things! (Investigation from anyone searching)

Investigation? What's that precious :D

Thente has a hatchet, we also have multiple climbing kits with piton/hammer combinations that could work similar to a pickaxe. We also have a dungeoneering pack which has a crowbar in it.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:40, Sat 09 Oct 2021.

I can do it, and god willing I'll get ahead of the tide of stuff I need to keep track of to do it tonight!

Oh, I recall someone mentioning that we wanted to search the giant body before we burn it. Since Claire's up on the hill with the body, I'd like to do that. @GM What check will that be? Investigation or Perception?

Investigation!

If Thente or U'lin want to help out with dismantling the monolith, it would be an Athletics and/or Masons' Tools (Strength) check to remove the next layer without damage.

Claire can also attempt!

U'lin knows that such are not his areas of strength (pardoning the pun), but he will help and watch, to learn more/help action.

Thente could use enlarge to do it for adv on the check, but like U'lin it's not his strong suit

Claire?

I think U'lin has the best Str score among the three of us. Thente can help to give U'lin adv on the check and he can guidance you. Or Claire can help and Thente can guidance.

Oh dear, goodness.  Really?  +2 on the check it is.  Maybe a bit of Gondance too :)

Thente is right! I also have a +2 STR. I've rolled in case we need it, but I don't think it is going to be very helpful.

The investigation check on the other hand seems perfectly fine! I'm going to be busy with work until tomorrow night, so don't wait on my post if you want to go ahead to explain the results of the roll GM.

Investigation: 17
13:13, Today: Claire Larkspur rolled 17 using 1d20-1.  Investigation.

Strength: 4
13:14, Today: Claire Larkspur rolled 4 using 1d20+2.  Strength.

Whew.  Glad I rolled first! :)

In reply to U'lin (msg # 180):

Yeah, Claire and Thente are both proficient I think, but I think our str scores leave something to be desired until I can find some gauntlets or something else happens :D

XD

As for matters of STR checks and such, do recall that Moira intends to come back with workers for this very task.  So if y'all don't feel confident in making the check, just focus on handling the Giant pyre for the time being and wait until we have some back up.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:09, Mon 11 Oct 2021.

;)

Ugh, I'm sorry, today was a terrible comedy of errors and I don't think I'll be back in the saddle until tomorrow evening at the very earliest.

Free at last and now on vacation!

Now to get back in the swing of things, hmm...

DM, what's the ground foliage in area?
Windage?


U'lin would be concerned about grass fire from a big bonfire.  Especially in breadbasket land, and especially in trees/grass/windmill area.

Strong winds and thick grass. Definitely an issue that would come up (and that I was going to push on you guys later as a minor annoyance if you didn't handle it well).

If U'lin has ideas on how to minimize the spread, drop them in!

I'm going to try to push Moira's thread along so we can skip back together again and enter the town proper.

I'm inclined not to move it too deep into the forest to avoid starting a big fire! Does U'lin have any engineering solutions?

Tarps or some kind of erected barrier to help block the wind and keep any sparks funneled into one area, maybe?

U'lin tossed a few ideas.

Thente has Gust of Wind that he can also set to blow in a counter direction to prevailing winds.

Not sure how much that will help, but he'll keep it in mind to dig the pit so that it runs parallel to the wind so that his Gust of Wind has a good chance of blowing over as much of the fire/pyre as possible and working counter to the prevailing winds.

So, uh, would Zaiya count as an "Expert' for breaking that code?  Arcana + Giant and all that.

Or is it more plot hook stuff.

She does! But she also will need like. A library and a bunch of time.

With the stone mason folk - are they going to conveniently arrive at the site a little bit after Moira and Sir Bartimus return?  Or is this going to be a case where the party (or at least a portion of them) have to spend the night outside of town keeping an eye on the monolith?

The former XD

It will take a bit of time, but about 2-3 hours after Moira arrives, a wagon of disgruntled masons will show up.

Is the head being returned to the windmill? if so I'll post about thente taking it from the dragonborn and putting it into the area of the pyre and then lighting it.

Unless we're waiting on anything else before we light it up?

It is I believe. Bartimus has it.

Back from California! Will try to get a post in responding to Thente today.

Cool, I've been a little busy the last few days so posting has been slow. We're entering holiday season though, which for me means more free time (not sure about the rest of you guys).

I'll update sometime tomorrow once I see Claires post. Don't forget that Six-Robins is talking to Claire as well!

Halloween decorations have been up for a while.  Pumpkin carving slowed by cool weather (and using artificial pumpkins has necessitated outside work, but I'm loving the ability to keep them from year to year to build a collection, instead of throwing out 7-8 carvings each year, but I digress)).

Christmas decoration repair part2 should be commencing next week, but won't be going outside for a few weeks.

I've been crashing hard all day. Really enjoyed the posts from you all, but I can't find the energy in my to advance things tonight. Things should -hopefully- be better tomorrow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTKgyZZP5KQ

A.K.A. Thente is setting the RP stage for Fighter 3 (Rune Knight) when all of a sudden he'll be proficient in smith's tools and the giant language (that's already started, so time to get going on the smith's tools!) :D

Way to do it, nod!

Moira's vote would be to get everyone into the city and settled at a properly safe inn for the night.  Sir Bartimus mentioned the Happy Hall; is that somewhere the party could stay, or is it just a temple?  Otherwise, the Great Hall should work, so long as it's a secure place where the wagons can be safe.

Also, Moira would advise on securing U'lin's new wagon before heading into town.  Tarps and rope to cover it up so it won't draw as much attention, and once they actually do park somewhere for the night, chaining the wheels and really locking it down to the surrounding structures so it can't get stolen away easily.  She'll also keep the cursed sword on her person, albeit entirely wrapped and secured so there's no accidental exposure.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:34, Tue 02 Nov 2021.

Seconding Moira's plan! Looking a little further ahead, Claire will also want to go see the Chaunteans when the opportunity presents - probably after Stoor is revived.

Yeah, getting Stoor delivered and revived should be the first priority on the following morning.  It also depends on when all the festivities get underway, as that might make things easier or more difficult to navigate the city the longer we wait throughout the day.

That said, it might be easier to find where Stoor's contact is ourselves and then have them come to Stoor's body, rather than drive the wagons around or tote the coffin around the streets.

U'lin will probably sleep in the new wagon, once he's done reading and making notes.

*Moira looks at U'lin.

*U'lin looks away.
"I did say 'probably' sleep.  And when 'done.'  Look - a bird!"

Hey, if part of the wagon security is "giant armored man sat inside it at all times", that works too.  Just be sure to get your spell slots back at some point!

In reply to Moira Ruadh (msg # 209):



Stoor's body needs to be first priority. I think getting it to the Tymoran temple should be ok based on the SEER's words.

Sounds peachy

re the stones:
How many?
Size/weight?
Are we worried about runes as magical, or just potential use to party?
Are the masons still around?
Are there non-runed stones as well?  That we could give them the safe stones, and we take the dangerous, potentially explosive runeworks?

My understanding is that all the stones have some runes on them of some sort.

Presumably some of the work wasn't done by the giant, so perhaps there are some stones still about for the stoned folks :)

Sorry, been procrastinating out of fear of my recent run of dice luck.  Anyone able to give me Advantage through helping me or something?

The Wizard NPC from Sir Bartimus' party, if nobody else?  I've got Inspiration hanging around I could send your way as well, if necessary.  There's also Guidance from U'lin and Bardic Inspiration from Ethgar (if we can NPC his class abilities) to add on, just in case.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:00, Wed 03 Nov 2021.

Thente can cast guidance as well, but the only one of us who is proficient in arcana is  you, so presumably it'd come from the NPC wizard in the other party to get adv. I think.

I swear, it is the weirdest damn thing that I somehow keep forgetting that Thente is a caster.

In reply to Moira Ruadh (msg # 220):

I wish we had emoji's here. This deserves a :rofl: one :D

He's less of a caster and more of a force of nature dispenser. If I had it to do over again I'd probably structure/build him differently with the new options and such since we first started this.

although I JUST realized that with Thente's wisdom I could multi with Tempest Cleric... yeesh I'm amateur hour over here. Not going to pivot plans at this point, but yeesh.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:34, Thu 04 Nov 2021.

I dunno, Thente did have a major "character transformation" event recently and it's possible we'll level up soon.  Maybe GM will let you rework your numbers a little?

I'm pretty set with Moira, thankfully.  Rogues are dead simple to stat out and are basically foolproof for long term leveling.

Elana would certainly grant Advantage to Zaiya for this, especially since the party is cooperating so well. Take that guidance and advantage then Zaiya!

I am actually okay for Thente getting a rebuild. We can discuss this in a PM, but a big reason for the OK is that there is a major IC reason for it that justifies a lot of changes for Thente rn.

Okay to wagon security.

Happy Hall and Great Hall are both fine - Happy Hall is more the temple itself, which may fit Stoors quest better. Great Hall is the public facing admin building, funded by the temple.



About three dozen of various sizes ranging from a finger to a man's torso. Quite heavy. You'll probably overburden the horses if you tried to take them all, though the city is right there.

Masons still around. Runes are not magical NOW but they are obviously potent magical reagents. At the very least, enchanters (the item making kind) will be interested.

All the stones have markings on them. Not runes per say. OOC, they're more like circuit diagrams.

The stone giant carved all of them by hand. It's what they do.

The masons want the stones- the more senior members clearly recognize the value. You'll need to confront or persuade them for it.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:48, Thu 04 Nov 2021.

Alright, so say we try and make a stay for the night at the Happy Hall (assuming they take "pilgrims"), as we can really go anywhere nearby to get dinner if we feel like it so long as we have somewhere safe to stow the wagons.  That'll let us get to Stoor either this same night or first thing in the morning, depending on who/want is necessary to perform the raising.

Meanwhile, we can take what portion of rune-inscribed rocks we feel like/can finagle a deal for, then leave the rest for the masons.  We don't actually have any legitimate claim to the stones beyond "finder's keepers", after all, but I kind of feel like the masons don't really do either and this would end up being a case of things just "falling through the cracks".  It might be worthwhile to make copies of the runes and circuit carvings, if nothing else.

Also, presumably the masons can handle filling in the pyre ditch?  If not tonight, then at some point during all the coming reconstruction?  Or is that something the party is on the hook for?
This message was last edited by the player at 02:02, Thu 04 Nov 2021.

They could! They may try to bargain for more stone though...

"Bargaining with other people's wealth" is a win-win situation for Moira.  :3  Not that she really has any sense of attachment to magical components though, so she might not be the best one to gauge by in this case.  ^^;

That'll be a 23 then!

We do have a letter:

link to a message in this game

I completely forgot that there was a reward for delivering her body and personal effects :D

Yep, I actually had to go back through the original posts just to remember the name of who we were delivering to.  ^^;  That, and to compile all the items we're actually returning along with the body.  Like I mentioned in narration though; Moira isn't certain about what's safe to mention.  Yartar is actually a little bit of a dangerous city at the moment.

Who's carrying the Handy Haversack at the moment, by the way?  Was it Claire or Thente?

Also, DM; in case this Halfling lady knows Stoor personally or recognizes any of her belongings on sight, it should be noted that Moira is wearing Stoor's Nightvision Goggles up on her forehead right now.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:09, Mon 15 Nov 2021.

Historically Thente was carrying the haversack, but with my absence and vision coma I'm not sure who's got it at this point.

Side note, I can't wait for Fighter 3 and the Stone Rune for 120 ft darkvision.

Safe to say Claire's probably carrying it at this point, or it's on Glory.

I was running through the list of items Stoor was carrying and wanted to confirm what we're returning with her body, as that directly relates to what we get as a payout too.  Also, Doderic mentioned that he had a lockbox for her to deliver from a "Ilphar Amberlight".  Can we assume that Doderic would've handed it off to the party with his own instructions when they parted ways at Amphail?



So to the best of my recollection, we've used the Healing Potion and Potion of Climbing already, and all the rations from the Dungeoneering Kit were immediately handed out to the Nightstone survivors.  We've also made use of the Healers' and Climbers' Kits, in case that counts as expending them.  The Hand Crossbow was given to a Nightstone Soldier during the Goblin Cave raid, so I'm uncertain where that ended up in the long run.

Have we taken all the coin/jewels since those were mentioned as being up for grabs in Stoor's letter?  At the time they were initially recovered, Thente stowed them into the Haversack separately.

Obviously we'd want to keep really useful items like the Nightvision Goggles and the Handy Haversack, but I suppose we should be prepared to give them up if the situation calls for it.  ^^;

From: link to a message in this game

So we divided up some things, including the actual coins/wealth she had I think.

I think the coins were included in this division: link to a message in this game

I believe short of her personal artefacts (which includes the handy haversack, the goggles and the journals + maps - basically stuff that has the LA or SEERs symbol on it) Stoor mentioned that you guys could have everything else.



"Box" here refers to the Silver Lockbox (Unopened, still warded)

Yes to the lockbox from Doderic.

Ah! Great point.

So I think we all between us the relevant things that were mentioned in the notes. Did Doderic keep the ritual spellbook?

I remember Doderic’s player mentioned OOC that he considered all that party stuff at one point.

I believe Stoors book is still with you. Doderic only took his share of the gold and starting items at that time.

Waiting to see if anyone wants to do anything before the priestess returns. Will update sometime tomorrow evening.

Getting smashed by work now, but I don't think Claire has much to do right now. If I can, I'll try to get a flavour post in before tomorrow evening, but feel free to move it along regardless.

Seems like Zaiya's schedule is on the rough side as well again, likely.  It is the season for it... this time of year is when RPOL games always suffer the hardest.

It just cleared up today, let me see if there's anything I can reply to...

Actually, come to think of it... Moira is the only member of the current party who actually knows Stoor, isn't she?  ^^;  Stoor was a direct contact of Ceryna and Doderic at the start of the game, while Moira is established as having a few brief, professional interactions with her in years past.

Did Claire and Thente ever meet her at all in Nightstone before the attacks?

Nope! Claire was literally just returning home on annual leave when big rocks dropped on her house XD

Yea unfortunately the Stoor hook became dead as people dropped out, only Moira and Zaiya have passing acquaintances with her atm. I think its fine since the games evolved as well.

I'm going to assume since folks are busy, posting rates will slow - which is fine! This is meant to be a more "low stakes" segment (for now xD) though some of you might have noticed seeds in the story already.

I'll move ahead soon then since folks have indicated they have nothing to add.

Something else we have to focus on during our downtime is getting our inventories in order.  ^^;  I've been talking with the DM via PM on upcoming purchases for the next leg of things, and realized my own stock is a little muddled and I'm uncertain exactly how much hard cash Moira has in total.  It's probably a good idea that we take this opportunity to audit and tidy our Loot spreadsheet and personal inventories to make sure we've got everything squared away.

Similarly, we have things to sell and investigate now that we're going to be in civilization for a little while.  I did a quick run-down from the spreadsheet that's by no means conclusive, so I encourage everyone to pipe in if I missed anything or if anything on the lists is out of place.



We also have a lot of items hanging around that we've never gotten the chance to really follow up on.  Stoor herself is likely a good source of information on some, while others we can do on our own.  Also, does anyone in the party speak Draconic?  I know we've got two items that enable fluency in Draconic, but nobody's ever actually used them as far as I'm aware.

In reply to Moira Ruadh (msg # 239):

I'd talked about maybe having some connections with Stoor originally, but that didn't pan out when we actually got into the game.

Now that we're in a legit market, we should sell off everything we don't want at this point and reconcile coins and stuff so we have a fresh start moving forward.

Yep, and being that this is going to be a major mercantile spot with everyone coming in for the festival, it's the best opportunity we have to upgrade our gear as well.  Improved weapons/armor, various equipment, consumables, etc.

Thente can buy some armor here so he can either wear it or practice in it for when he gets his first fighter level too!

Bascially, we need a budget for everyone.

(Also I need to figure out how to badger U'lin into crafting Zaiya a sweet-ass Athame of Power or something from the bits and bobs we've salvaged)

Might be worthwhile selling some of the extra items I haven't used in a few years too XD Hoard mentality is REAL.

No kidding.  I've been trying hard to avoid that myself; in another game I play a Divination Wizard who's prone to collecting a little bit of EVERYTHING she can for the sake of Scrying/Teleporting/etc, so she has an overwhelming inventory.

Moira thankfully packs pretty light; the most excess stuff I have is outdated gear (spare daggers, shortswords/bows, arrows), but she has good reason to hold onto that stuff as a character beat.

In reply to Moira Ruadh (msg # 248):

Mainly Thente just has what he started with at this point since the haversack is elsewhere and the goggles are with Moira.

Could probably do to shed his light crossbow, and his 25 lb hunting trap! :D Though that did prove useful once...

U'lin is always available to help craft, Z.

I don't have a clue what we have for stock and coin/supplies, so I'm no help there.  I was trying to find what we have left after the wagon swap, and I'm quite unsure.

The salvage retrieved from the lair is another issue, as I'm not certain if there is reward for recovery, or it's nothing, or it's ours free-and-clear to sell away.


We had a bit of road trip to visit 102yo Grandma for her birthday (and did 16hrs with a 3.5 yo!  She was awesome.  Daddy so impressed.) and back to workworld.  I had hoped to post while down there more, but Mommy kept inviting family over, and finding work for me.  Quite unfair. :)


I'll try very hard to put a post up, but please feel free to advance if not :)

I'm not sure what's more impressive; that you've got a 102 year old granny or that your small child made that long a drive without imploding.  Kudos to both.

As for the stuff from Felgolos; it was all magically analyzed and sorted out earlier in terms of raw wealth.  For magic items there, we've got the very much evil "Cyric's Touch" dagger which I think everyone was pretty much set on having destroyed because it's super dangerous, and the Purple Robe of Many Vestments, which is a shapeshifting outfit that eats other outfits, which I would imagine we'd sell if nobody wanted it for themselves.

There's the hunting horn as well, which was identified as a "Horn of the Hunt Caller".  It's pretty much supposed to be an Ethgar-exclusive item because it's very closely tied with the Uthgardt, but he's not with the party anymore, so it's kind of left up in the air.  It's cursed too, but could be sold as a collector's piece so long as there's ample warning not to attune to it.

We've also got things on the list like "Incomplete Giant's Strength Potions" and "Giants' Blood Pills", which I'm not quite sure what those are set for in the end or if anyone called dibs on them as alchemical stuff.

  She's been good on our shorter jaunts, but that's an awfully long way in a car seat, yet she was amazing.  She was excited to go, excited to return.  Participating on projects w/ mommy, providing directions on the phone map, pointing out pumpjacks... boy she crashed hard when she was home, but what a trooper.

---

I recall them as being potions/ingredients for Claire to play

I intend to sit down sometime Saturday and do a collation through the past threads on items. But yes, the festival is where the party can liquidate things and also look to acquire items. Most mundane and common gear purchases can be handwoven, but I do want to do a full shopping trip kind of thing for the group sometime soon :)

Also, wow 102 years old. Congrats to your grandmother U'lin, hope she continues to have a blessed and healthy life.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:14, Fri 19 Nov 2021.

Thx, GM.

Her new place has already done wonders.  She polka'd at our wedding, and she was in her late 80s then (don't do maths on it, clearly time warp somehow), but she's lost much muscle mass the last couple years - lonely, because her friends were gone from her old place, didn't want to eat, so didn't have energy, so didn't take her pills/drink enough, so health ran down.  Stint into hospital, food, water, iron pills, and suddenly she's 100% again (102%?).
Go home, same pattern, back into hospital a couple months later.  Two days later, all good, back to...

Now, she didn't like being moved into her new place, because it's only a single room, but gods.. she's eating full meals like roast beef, salad, potatoes, desert... having tea and toast in between/before bed.  She was grousing about only her one room (she only ever did use one, but I digress), but conversationally slipped multiple times about how she and her friends socialize already about the construction, the kids, the rabbits, and have their preferred social lounge (really?), and she has started back knitting and doing puzzles and word searches - get that brain, and those hands back in action!  Super glad to see.  She didn't see us first when we arrived, and watching her face lit up, chatting with new friends at supper, good colour in her face - well worth the trip, even before Alexis started banging on the window because she was so excited to see Grandma, and all the silver heads turned and started grinning, and waving back to her.

Little things are big things.

My grandma died last year at 100 and a few months. She had a goal to live to 100 to beat her sister, then she did and decided that was enough living I guess?

Glad you still get yours a little longer and glad she seems to be settling into her new surroundings well (even if she grumbles about the one room)!

I got a covid shot over the weekend and it's kicking in harder than I thought. Just chiming here to let you guys know I'm around.

Rest while you can.  The first shot kicked my butt.  >_<  Thankfully my second wasn't as rough, so I'm hoping my upcoming booster won't be as bad either.

Had next to nothing from either for any of our household, thankfully.
Worst was a 15min sore shoulder for me, run down for a night for wife, but pretty light.

Reactions seem pretty varied.  My parents didn't have any side-effects at all while my sister just got really lethargic the day after.  I was perfectly fine the entire day and thought I wouldn't have any side-effects to endure, only to get severe chills and body aches throughout the entire night.  It was awful.

In reply to Moira Ruadh (msg # 259):

2nd shot ko'd me for 2-3 days, first shot nothing.

I'm hoping the booster is kind when I get it

Exactly so.  We were prep'd for being sidelined for a week.

We do have NPC Ethgar to hang around outside and tend to the wagons, if nothing else.  He's the furthest detached from Stoor and could reasonably not want to head inside a fortified temple, being an Uthgardt and all.

Thanks for the the well wishes.

Ethgar is minding the wagons outside, yes.

Booster is indeed kicking my ass. Basically having intermittent sleep atm. On the bright side, free Krispy Kreme donut :)

Right, right.  Let's keep the players group together :)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Happy thanksgiving!

Do your local Halfling proud!  Eat a bunch, spend time with family, have a nap!

Happy thanksgiving to those of you celebrating it a bit late :)

Daughter fractured her arm in 2 places yesterday on a charity walk (she was scooting). Heater broke today.

Other than that it was a great Thanksgiving here!

Oh goodness.  Glad she's okay.

My brain reads scooting as "dog dragging bum across ground" not the tricks with a footpower scooter (that I had to google so I didn't sound as old and out of touch with the hip lingo).

In reply to U'lin (msg # 270):

Haha no, no dog around here sadly, but I could see one of my kids tripping over a dog that's scooting like that and breaking something!

She's only 5, so no tricks either. Three wheeled scooter, and she leans too far forward when trying to get a big push off to keep up with big sister. She just stopped her fall this time with her elbow (no pads).

Ah, of course.  Have to be as good as the big kids.

Our little one just turned 4.
Poppy took her sledding.
She turned around, and politely chewed him out for nearly sending her into the trees (they were a good fifteen feet away, but when you're only a few feet high, it seems worse?)

So, what's our priority right now?  Is the reward for returning Stoor being issued by the Sister currently, or is that something Stoor herself hands out after she's revived?  If there's nothing else for us to do in the meantime or any further questions, should we move on to the Grand Hall?  Or should we just narrative handwave that and skip straight to the next morning with Stoor's revival?

I mean we're at the end of a very long day with a fight and burial and all that kind of stuff. I'm sure we're ready for some sleep/rest.

So my vote is we find our bunks and sleep the pains of the day away and figure out all the stuff with Stoor in the AM.

Yeah, that sounds about right.

makes sense

The reward will be issued by the Sister, I will be updating in a bit :)

Narrative handwave will happen soon.

Where do you guys want to rest btw? Grand Hall?

Grand Hall, yeah.  I'm almost tempted to have Moira stay the night at the Happy Hall just to keep an eye on things and chat with the sisters, but it's probably best to just keep everyone together and have her stick with the party.

Also, current IC dealings remind me solidly of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKZJdaiJF84
This message was last edited by the player at 09:10, Wed 01 Dec 2021.

Pretty much. Its a Tymoran thing.

This is one of those times where it's very much a case of our characters being too sensible for their own good.  ^^;  As a player eager to see what sort of stuff the DM puts together, my immediate desire is to go for the Mystery Box over gold any day.  Moira, as a reasonable merchant, would be having exactly none of that.

Yeah, sensible and... sheltered? I mean you're talking about A THOUSAND gold vs. some mystery thing. Thente's already holding more money than his parents probably ever had their whole lives and this would DOUBLE that.

OOC I very much want to know what it/they is/are, but I cna't see Thente going for the gold.

The more sensible among us may note that the 2nd reward option was three questions of a goddess.

Honestly I'm not sure which is practically worth more. 1k gp or getting answers from a god.

But those questions are a bit beyond Thente when there is a 1,000 gp promissory note staring him in the face.

If Claire, Ulin, or Zaiya have something to add to the decision, go ahead and put it in IC'ly but I think Thente's voiced what he needs to on the question.

DM correct me if I'm wrong, but I was reading that second option less as "Tymora will answer a question for you" and more "we'll provide church services instead of making you pay for such, among them being communion where you might get lucky and have some divine insight cast your way", which is basically what all communion is?

OOC - She is offering the use of the Commune spell on your behalf, along with misc. healing services had anyone in the party required it (aka Thente if he hadn't returned for example).

Hm... more useful than I was expecting, but yes-or-no replies aren't what we need at the moment, I'd think.

In reply to Moira Ruadh (msg # 284):

She didn't say they had to be used right now per se.

I mean don't get me wrong, Thente is on board with 200 gp for services rendered, I was just pointing out that option #2 isn't nothing.

@GM - I hope once we get past the scene you'll reveal what the mystery offering was so we can suitably beat ourselves up for not taking it? :D

IC wise no. OOC? Maybe xD

U'lin as PC says nope.  Jerred as player says oh my yes, let us try the surprise!  Not just because I don't see the faith hosing over folk that have brought their model explorer home yet again, but because I love the flavour of the new items.

It's like entering dungeon, finding two doors:
Choice A: enter treasure vault, and done dungeon.
Choice B: explore the dungeon!  Oh, and reach the treasure vault eventually.

How could we say no?

No worries, the entire festival is sponsored heavily by the Tymoran church so theres plenty of similar opportunities up ahead.

I feel like Claire as a character would go for gold as well. She's not drunk enough or feeling like the stakes are low enough to gamble with the fates of Nightstone citizens/Moira's debt. As a player though, I'm all for the surprise!

Just as a fun note of realization, this game's first post was on January 10, 2019.  We're coming up on three years of solid campaign activity soon!  Helluva thing, everyone.  :3

 Wow!!!

So, how's everyone doing?  It's a busy time of year.

Doing well.

Little one is better now that she's in a cast. Already only 2 more weeks in it since in the end it was a clean break.

Work is crazy, but that feels like a near constant for the last two years or so.

We're not traveling for the holidays this year, so in many ways it feels/seems easier than any year past on the holiday/stress front.

Our VERY BIG GIRL^TM, tyvm, has turned 4, which is very important.  This was the first birthday that was so terribly important, and sadly a very limited party because of COVID regulations here... still had her parties though!


All are well, save a little tickle/cold that's doing the rounds.


Last night, Mommy refused to put the little girlie to bed on time, gave in to all the stalls, and really, really should know better, but... overtired, meltdowns going to sleep, didn't sleep well, had a very bad morning, flailing around, screaming.

Daddy had to put her back to bed, holding her through temper tantrum (like wow..  she has full-bore, can't speak) until she could weather it.  Doesn't happen often, but oi.  Each time I expect her to not want to talk to Daddy, but we had a little rest w/ her (she requested Daddy stay).

From flailing and screaming to holding Daddy's thumb, giving a big hug, and telling him she loves him so much, thank you, and that she loves Daddy the most in the world.

Daddy's a little bit of a puddle/mess.

I've uh, recently started playing FFXIV again and underestimated how much it would consume my time. This and some work-related stuff is why I haven't been updating as often.

Currently trying to get my schedule back to normal and sort of wean myself off the initial "restarting a game" rush/addiction thing so i can fit my other hobbies back in again >_<

I've been trying to get back into FFXIV as well with the new expansion opening up, but my hardware isn't letting me.  >_<  Every time I try to run the game, my old-and-dying GPU chokes and hard crashes my system.  I need a replacement, but there's no way I'm getting one because of bitcoin miners and card scalpers.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:30, Tue 07 Dec 2021.

I've been playing a lot of FFXIV recently as well. Lots of things to do in the new expac. Sorry to hear about the hardware issues, as well as the server troubles some have been having. I've been fortunate to be on a relatively low population server, so no problems getting into the game for me.

the perks of not having played video games in almost a decade... more time and money for D&D :D

I haven't allowed myself to touch that game again.  If WoW nearly sent my wife homicidal years ago, into FFIV would be... imprudent.

Really glad I never got into WoW.  I remember it hitting the height of its initial popularity (back when they had celebrities doing commercials for it) back when I was in college, and it totally devoured a bunch of my friends' entire lives.

loved the high-end theory-crafting, knowing how to use your abilities to survive, and the team-work of play - huge plusses.  Really rewarded those that took the time to learn how to play their classes, and I loved playing with macros/key assignments to have everything on the keyboard just so.  Some amazing graphic work, especially for its time.

Played pretty much everything, but loved druids.  Different styles, but could be really specced out differently, bear tanks, cat DPS, tree ranged, tree healing.  Then toss in the shapechanging.  So much fun.

The grind was my least favourite, but definitely enjoyed the teamwork questing and raiding.  That, of course, was my wife's least favourite, because she didn't have 110% of my attention for hours at a time :)

Yea sometimes I feel like the high-level raiding community would have been fun to be a part of, especially when I hear the stories/videos. But then people mention the ridiculous levels of drama and time consumption and then I feel like it was probably for the best I never got very hardcore with my game choices.

Yeah, I remember playing a game called RIFT many years ago which was similarly focused around world raid events.  It was a neat game, but it very quickly became no fun at all because it was basically a second job and full of big egos running the major guilds.

I like FFXIV far better than any MMO I've played before, with maybe The Secret World coming in close.  It's far more relaxing and welcoming than anything else.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:21, Wed 08 Dec 2021.

I don't have any questions foor them other than... what are the odds of winning any/one of the raffles?

Luckstone'd be nice prize!

Also, is the raffle limited to one ticket a day, or can we buy a bunch to improve our chances?  I recall that we'd said in PM that we could buy a bunch of Silver Tickets, but I don't think we'd ever confirmed about the Blue Tickets?
This message was last edited by the player at 09:06, Wed 08 Dec 2021.

I am pretty much going to simulate a raffle. Everyone either roll or pick a number between 1 and 200 for the Blue tickets, and 1 and 2000 for the White. You can buy multiple White tickets but technically only one Blue ticket per person. I'll draw and put up the prizes. Only the top 10 Blue and 50 White get prizes.

Yea the odds aren't super good it's meant more as a fun thing.

Also edited the prize slightly- the Elvish Longbow is not +1, however the arrows created from the Quiver count as magical when used as a set.

For reference:

Elvish Livewood Longbow and Quiver:
- requires attunement
- as a bonus action, the attuned wielder may "grow" 10 wooden arrows from the Quiver. When fired from the matching Longbow, the arrows count as magical for DR/DI purposes.
- the quiver and longbow must be watered and given at least ten hours of sunlight a week or go dormant.

One Blue per person puts the kibosh on my original plan, but Moira will still buy Silver Tickets in excess to hand out to urchins as discussed prior.  For herself, Moira will buy one Blue Ticket and ten Silver Tickets tonight.  If the Silver Tickets can be redeemed at any time, she'll buy the batch for handing out as well, but if they can only be redeemed the same day they're purchased, she'll wait until morning for the urchins' tickets.

Blue Ticket Number: 51
Silver Ticket Numbers: 149, 219, 512, 536, 582, 991, 1045, 1087, 1292, 1748
This message was last edited by the player at 09:31, Wed 08 Dec 2021.

Similar in thoughts/plans here.

OOC:
11:26, Today: U'lin rolled 189 using 1d200.  blue ticket.

11:27, Today: U'lin rolled 8644 using 10d2000 with rolls of 283,1435,282,942,1853,651,525,935,690,1048.  silver tickets.

That all sounds good to me too.

1 Blue + 10 silver for Thente as well.


Blue Ticket: 13
Silver Ticket: 330, 466, 572, 620, 1051, 1176, 1298, 1420, 1634, 1701

I'll go with that too!

Blue Ticket: 29

Silver Tickets: 234, 1632, 458, 1079, 674, 549, 1412, 1219, 1807, 1028

Yeah, Endwalker's been eating what little free time I have at work >_<  Especially since I'm invested in the plot and trying to avoid spoilers.  It's rough.

Anyone want to ask about the Grand Hall's features, or are we good with just going with the letter?

Thente at this point very much just wants to go to sleep. He feels like they'll have time to explore the Hall's features on the 'morrow, so to speak.

Yea am aware that the party just wants to rest. I hope these transitions aren't too taxing, its mostly meant to set the scene.

I didn't want presume the party would hand the letter over, but I also figure folks want to move to the next day.

If there's little opposition, I am okay with a token post where Moira or similar hands the letter over, and I'll have a final post wrapping up the day.

Though - what time do folks want to get up? Bright and early? Predawn? xD

Sorry, my comment wasn't meant to be swipe or a snipe at all if you took it as such.

I was just communicating Thente's position on the question from Moira/IC scene.

Thente'll sleep until light at least or until woken by someone.

I'm content with whenever, U'lin just puttering away with designs/reading as he communes with Gond, and then waits to go selling with Moira to free up funds for mithral

oo... that is a very pretty trailer.