Come on in and kick back and chat it up with your fellow players!!
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 04:23, Fri 08 Mar 2019.

Hello! ♡

Just as an FYI to both players and potential players I like to post little demographic tidbits as I search through the RTJs...


Race
Humans - 7
Elf - 3
Dwarf - 2
Half-Elf - 2
Half-Orc - 1
Gnome - 1
Goliath - 1


Gender
Male - 11
Female - 6

Class
Sorcerer - 4
Fighter - 4
Barbarian - 3
Warlock - 2
Druid - 1
Paladin - 1
Cleric  - 1
Bard - 1

For those waiting in the wings, there is ~1-2 spots still open.

Wow, I'm honestly amazed that there is such a large representation of sorcerers. (And a bit honored that I was accepted with such competition)

What are the race/class/genders of those accepted so far?

Elf, half-elf, goliath,human, halfling

Hi gang! Sole cleric applicant here, apparently. Nice to meet you!

For those waiting in the wings I will be leaving the two slots open over the weekend to allow people time to flesh out their requests as I have a lot of “placeholder” requests. If you have submitted a request or even been rejected already feel free to make a new submission.

First of all note that the below is a general guideline. RTJs with lots of care and attention and effort put into them will always be considered heavily no matter what the specific details of the character are

Right now the party has a lot of non-human foreigners so local humans will be considered slightly more.

The party has a cleric, ranger, fighter, bard, and sorcerer so other classes like barbarian, rogue, wizard, monk, druid and warlock will be considered  more.

The party is currently three female and two male but we will ultimately have an odd number so I consider this an even split and not important for party composition.

The party has only 1-2 front liners compared to 3 ranged or support  so a front line fighter will be considered slightly more.

---

If you do not make it in I  encourage you to join as lurkers if you are interested in following along.

I'm native if my narration didn't make that clear. I also am functionally human. Just sharp ears.

Yeah, I'd like more men. Big hunky men!

Shalimar looks crestfallen, "What? Is this strapping young bard not hunky enough for you?!"

Hello to all, I'll be playing your typical foppish minstrel sure to cause fights, annoy husbands and generally get you thrown out of places orcs wouldn't want to enter.

Local information about the town and Tethyr has been updated.

What about a big hunky woman?

Orila will stand between you little things and whatever dangers we encounter.

GM, as you'll have the combat tracker (yay!), do you nees any mechanics in Bio lines or can we use them for flavor?

Flavor away!

Yay, Orila!

Nice goliath.

As a house rule for more realism I would like to implement the "training for level up" option. Basically to unlock the next level's abilities you would need to train for a week or so.

HOWEVER I would like to adjust that for HP. Basically we determine what your next level's HP bump will be and then distribute it naturally throughout the adventure.

So if you gain +5HP then at 20% to next level you gain +1HP, at 40% you get +1HP etc.

This will have your character showing incremental improvements between levels and then the level up bump is because of training putting that experience to work.

Thoughts?

Maybe half hp at half xp to next level? 20% increments sounds like a lot of fiddly math. :D

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 15):

Certainly makes more sense, just a question of it's worth tracking the math. Not really that complicated though, if I were you I'd put that burden on the players ;-)

I'm fine with training and I like the HP advancement, but yes just half at 50% mark is probably simpler and still significant enough.
If I can suggest maybe giving spellcasters one spell slot of the level he already knows (which is even levels until 10th) at the 50% mark.
Maybe proficiency increase as well?

In reply to Orila (msg # 18):

As a caster, I approve this idea!

I'm not too worried about the fiddly math because with PbP you don't really have to do stuff on the fly. As I'm updating stuff I can just write notes to myself and then it's easy enough to check.

That being said if it does turn fiddly then I'm fine doing the halfway = half HP kind of thing.

Proficiencies and other bumps will have to wait until you fully level up at this time. This might change in the future as I tweak some new house rules for the game but we'll see how this works.

For those waiting in the wings: I've made my first round of cuts so if you haven't received a "Thank you for your time" message then good news, you're made it to the final round of cuts.

As is typical there are just far too many good applicants compared to slots available and cutting things down is one of the hardest things a GM has to do so let me once again say that I greatly appreciated all the time and care that went into things and I very much enjoy reading all of your fun stories.


For those of you who are either GMs or thinking of being GMs I highly recommend adding that to your RTJ process because if nothing else it makes things enjoyable collecting all these funny and unique stories that people have had.

I have updated the Important Info with a list of house rules and variant rules to be used. Please review and let me know via PM if you have any questions/concerns about them.

Assume anything not listed on here is not included in the game.

I like the house rules. I've always liked healer's kit dependence and injuries.

Had a PC break a rib last session in my irl game. Be wary of goblin sucker punches, they can be vicious.

What have you winnowed down the remaining character options to?

Warlocks and barbarians mostly...

I like the initiative, crit, and hp rules as well!

As much as our A-team (scout and rogue) are good at hiding, I'd like to say Hello to them. And don't be afraid to come talk to us.

Present!

I've been right down here the whole time. Hello, everyone.

So while we're waiting for the last few characters to get online let's talk about recent histories and backstories. I'll be PMing you to go over stuff. The goal is to get the game started Wednesday at least for purposes of character introductions and getting the setting handled. Character sheets don't need to be 100% finalized for a bit but we can still get things started.

Hi everyone! Talia here, the friendly local barbarian. I'll do my best to be an adequate meat shield, haha. Looking forward to the game!

Company at the front! Woohoo. And a likely candidate for some friendly competition.

Whaaaat? I high strength human barbarian and a high strength golaith fighter standing side by side? How could you possibly think a sense of friendly competition could ever arise from such a pair!?!?

:D


Try and get cracking on the questions I have posed you in PMs so that we can get kicked off Wednesday.

I think I'm out ahead of you on the private message thread.

Hey my awe inspiring 9 strength will aid me in standing abreast of you two as well. Do not count the bard out!

I'll stand behind you three, then. I've got your backs!

I think I like this look more than the other. Not a dwarf :)

I saw this one:



recently and wondered why I never see people use it. he's a cool dude. (male fantasy rogue  page 15)

I see that hobbit guy a lot.

By popular demand! Tada!!

Look at this hunk ♡ Hehe

I maybe saw him once. Twice now (which is far from the most popular ones). He's indeed cool.

One unexpected upside of unusual races is very little choice in term of portraits ^^.

Although it can still be a chore to find the few that fit...

I used that portrait in another game and independently my tabletop GM used him on a handout.

Linky to full size pic

Ooh, very nice. I always have a hard time choosing portraits; there's a good chance I'll end up changing Talia's before too long. Then again I might just be too picky. ^^;

Did my private message thread with you mess up or something, DM? Feel like I'm getting cold shouldered :p

o_O

ahhh...huh?

No...if I haven't PMd you in a bit its either because I'm thinking or I'm comfy with the character.

Feel free to post even if you don't have a character sheet finalized.

Sure. But post where?
Should we all be in group 1?

Group 1 was inside of you the whole time :D

Still waiting on the character sheet. But I guess we have the go ahead to post... hrms

"weighing no more than a bushel of onions"

daw, so cute. Can Alyssa's nickname be 'Onion'? hehe

But she's a halfling not an ogre....

Tell me how much you weigh, and I'll tell you how much you weigh in terms of bushels of agricultural commodities.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:57, Fri 15 Mar 2019.

In reply to Alyssa Tealeaf (msg # 50):

Do Orila!

:D

That's easy. All of them ;)

And if anyone is wondering how he's playing in a suspenseful way: Picture the Road to El Dorado when Tulio is being confronted, what Miguel is playing in the back ground is essentially what Shalimar is here doing ;)

Likely to the same effect of someone wanting to smack him ;)

Luckily for him, the two biggest smackers are otherwise engaged.

Anyone else dreading what will break our lovely day?

I have no doubt it will be simultaneously devastating and terrifying but at the moment I'm content to live in ignorance :P

Wanna do 5 athletics rolls each and try to deduce how the match went?

Sure, works for me! I'll just do those and edit them into my last post.

Just got my hands on the PHB :)
I'm still around consider Arthua hanging on the outskirts until I get a stronger handle of things.... My next project is to select a FEAT. Any suggestions for a rogue?

Not Lucky :p
Otherwise there are loads. Acrobatic, Resilient, Linguist, Defensive Duelist. Don't know what you are going for.

^As said above. Feats are pretty neat, and rogues have a lot they can do with them.

Wanna be a master manipulator? Actor is pretty fun. Want to be a ranged monster? Crossbow Expert is excellent from my experience, or Sharpshooter at later levels. Defensive Duelist and Dual Wielder are good for the stabbier builds.

Or if you wanna be more general: Alert is good in any class, Observant is good for the inquisitive types (a friend of mine has a rogue that now has around 28 Passive perception thanks to that and his other bonuses), and Mobile gives you a lot of extra movement and makes it easier to disengage without using your additional Cunning Actions.

All in all? Depends what you're going for, and you have a LOT of options. Those are just my recommendations based on friends' experiences.

Did Lucky get downgraded really bad?

Regarding the archetypes. I was thinking of going with Swashbuckler or Thief

Lucky as written is rather unbalanced. I will most likely be house ruling it to instead allow you to 3/day add a single 1d4 roll to a 1d20 roll after you roll the d20.

So if you just barely miss by 1 or 2 you can use your luck to nudge it into a success but you don't get the widely stupid ability to counter a critical hit or failure.

Most farmer's markets are disrupted by goblins, dragons, or zombies. Maybe we'll see goblin-zombies!

Goblin zombies. Would be an interesting fight, like being attacked by a swarm of skeletal sprites...

People... you keep forgetting the first rule of player's club.
Don't give GM ideas...

And in that spirit, I won't mention anything about an unnatural blight...

Never hurts to give a GM fun ideas it's when you start talking about beholder mounted drow archnomancers that the trouble starts.

Goblin-zombies looking for their halfling queen to lead them to world conquest!

Personally, I'd be more worried about Ghoul Kobolds. Ghoulbolds, if you will. Especially given that such a creature usually means there's a dragon with necromancer status somewhere...

...crap, now I need to go write a one-shot.

Dracolich, after all what living self respecting over grown lizard dabbles with undeath? Gotta be undead themselves first before wanting a host of yappy undead cannon fodder ;)

Sorry I've been away but weekends aren't always the greatest for me. Also it makes me very happy to see players digging in without needing the GM around. Updates incoming :D

Talia uses a halberd? Man, I think I just found my romantic interest.

In reply to Yry Sweetwater (msg # 72):

What can I say? I'm a sucker for polearms :P

Has the game stopped?

DM hasn't been on since Tuesday from the looks of it so it could just be real life getting in the way as it often tends to do. Usually I don't worry about a game being dead until a week has gone by.

I’m a little quicker to worry when it’s a game this new. But of course I’m hanging in for awhile.

I think we just shocked the GM 'A group of players that doesn't have to be dragged kicking and screaming to the plot development?!' *DEAD FAINT*

;)

Don't know about the rest of you. But I'm still waiting on my character sheet. I figure that he's been pretty busy

Yeah I'm here. Character sheets should get uploaded tonight as well as the battle map prepped for combat.

I didn't like the default output so I created custom images instead. I'll be periodically updating them to include portraits etc.

Take a look and let me know if there is anything wrong or missing. Note that the personality stuff is all set to defaults if you didn't specify stuff already so you can ignore it as it doesn't matter mechanically, otherwise let me know what option you would like to pick and I can update it at a future time.

Battlemap has been uploaded to Group 1.

I should also have a rapier on resource tracker. Correct?

Probably, as should I my maul. Consult the sheet, this is just for quick reference.

I'm guessing we need Glynnelis and Shalimar to act first, then kobolds and then the whole party together (with these two getting their second round with our first)?

P.S. Arthua is such a good rogue that even we don't know where he is :D (@map)

Only thing I can see on my sheet that could be off is that a few things are listed twice in equipment, but everything else looks good!

...ah. Damn that Nat 1 in initiative. My dice-rolling curse continues to Rpol, even after it killed my paladin last Saturday :P

For resource tracker I don't include all weapons/equipment, just things that might be consumable. Rations, torches and daggers (because you might decide to throw them at someone) etc.

If it isn't limited use and it isn't listed as a possible projectile weapon then I don't include it.

Nope, post and do what you want to do. In general it will be in posting order but if there is ever a conflict, namely things like "who actually gets the kill on monster X" then I will use initiative.

But basically PCs all basically go at the same time, monsters all go at the same time.

Sorry for the delay, caught a nasty bug will get to posting asap.

Map's been updated.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 88):

I considered casting Command this round to make the kobold release the girl, but I wasn't sure whether it would be in range. How should we handle diagonals for range? Crossing a square diagonally = 7.5'?

1st square is 5'
2nd square is 10'
and repeat

If it is an even number of squares your calculation works. But if it is odd the distance is in your favor.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:36, Fri 29 Mar 2019.

May the odds be ever in your favour

Quick question pertaining to Alyssa: As a halfling, are you able to reroll Nat 1's even when you have disadvantage? Or does the disadvantage cancel it out?

Haven't really played a halfling before so I may be completely wrong on how that halfling luck works anyway, though.

I forgot all about being lucky! Thanks!

I rolled another 9, so the final stealth result is 14 after all.

DM - does the kobold's description of the cave sound familiar at all to Alyssa?

Nope although the overall trail does. You could probably get there with a skill check.

Everyone ready to move on? I'm guessing the plan is to head back to town and alert the guard/mayor etc?

Yes

Indeed

Yup, as for the loot should probably just pool it for now unless someone really wants to churn out how much each in the party should get.

Ready.

Ready and agreed on the loot

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 97):

Sounds good to me.

DM, my intent is to check on the family, and, if all seems well, to grab my gear -- putting on armor if I'm not already wearing it -- and running back to find everyone.

Nobody else is missing, at least none that the PCs know.

What is the plan for the kobold? Use him as a guide or leave him in town or what?

After that I can move on to the next part.

I believe Orila's maul already settled that question?

Yeah no sense keeping it around after it answered my questions, charm person doesn't last too long and then it would go back to being a threat, besides I figured if I did convince it to come to town with us the town officials would have just hung it from the nearest tree... confirmed monster and bandit after all...

I'm going to try to lay out my understanding of the plan, please correct any misunderstanding:

1. Glyn and Art go first, hopefully moving with stealth, in order to get into longbow range.

2. Shalimar, Alyssa, and Yry are behind them, with Shalimar casting something that would create a distraction and bait out a few guards.

3. Talia and Orila are waiting back, ready to charge in after the first shots are fired.

Does that sound right? DM, will it be possible for Art and Glyn to approach stealthily while remaining close enough to the path Talia and Orila will use that they keep an eye out for any traps? Glyn at least as a wood elf so can hide even in lightly wooded conditions.

Sounds about right

Sounds good to me!

Sounds good.

+1 from me

Alright I'll try and get this mapped out and get you guys into combat tonight. Everything seems reasonable so now it's up to the dice to decide...

Everybody doing okay?

I'm still here, was wondering the same. Guessing our DM got tied up something.

Or caught up with the 404 error and still thinks RPOL is down?

That's what I was thinking, it was down for a couple of days. Could be some people still think  it's down?

Right. I left for a few days because of that issue.

I'm here.

No i'm here. You'll find that when it comes time for a new map it can take me awhile to find one or make one that I like. Some scenarios are easier than others but this one proved to be quite a bit more difficult than I was expecting...

Glad that the game is still alive.

And just thinking aloud, but is a constant disadvantage really the best way to handle 0-level character? It seems really debilitating. Maybe +0 proficiency, which could impact things enough.

And if someone is guiding Alyssa that might negate the disadvantage with the advantage granted. A bit late for this particular scene, but maybe for things down the line.

It feels pretty debilitating. I agreed to the role, and I’m not complaining, but Alyssa does put the rest of the party at risk. I’m considering bowing out. Maybe I could join back in if another player drops out?

No! I love the concept of someone striving to become a hero (or an adventurer at first). I'm just wondering if this is the best way to handle it mechanically. Not that it shouldn't be done.

The only question is if you're having fun with it still. If your enjoying the character as is then just keep going the GM approved it so is all good. Would the party benefit from not having that constant disadvantage? Probably but that's mechanical, who truly wants constant disadvantage when 1st levels generally suck as is...

But the ultimate thing is, is your concept playing as you expected and are you enjoying, if not work with the GM and see if you can make it better. There's never a need to bow out unless you absolutely have to, there's never a character issue that talking with a GM can't be resolved in some fashion.

Well said, Shalimar! I for one would hate to see Alyssa go. If you're having fun with her as is, then keep her as is. She's not diminishing my enjoyment of the game one bit, quite the opposite.

That said, I can imagine that the combat elements of the game might not be too enjoyable for you, and if that's the case, then I'd be all for finding ways to enhance her capabilities. But that's entirely up to you - you needn't feel any pressure from me to do so.

No reason to bow out if you're still enjoying the game. Alyssa is a fun character to RP with, and I like the concept of starting at Level 0.

If you're still having fun regardless of the disadvantages then you don't have to change it, but maybe just lacking proficiencies/major class features would suffice? Just based on the fact that even a CR 0 Commoner is still able to roll normally.

...heck I know a group that nearly got TPK'd by a group of enraged commoners. They're nothing to sneeze at :P

You all might change your minds when I get you killed.

But with that rousing support, I'm certainly still in.

Heh wait til you see how RPOL's dice roller 'loves' me. I make Fumbles from the Goblins webcomic look mild in comparison. RNG code hates my guts for whatever reason.

As for being a level-0 character I wouldn't worry about it for too long. Level 1 to 2 is pretty quick in 5e and should be completed soon enough.

In the meantime, I'll try to find other ways to help.

Hey, you just detected a trap... ;-)

Language groups should be active. Let me know if you're missing a language you think you should have.

Map updated

I wanted to check to see if there's any chance that the game will hit a faster pace than what we've seen so far. To be honest, I'm having trouble maintaining interest and keeping attachment to the characters at this rate.

holiday weekend was rough on me. I was one of the first ones into the cave but that seems to have been overlooked.

Because this is early on and I don't want to give you guys the wrong impression about what kind of game this is.

First of all kobolds are notorious trap builders. It's kind of their whole schtick. Second of all this whole entryway was designed as a large trap. Basically invaders come in, start poking around for loot in the "fake" sleeping area and bam, traps galore.

I very much subscribe to the idea that monsters have to live in their lairs so having to navigate 30 traps every time one of them wants to get a drink of water isn't plausible, in my mind.

However having a known heavily trapped entryway that can be rigged quickly when invaders are coming is perfectly reasonable. Luckily for you guys while there are some devious traps they're not working with the best materials or the brightest minds so they're fairly easy to detect for a group of skilled adventurers as opposed to goblins or wild animals or people who can't see very well in the dim light.

Hey no explination needed, I've always found other game kobold encounters strange as few took advantage of their trapgasmic natures. This is rather refreshing rather than just having a gang of scaley canon fodder rushing up to us :)

No worries, kobolds are meant to be tricky. But it is nice to see them be tricky without going full-fledged Tucker's Kobolds at level 1 haha

Talia doesn't have a lot to add in terms of trap-finding unless it's the type that involves charging through them and soaking up damage, so I haven't had much to add in-character for now :P

Appreciate the thought you've put into this!

Plan IC seems solid. Everyone please point out where you're hiding and make stealth rolls if you are trying to duck into the shadows.

I was thinking I would stay right where I am, not even try to hide, and just shoot any kobolds who come down my passage. I've got reaction that does extra damage if any of them hit me, so I should be able to "hold the door" pretty effectively :-)

Is that going to screw up the plan, if I'm not hidden?
This message was last edited by the player at 20:12, Thu 30 May 2019.

It sorta defeats the purpose if you stand at O13 and all of them are stacked behind/in front of you. Would like to lure them inside and jump them. How about at N12?

I'll probably have Talia at around N11 pretending she triggered the trap on N12, once we actually do set it off. If that doesn't work I can drop her around N7 for the same purposes.

In reply to Arthua Silverten (msg # 142):

Works for me, posted IC to that effect.

Thank you for guiding Orila DM, I had a couple of busy days.
Also, Shaman and trapper got their combat info shifted a bit.

not trying to be nit-picky, but that was a con save against frostbite, is that what the kobold did?

Yeah. I spiced it up a bit but

OOC:
12:27, Today: Secret Roll: Dungeon Master rolled 17 using 1d20 with rolls of 17.


I tend to just roll first and look stuff up later. DC 14, rolled a 17. Doesn't really matter what defense was needed or what the actual bonus was.

I find it makes it tons easier. Roll first and if it's super low or high then it doesn't matter. If it's near the middle then actually start doing math and looking up stuff.

yeah, no problem, I was just making sure you didn't confuse my damage roll for an attack roll or something. Cool beans.

FYI the reason the shaman is wrecking face is because kobolds get advantage on attacks when another kobold is within 5' of the target. By now it has come up enough that you would be able to recognize that the kobolds are working very well in tandem, in case that wasn't clear from earlier descriptive text.

Did NOT know that :)

Arthura, FYI, your crit damage is double dice, but not double ability score modifier. That is, 2d8 +3, not 2d8+6.

In reply to Alyssa Tealeaf (msg # 151):

Thanks!

Question for the DM: Since I have a weapon with the Reach property, would I be able to strike a creature that's within 10 feet even if the space in front of it is occupied?

Q: How do the players know when to roll the dice with advantage or disadvantage? Isn't that something the GM tells us (at tabletop)?

Still trying to learn this system :)

@Talia: Yep!

@Arthua: You can always ask. In general anything that in previous additions gave you a bonus (height advantage, flanking etc.) gives you advantage.

Anything that gave you penalties (blinded, being prone etc.) now just makes you disadvantaged.

Good to know. Flanking for advantage is an optional rule. If that’s in effect here, then Alyssa can certainly be more effective.

note to self, if you don't have a torch and can't see in the dark just light yourself on fire :P

Yes, I'm lazy...

And then an elf spoils my fun :P

No map update because he literally has 1 hp left. First person to land a hit (AC 15) gets to describe the kill shot.

(I tripled checked the math because I couldn't believe it but yeah...1hp left...)

Guess one of us might kill him with a cantrip, but he's gotta fail saves first.

Aaaannnd he rolls double 19s so cantrips aren't going to take him down.

A couple more attacks still on the table... come one let's bring this guy down!

Darn and here I was hoping to DUNE him to death ;)

Got a ways to go before becoming the kwisatz haderach

For leveling up purposes just send me the deltas. Roll for HP and all that good stuff and just let me know. I'll spend some time tomorrow updating character sheets.

That makes Alyssa level one, right? So all I need to do is stop rolling with disadvantage?

I'm trying to decide on spells. Does Glynnelis have detect magic available or would that be a good pick up?

In reply to Yry Sweetwater (msg # 166):

I've currently got it on my prepared list. My list is pretty generous right now because I have high Wis and I only know Level 1 spells, so it's pretty easy for me to keep utility stuff like that handy.

Right-O!

Are we ready to move on?

So for moving on there are two options:

1) you can continue to explore room to room

2) I can just run the group behind the scenes. Basically just roll a bunch of perception checks and then summarize all the things you find in the end.

I'm fine doing it either way, putting that up as an option in case you guys want to explore and RP more or if you want to advance the plot forward now that the major threat of the cave has been resolved.

Also I've updated character sheets in my notes. I'll try and get the new sheets uploaded today but I kinda want to wait for any equipment purchases but in order to do that I need to tabulate your loot gained from the kobold cave.

Sooooo no matter what my notes are updated so therefore if another combat happens the combat tracker will be updated to reflect adjusted HP, BAB, spells etc.

I vote for (2), and no rush on the new sheets as far as I'm concerned.

2 sounds good to me as well. No rush on the sheets either.

Once we reach a majority vote I'll move things along as requested.

I vote #2

For a kobold cave yeah #2 works.

2 sounds good :)

Fine with either, 2 is good.

Fine with 2. Wouldn't oppose to a short rest before that though.

FYI the trapper and shaman both escaped into the darkness. As you investigate further you find two other entrances/exits to the caverns. You guys went in the main ones but the kobolds had hidden exits. One lead through a bunch of thorny bushes while one turns into a tiny narrow hole in solid rock, basically a river cut through the mountain and then dried up. It looks like it would be squeezed crawling for a loooong way...

Oh. I didn't got that at all. Thank you for the clarification

I think we need someone to make a decision for the group.

Back to town?

In reply to Alyssa Tealeaf (msg # 182):

Yes, let's go back to town and rest up.

Town is probably for the best.

Town sounds good.

As a reminder you're each getting 100gp from the mayor for defeating the kobolds (unless you want to try and bluff him into thinking you've also gotten to the bottom of the Great Serpent rumors).

rude :p

lol...sorry accidental entirely!

Now is your chance to go shopping for supplies as well!

To evenly divide up the kobold loot:

200 cp each
142 sp each
14 gp each
14 gp worth of gems each

With leftovers:

6 sp
2 gp
2 gp of gems

And of course our unknown potion and scroll

Chances are the gems can't be divided so evenly so probably best to sell them then divide the profit.

36gp, 13ep, 14sp and 44cp

value: 44.34

from earlier. can we get money changed?

Sure.

So in total... what did we get?

Please reference the Equipment & Loot thread, but just to recap:

144gp 8sp 5cp per person (including the soon to be delivered Mayor's reward)

The Scrolls of Waukeen have been forged!

This will keep track of your gold in one easy to find spot. I'm hoping this makes it easier for you guys to do shopping trips and easier for me to not have to recalc gold from scratch later on. I've got another game much farther along where after several big hauls and shopping trips my notes are in shambles.

A little planning and prep will save hours of headaches on my other games at least.

Alright so what is the next plan? Investigate the church? The woods? Piss off entirely and find adventure someplace else?

Alyssa's little hand goes up to vote for heading out to find the swamp mentioned in the kobold's journal.

I'd like at least a short rest first, but since we'll be on the trail for a few days at least I can probably do without that right away. Alyssa is NOT paying the suspect priest for any healing.

Sleep in town and set out in the morning? A few of us have homes around Ashford, so wouldn't even have to pay for an inn.

Just to clarify you guys aren't going to do any more investigation in town? Just head straight out after healing up?

Well first off is to inform the mayor, while Shalimar isn't a paladin by any stretch he does feel informing the guy of the threat to the village might be a good idea (and actually getting the 100 gp never hurts).

After that we do need to keep an eye on the church, though we don't really have much to go on so heading out in the morning sounds like a good idea, just not with the urgency that seems to be present, we saved the bunch at the start so we're not in a race against time for captives at the moment... though the longer we wait the more chances the swamp base will be ready for us once those escaping kobolds check in (if they do).

Restocking/preparing for the swamp would also be highly advisable I think rather than just heading out and hoping we're prepared.

On a similar note: Investigating what the 'returnees' have been up to might also be a way to go, since its plain to see that the villagers have been taken and returned they've either been perma-charmed or replaced, the exact why of which is still unknown and we could figure that out before looking for the source.

Ultimately I say we do a bit of prep work in town first before tromping off to the swamp, but I'm a Shadowrun player so I'm always of the mindset that there's never too much prep work: It keeps you alive. ;)

Alright. Whatever you decide I just hope you guys don't go too quiet. If you know what you want to do, please post it either IC or OOC. If you're not sure what to do ask about it either IC or OOC. If you haven't posted in a couple of days please drop a line here or there to say "hey just waiting on X".

I have seen way to many Shadowrun games fall apart because as soon as it goes to planning the next move everyone goes quiet waiting for someone else to come up with a plan and then after a week of silence people just stop checking in.

I don't want to just be telling you guys what to do next so please keep the game active even during these slower times!

In-character Alyssa is not one to make decisions for the group, but OOC I propose we claim the reward from the mayor, brief him on our findings, stay the night in Ashford as Huntinghawk suggested, and hit the trail to find the swamp right after breakfast the next day.

Any objections?

I'm good with that plan :)

Sounds good to me.

Likely won't be able to post much for a while due to my classes. Talia is likely just going to be returning to her house and spending the night there if we're heading out tomorrow.

I vote we jump to morning, unless the DM has nighttime surprises for us.

In reply to Alyssa Tealeaf (msg # 207):

Concur.

Alright then. I'll transition you guys tomorrow so let me know if there are any last minute preparations you want to make.

Before we leave Shalimar is going to see if the town has a vial of antitoxin available for purchase, since we're headed to a swamp it wouldn't hurt if a random snake bite doesn't off one of us.

There is a single vial left...

Well better safe than sorry.

Are we ready to head out into the swamp?

Almost ready. I'm putting on my shoes and socks right now.

I'm ready!

Ready to go.

Ready!

Works for me!

let's-a-go!

I do notice my character sheet isn't updated. Did you need anything from me? I believe I sent you the personal sheet I am keeping with the proper choices made.

Ditto for me

No, nothing on you guys. I was holding off to see if anyone made any equipment changes that would alter stats. Upgrading armor and the like but then nobody did that and I forgot :(

I will try to get those updated sooner than later...

No worries, as long as my new HP is up to date and I'm not in danger of being one shot by a kobold anymore is all good :D

All combat stats as per my combat tracker will be up-to-date no matter what.

how much would like, high-waist waders cost?

So some cursory investigation would show there isn't really a historical version of waders except maybe suits made of intestines.

I would say tall boots is the best you can find but I'll keep digging...

tall boots, maybe some waxed canvas overalls? what about something for insects? smoke or salves or something?

When it comes to insects usually you pack a crossbow for Stirges. ;)

Need consensus on your lunching spot.

Looks like we have...

Shalimar, Arthua, Alyssa and Talia for resting in/exploring the ruins.

Yry likes the look of them.

Glynn is for the forest.

Orila is absent having not logged in in over a week.

Unless someone wants to voice a really good reason to avoid the ruins looks like majority wants to take that path.


Time to get jumped by an intellect devourer! :D

How does that taste? :)

Like a party wipe :)

It's only CR 7, don't be a bunch of babies...

Alright I've got Orila, Glynnelis, Shalimar, Yry, and Alyssa's sheets updated.

For Arthua and Talia just waiting to clean up some minor bookkeeping and we're good to go!

Picking locks is d20 + Dex + Thieves Tools.

Map is uploaded, feel free to take your first round actions as soon as you can post 'em.

I’m disoriented. Are the skeletons between us and the exit?

yeah looks like we might have misread the layout a bit.

I understand the map differently than how people are reacting in the IC posts :)
Arthua opened the door. And the skeletons are behind us. So it's either fight the skeletons or enter the door and lock the skeletons outside.

~I did not wake the dead :) ~

Yeah the skeletons came up from a buried staircase not through the opened door.

I posted after reading the description but before the map went up, so I'll just delete the door comment and repost with first round actions.

So I rolled with advantage based on a rule in House Rules about initiative, but if that doesn't apply just ignore it. I don't think I hit either way :P

On the bright side, I think my classes are settling down enough that I can start posting more frequently!

Map has been updated.

I like the 'Dead' and 'Dust' status indicators. Very appropriate.

I came here to say the same!

Thanks :D

I'll take it that the overwhelming attack against "Orila's" skeleton means it is dead. Is the rubble around the stairs difficult terrain?

Just as an update, Arthua and Talia's character sheets have been updated.

Pausing because something big is going to happen as soon as the helm is touched.

Oh damn.
Do I need to roll 6 3d6's? LOL

Did you really write "Suits" of armor? How many of them are moving?

the nine rusting ones. Yes, nine.

There are three exits. One is out through the hole in the tower that gets you back to the forest. Then there is the door that leads deeper into the ruins and the stairs to the basement where the skeletons came from. You can pick any exit.

Well that was a fun random encounter :D


On a side note I use some pretty crazy random encounter charts!

I'll be back!

Skeletons and living armor. Why for you hate my pokey weapon?

Was this a typo? Seems like you meant to say something when we'd expect to reach the temple?

Oops. Fixed. Just a quick pause before moving on in case anyone wants to react to the new swampy slog.

@Alyssa: It is sundown right now. You’ll reach the temple at around noonish.

Oh. I thought we just stopped for lunch at the ruins ... ?

Never mind. Reading comprehension is gone, apparently.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:40, Sun 11 Aug 2019.

I'm fine with you guys backtracking a bit for a decent camping spot. Just let me know when you are ready to move on.

If you would like to have a little chat around the campfire by all means!

Then move on to the morning?

In reply to Arthua Silverten (msg # 261):

If we live that long!

Adventure!

Let me know if you're planning on sneaking in or if you want to just march down then give me a basic marching order. The stairs are 10' wide so you can do 2 side by side.

Arthua will sneak in and be beside Alyssa.
The others will be in whichever marching order they decide. Hopefully sneaking in 2 rounds after I asked Alyssa my question :)

Just as a reminder you don't have to post in initiative order. Just make  your combat actions as quickly as you can and I'll sort everything out.

FYI
The map is obvious that there are 4 bandits.
But the chart only has 3 with the color, the 4th is hidden. Roll Perception :)

Waiting until tomorrow morning for Talia otherwise I'll just move ahead.

This is what I imagine the stairs are like:

I'm not sure what our official rules on nonlethal damage/swapping weapons are...if I need to adjust anything on my post accordingly, just let me know.

You can drop your halberd to the ground and draw your quarterstaff as part of your attack. There is no real 'nonlethal' damage but there is:

Knock'em out with those pointy bits.

Correct, there aren’t any special non lethal rules or penalties. In the case of crits or massive damage and depending on the weapon involved I might take creative control over things. If you deal 40 damage to a goblin, it’s dead no matter how you tried to hit it. Most of the time RAW means you get to just knock out the bad guy and if you are trying to knock someone out that is significantly weaker or severely injured perhaps switch to a less damaging weapon to make sure.

I don’t have any hard rules about it though and I doubt it will come up too much time so I would say just let me know if you want to be non lethal and if an accident happens you’ll just have to react to it like any other unexpected twist or turn.

Poking Arthua and Orila.

Okay, quick question since I'm feeling a bit lost, but on the map, which bandit is in which location? Mostly I just want to make sure I'm not slapping the one that was charmed :P Apologies if I missed a post explaining such, the holiday weekend has been a bit hectic.

The bandit in the center of the room was probably charmed. Which has a green border on the map

But if you're not sure that a charm was done. Then attack any of them :)

You weren't ignored Arthua, I suggested returning to town so that you could recover.

In reply to Glynnelis Huntinghawk (msg # 278):

Oh :)

In reply to Arthua Silverten (msg # 279):

Damn. I really need to take the time to read :)
Post has been changed

Apologies for the lack of updates. I’ve been pretty busy and a little sick. Then there was a tornado warning that kinda killed my planned time for updates yesterday. I’ll get something up today but map updates might take a little while so “theater of the mind” it for a bit :P

Dear all. Unfortunately, Orila won't be able to continue with the game.

Best of luck to everyone, and thank you for having me!

~waves~

Map has been uploaded just in case people were waiting on it.

Only half the players have posted so I'll give it another day but I will be moving things forward Sunday night or Monday morning. I think a week is plenty of time to give to post.

---

As a side note keep in mind that you don't necessarily have to fight every obstacle the second you come across it. Not every encounter needs to be a fight to the death like the world is going to end.

Hey guys, it unfortunately looks like I'm going to have to drop out of the game. Probably not, much of a surprise since I haven't been able to post in a while, but my classes have gotten kind of hectic and I haven't been able to check in on Rpol much as a result.

It's been fun playing with all of you, may the rest of the journey be just as good for the rest ^^

~waves~
Study hard :)

Yry... so my skill with the thieve's tool will never increase as I level up? (Since I do not add prof bonus)

Expertise doubles your proficiency bonus. So as you level up and your prof. bonus increases, your skill with the tools will increase as well.

In reply to Alyssa Tealeaf (msg # 288):

Oh.. So you don't add the proficiency bonus because the tool bonus IS the proficiency bonus and it scales as I level up?

yeah, it's just a proficiency bonus, not a tool bonus. tool proficiencies are just like skill proficiencies.

Are y'all still here? This is starting to feel like a solo game....

Everyone still here is still checking in but yeah it seems like you're the one driving things. Could also be because the route you've taken has avoided a lot of encounters and I can understand how room after room of "you don't find anything" can get a little dull.

Bump! What's going on guys?

Let me know if you're not interested in continuing to play so I can open the game up to new players.

New Player here, taking over Orila (obviously). Give me a day or two to catch up and figure out what's going on and I'll have a post up ASAP. Great to meet and game with y'all. Praguepride was my very first DM in RPOL (all those years ago) and I'm happy to be running with them again.   :)

We're happy as well, welcome!

Same here taking over Talia

Game play question as I join the team-don't want to be to disruptive as I initially take Talia over.

How has the group 'typically' fought together.  I assume Orila and myself are the main melee types, but Talia has a Halberd as her weapon.  Not sure if she has been fighting from the middle rank.
-Who is melee and who uses missiles?
-Do spell casters buff, control or do damage?

Standard marching order?  Who is in the front and who brings up the back.

Cheers!

Welcome, you two! ♡

You've got the jist more or less. I tend to use frostbite and have a couple of damage and a couple of 'battlefield' type spells. I like frostbite because it potentially does a bit of damage and causes disadvantage on enemy attack.

I usually stick to the middle, as a sorcerer, with Alyssa who is ranged as well. I think Arthua has been at the front lately because we have had traps to contend with. Glynnelis usually takes the back, right?

Hi all, new Alyssa here :)

Reading through things to get a feel for Alyssa, but yes she's all about archery :)

Short bow?

In reply to Orila (msg # 300):

Well to ME it's a longbow :P

But yes, it does 1d6 damage ;)

I have Hunter's Mark though so once or twice a day I should be able to dish out 2d6+dex to a target at a time!

Arthua has used both range and two shortswords in a fight. He's moved from the front to the back and to the front at times :)

@Alyssa: Make your will roll and I'll get things moving along!

whoops! there you go.

I doubt it's vs. frightened, but just in case it is I rolled my save and advantage separately.

Failed if not vs. frightened, Passed if vs. frightened.

Map is updated. Also everyone passed because I have poor reading comprehension and thought an '11' was a '16'

Hope everyone had a lovely holiday. I know I did. Posts should resume tomorrow.

Glad to hear it! Thankful to you for running this game :-)

I wasn't mentioned (at least as far as I could tell) in the update. Did I successfully make it to BH-42?

In reply to Orila (msg # 308):

It looks like you did based on the new map!

Thanks! Didn't even think about checking the map... DOH!  :)

I feel like that is fight over, hm?

My aren't you guys a bit bloodthirsty :P

I was just hoping to interrogate it!

In reply to Glynnelis Huntinghawk (msg # 313):

I mean a harpy's never a good thing to be flying away. It's gonna go hurt someone else. I was going to let it soar but then others called for it to be brought down, so arrow!

Hello everyone!  Nothing like joining a game in the middle of battle...

In reply to Shalimar Rhann (msg # 315):

Welcome aboard!!!

In reply to Arthua Silverten (msg # 316):

I know how you feel!

Good IC pose! I like that 1 pt of damage to go with it too ;)

I grew to despise vicious mockery since it always let me down when I played a bard on the damage front!

I just used VM for the first time in another game. Goblin rolled a 1 and I rolled max damage. First time I ever saw anything mocked to death!   :)

Yes
<--- is correct. 10 HP

Map is back to the overview. There are possible exploration paths B, C, D and E so pick a path when you are ready to continue.

Let's check out B?

I'm good with B, is that a concealed door on the back wall of the harpy chamber that leads to those passages? Should we search for said door or just assume that we all see it?

In reply to Orila (msg # 322):

Isn’t that the door we came through? B looks like it’s underwater? We can try it ,but if it’s too deep I might have to ride on Orila’s shoulders!

There aren't any concealed doors visible that you haven't found. That is the way you came in.

FYI,
   I'll be going out of town on vacation the day after Christmas and will not be returning until after Epiphany (1/5). I should have internet access during most of those days, but even when I do I'll most likely be posting from a mobile device and thus long, detailed posts are probably out. Plus this vacation is with both my immediate and extended family, so a lot of my free time is already spoken for. I'll keep up as much as I can.

Merry Christmas blessings and Happy New wishes to all y'all.   :)

Speaking of which, I too will be quite busy this week handling family holiday stuff so we are going on a soft hiatus until next week (12/30).

Happy Holidays to all and to all a happy holiday!

Merry Christmas to those that celebrate.

I will be out of town 27-31 DEC.  NPC me as necessary.

Cheers!

Apologies but Christmas ran into News Years parties. I'm looking at 5 days solid of parties after parties and we have a big transition ocurring in game.

I won't be able to get it done tonight but I will try and do it first thing tomorrow morning.

Thanks for the heads up, enjoy!

Feel free to suggest Orila check out the depth of the pool or something similar and I'll try to briefly post accordingly this evening. I've still got two more days until I'm home.

I assume the stone didn't illuminate any imminent danger lurking in the water, either? How much of it are we able to see? Just trying to gauge how confident we could be, based on current information, that water is devoid of piranhas or whatever.

added an update to clarify but no visible dangers.

Oh, I meant to be up with Orila! This was from an earlier post:

Alright. Put yourself in front of Shalimar then (AQ32).  Also as a note it does take 10' per square due to difficult terrain of wading through the water.

On vacation so no combat updates until Saturday

Combat over, map updated. Several new branches are discovered.

@Shalimar - I control the links so there might be a typo or it got messed up when I updated. I'll redo the link.

@Shalimar - Just checked, I can see the sheet.

Map is updated.

Yeah! 1000 posts! Woot!  :D

Everyone good with investigating C? If you don't have anything to add IC, maybe just give an OK here so we can move along?

OK

Fine with me

Ok

Apologies for not posting this earlier. This past week I was out with full day offsite training so I am way behind on everything in the rest of my life, rPoL included. It is over and behind me and so posting should resume on its regular-ish basis.

Glynnelis where did you move? I'm trying to map my movement... and you're in the way :)

Sorry! Let's say U12.

*poke poke*

Sorry for the absence...

Kung Flu (coronavirus) panic is hitting my area pretty hard right now. Multiple confirmed cases in the town where we live and everybody's freaking out big time. Lots of shelves at Walmart completely empty, and good luck finding toilet paper, paper towels, rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer, assholes are buying it by the case when the stores get any in.

Schools been cancelled until next month and we're scrambling to find what to do with the kids for all that time because lots of the public events/places have been shut down... we're basically/effectively confined to our homes without actually being told we're confined to our homes.

Given the global health crisis I am trying to make accommodations for players impacted by the virus. Please via PM do a quick check in with the following information:


1) Will this crisis make it harder for you to post? While many people are home quarantined those working in vital services and especially medical are in for a long period of time.

2) Are you safe and healthy (COVID-wise)? If you get sick I completely understand dropping off for a couple of weeks so just let me know and I will make accommodations.

3) (Optional) Is there anything you're worried about or could use help with? I know I am a random anonoymous internet stranger but I am well read, have a background in psychology (IRL) and my full-time job is an emergency problem solver so while I am stuck at home handling other crises it is refreshing to be able to use my experiences helping people instead of corporations. I can't promise that I can help in every situation and I don't have all the answers but especially now when people are potentially very isolated sometimes even just having someone to talk to can help so for everyone here, please know that I, random anonymous internet stranger, am here for you :)

oh eff me, i just overwrote my map...

Updates will be a bit delayed. I can't believe I just lost everything....ughh...

Oh gross, sorry to hear.

Edit: Looks like the latest update doesn't reflect Glynnelis's attack.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:52, Tue 17 Mar 2020.

Oops you are right. You wounded the guy and Orila finished them off. I have it in my notes, just didnt make the write up while I was scrambling to redo the map

No problem, I know how easy it is to slip up on things like this, thanks!

Orila - it still may be advantageous to roll again. May the CRIT gods be kind :)

True, hold sec and I'll try...

... nope, not today. Thanks for the reminder though.   :)
This message was last edited by the player at 17:54, Wed 01 Apr 2020.

I feel as if rpol dice god has told me that this month a 1d10 will actually be used every time I roll a d20. So I must find some other way to contribute :)

Your subscription must have run out.  You'll need to donate another $5 to enable full-range dice instead of half-range dice. It's pretty standard "pay-to-play" microtransaction

LOL

Hello, All. I'm taking over Alyssa. I'm trying to catch myself up with the game and all but wanted to get into the rhythm of the game as soon as possible.

Hello! Good to have you.

Yes, welcome!

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 358):

Groan!!!!!!!!

Welcome new Alyssa!  :)

And if a $5 fee is all it takes to freely access those higher rolls, I think I'd seriously be tempted to pay it.   :)

In reply to Orila (msg # 364):

That's one way for jase to make money off this site!!!

$5 gives you a +0 to your dice.
$10 gives you a +1
etc, etc.

Puns = funs

Quick bump for the missing folks as I'll do an update tonight.

Whoops, guess that's me. Sorry!

In reply to Glynnelis Huntinghawk (msg # 368):

Glynnelis must have had a premonition :)

Map has been updated.

DM, I don't think the last half of your update matches the first part? Did we already defeat these orcs? Or are we just starting combat?

Fixed. I had too many tabs going and posted the wrong one.

I was halfway through one, switched to something else and when I came back all my work was gone, or so I had thought. Turns out I had flipped to a different tab entirely :(

Found my work by the way. Fixed the bad info.

I did! I think DM missed it though :-(