This forum will be used for any out of character conversations.

Hi everyone! Are you as excited to play this game as I am?

I’ll be your resident cleric. More to come on my background, but good to meet all of you.

I absolutely am, Gregar!  Looking forward to writing and playing with you all.

Sef here will be your front-line fists in that of a monk.  If my usual luck persists, I hope you're the type of cleric with a whole lot of heals, Gregar!

I would like to congratulate all of you who were selected. Before I do much more I want to make sure everyone who was invited posts a hello about themselves, make sure we didn't lose anyone out of the gate.

Please vote as to if you want feats or not, as my preference is I do not care.

I would also like everyone to describe their character's appearance and what one might think of them upon a first impression, since the game will start with your characters having already met and knowing one another.

After I am sure everyone is here I will begin working with some of you to tie your characters together before even the small introductory scenario I describe and will detail better in a moment.

The next steps will be me describing the party's first adventure with one another and proposing parts in that scenario where you as a group should decide the outcome rather than me dictate history to you; sort of a choose your own adventure story.

After that I will begin the Calm Before the Storm thread where I will begin the game proper.

There will be lots of crunch questions I presume and will answer them, I will ask that once your character is created you post a text based character sheet under your character details section.

I would like each player to pick a color for their Speech so that when your character is speaking their words are a different color than the rest of the text. While OOC speech is reserved for the color orange, when in any in game thread.

Example: OOC: I needed to re-roll because of my ability.
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I would also like to mention the player Mr. Nashford is someone I know in real life and who is a very good role player who asked to be considered for this game. So if I go silent for a while or he does we will be able to let the others know why, so never fear there should not be any ghosting from us.

I don't know what everyone expects as far as posting rate goes so we can discuss what will be good for everyone.

I will let you all know now that my schedule for work is 8-5 so I will be able to post once daily at least, but that will soon change once I am fully trained in my new position and I will go back to 11 hour shifts alternating 3days on 4 days off and 4 days on and 3 days off, so when that comes back around I will let everyone know and my posting rate will shift to fit my days off, as after 11 hours I want to eat and not be awake anymore.

And well... any questions?

Hello everyone. Looking forward to gaming with you. Garrett is a fighter with a troubled past.

I like Feats, but if the majority vote against them it's not the end of the world. =)

Garret made me aware of a mistake I made on the character creation page just now. If you are rolling for your states perform the method as described but drop the lowest number with no re-rolling 1s. My apologies.

so example is 4d6 rolled drop lowest and keep the number you are given after the drop.

so 4+4+2+1 = 10 by dropping the lowest (1) and adding the rest.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:03, Sat 02 May 2020.

I prefer having feats available even if I don't use any or many.  Not the end of the world to me either if someone is opposed though!

Also for that method of rolling stats, are we keeping the rolls in the order we rolled them or can we place them wherever we wish in our stat array?

starting from STR and making your way down to CHA placing the number rolled in that slot, no picking. But you can scrap the whole array and try again, just don't fish for like 4 18s or anything. So I ask no rolling like 20 arrays.

I just now realized Sefira is most likely the most courageous of all of you before the game even starts. They're willing to fight a dragon with only their fists, just imaging a heroic fight and the monk all like "well I could punch the dragon."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:24, Sat 02 May 2020.

I don't know if courageous is the right word!  Foolhardy and committed for sure though.  Sometimes you just gotta bear your fists and hope for the best.  Plus, dragons have a fair bit of gold with them at all times, right?  Money's important, yo!

Yeah, if it wasn't "in order" I might risk it. Or if we didn't have a party picked for balance and could switch out concepts as the rolls dictated, lol.

hence why I stated choose wisely, it seems sir you heeded the old hermit's warning.

But in all seriousness it is an option for those brave enough to try.

Actually since I have the two of you here Sef and Garret, I was rattling around in my head the idea that your two characters would have met before the party came together perhaps as caravan guards on a caravan from Neverwinter. I think the grizzled old mercenary and plucky young protegee could be a fun dynamic for the two of you. What do you both think?

Feel free to expand on that or scrap or change it, share backgrounds if you like, it was just one of the interpersonal party dynamics I thought would be fun it it were explored.

I will get much more specific with everyone's backgrounds once things begin to coalesce a little.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:02, Sat 02 May 2020.

That would work for me.  I don't really have a preference for how or why Sef knows anyone and a caravan guard is as good a reason as any for her to be leaving Neverwinter.  I'll figure out a simple synopsis of her background for what she'd have shared with Garret or anyone else that would have gotten to know her in the interim.

Fast check in here. Yes, indeed, rolling straight down the character sheet is the sort of thing I would do if I wasn't trying to fit a particular character. However, since I am, I doubt I will be braving the roller but I will certainly ponder it.

If it was "Hey, try the roller, and if that doesn't work just take the array" then I'd gamble. I think everyone would.

The feat option is fine. I may not be taking it but I am glad to see it there.

Brock likes talking to people who make things. It doesn't really matter what they make! Take the usual 'thing' Dwarves have about Stonework and extend it outwards to makers and you understand. Brock is a guy who likes things to be in their place, so people who look put together as opposed to people who look like they just got out of bed. Brock happily laughs and jokes and stories but sucks at telling them himself.

Man, step away for an hour and this place blows up!

I prefer feats, myself.

Sounds good for a starting place to me. =)

I am a priest of Ilmater, so we should be covered there.

So we have a monk, a cleric, a fighter....not sure what class our dwarf friend is nor Nashford.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:43, Sat 02 May 2020.

What races are everyone? Gregar is human.

Nashford's player is probably asleep right now, but he is a halfling bard.

And Brock is a Rogue.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:57, Sat 02 May 2020.

Fun Fact: 95% of the submissions were for humans. I had never been able to build an entire human party if I wanted, it blew my mind.

Humans can be fun, variant or normal, but I RTJed for a Half-Elf myself.

Do we still get and roll for a Trinket?



EDIT: Oh, and I'll pick Goldenrod for my speech color.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:26, Sun 03 May 2020.

And here I was expecting we'd have a predominantly magic-wielding party!  I guess I just always expect that but that's a nice change of pace.

I'll go with Aqua for mine.

Having run through this module once before, it can be... unforgiving at lower levels. So I wanted to make sure I had a meat-shield, dps, support, and healing covered. I like to think I succeeded. I opted away from a druid or ranger simply due to the fact that while both are wonderfully useful a straight up fighter can wield a bow and tank better while doing so, and a monk can theoretically hit harder, should flurry of misses ever be an actual flurry of blows while providing more martial flexibility, while a bard will cover any support spell-casting that would be required and be able lend buffs or inspirations which I feel would be more useful.

Though really no matter how I did it I was making some trade offs in party composition, and the module is made for a party of 4 so making a party of six would require me to change too much in the module, while I feel the power curve of the game can support a 5 player run.

That was my thinking anyway when it came to the crunch end of things, but there were soo many druids and rangers I fell in love with, but I had to make some calls. I tried building some parties with them in it but I felt this one had the strongest submissions and strongest survivablity possible.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:11, Sun 03 May 2020.

In reply to Garret (msg # 23):

Yes you may roll for anything the creation process allows you to.
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On a side note, it seems the consensus was that Feats are allowed. So there is that, and I will now be working on some stuff that I will be PMing some of you about to tighten up or tidy up some backgrounds.

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Fun Fact of the Day: The character portrait I am using was actually a character I played once, saw him in the portraits and thought, yeah that's what a kobold would look like as a GM.

He was a pregen character I played at Gencon one year in a module called Sewer Dragons of Absalom where you played a bunch of Kobolds trying to trap and defend your home from adventurers sent to clean you out of the sewers.

I’m playing around with stats right now. Obviously wisdom and I want a highish charisma. I can manage a 14 intelligence if I go 8 strength, leaving 12 and 10 for dex and con. I’m guessing I won’t be needed as a front line fighter, but thought I’d put it to the group for commentary.

My advice is that you will at least want to be able to climb a rope, or out of a pit, or swim.

That’s helpful to know. As it stands it’s between 8 and 10, so not much help climbing a rope either way.

By request I have added the character sheet template to your character details pages, please fill it out once you are ready. And I will need a statement from everyone once they are done stating they are done stetting up their backgrounds and working them in with whomever they wish and filling out their crunch.

Out of curiosity, what is our resident bard's instrument of choice?  Trying to decide on one for Sef and no one wants to listen to just one set of bagpipes when they can instead have two!  Joking, but just curious.

I don't know, the pandemic has been causing crazy demand at where he works, and so he is likely at work. I have not tried calling him today since he will likely be too busy to talk until he gets off of work.

Oh no worries!  I don't think you're going to cement me to a pan flute before the game even starts if that's just what I put for now.

I'm just about done with my character sheet at this point and I think Garrett and I don't have much else to share for our backgrounds.  If there's an event that would have happened while it was just us two, you can throw it in the private message thread we were talking in, DM.

No; I think that most of the background stuff for everyone is done except for Nash, which should be getting hammered out today at some point most likely.

As for Brock and Gregar, I don't see much of a way to tie them together in an interesting way other than seeing each other in town once or twice, so I think we are 80% ready, just need everyone's crunch done and updated in their character sheets.

Oh and Sef I need your character sheet updated with the languages you know. I will be using the language scripts the site has, so that when people are talking in different languages, the text appears as some form of foreign language instead of the actual text, to those who do not know the language.

Think I just hadn't submitted the last of the changes on my sheet.  It's all updated and set now.

Will get to crunching numbers by end of day tomorrow. In the middle of tech joy as I just replaced both my computer and monitor. Good news, new monitor is huge! Bad news, have to learn how to make web pages fill the screen the right way.

No worries, congrats on the new setup.

Thanks, super nerd excited. Working all from home right now so hopefully big screen means less eye strain for me!

I’m nearly there. Just trying to decide if variant human (skill + feat) is worth it.

It depends!  I went variant human but Mobile was just too good to pass up.  Especially since I can actually let Sef move around in combat rather than having to hold the line (or so I hope).

I think a lot of the time the standard human array can be worth it.  Especially if you are able to point-buy rather than use the standard array.  It let's you keep your secondary stats fairly high while also letting you use your early ASIs for your main stat then later ASIs for feats.

Yeah. The skill helps fulfill my concept better, but overall not that valuable. The feat is nice to have but nothing specific jumps out for me. Thinking the raw stats end up making more sense.

Ok. I think the sheet is done. Description is up as well, though I may make some changes.

Suggestions on languages? I have two to pick.

I would say if you have a reasonable explication as to why you would know it, Draconic might be useful.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:26, Mon 04 May 2020.

Hello everyone, this is Nashford posting to prove my existence. As was stated my intention is to play a halfling bard. My high concept for my character is for him to live his life as a compulsive gambler who uses adventuring to fund his escapades. He tends to travel a lot looking for odd jobs, so it should be easy to roll him into backstory shenanigans if anyone wants.
  I'm cool with feats as well so I guess I'm with the herd on that. For character text I think I'll go with Gray.

Alright, I am going to shoot for a start time of Wednesday which I believe is the sixth, which will give, I believe, plenty of time to finish up character creation. Does that sound good to everyone?

Kinda figured. But don’t have a plausible reason why I might know it.

A Dragonborn friend?

I should be ready to roll by Wednesday even though I feel like I'm behind the group. But I'm getting things worked on and should be all sown up and ready to play by the end of today if the time gods are kind to me.

And the part I always seem to suck at is Starting Gear. What did you all do for starting gear? Take the gold roll and buy it? Just trying to do what the group does on this.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:42, Mon 04 May 2020.

What is starting gear?  Don't we all barely have any possessions and use our fists to deal with our problems rather than crossbows and swords and other expensive metal accouterments?  No?  Just Sef?

...Well I'll be going now.

Per the Character Creation thread:



So rolling for gold and buying equipment IS the option.

Sorry, I was just making a terrible joke.  I collected my pittance from rolling wealth!

Ok, I think I am done with my character sheet.

Cool and thanks for the help everyone, appreciate it!

I have posted the little pre-adventure I said I would post for everyone to read and decide how a few things were handled, no crunch needed for this, but it will be a good jumping on point for character development between you all if you want before the game proper begins.

Do you want us to post in that thread and discuss, or just post what our character would do, and more OOC or IC sort of thing?

Post in that thread please, as for OOC and IC, do as much or as little IC stuff as you all want, but ultimately it is simply a OOC thread for discussing how the party reacts to the situations. But rp is not discouraged on my part.

The game has officially begun and the first post is up.

Brock you can give me an Intelligence Skill check with advantage if and when you would like to recall any knowledge you might have about any persons or locations associated with the town.

Also as an added reward for the last mission, you will all start with a point of inspiration.

I find it customary to always find some reason to role a check for a random, unimportant event before the game really starts.  That way I know how the dice roller is going to treat me for the game.

16:50, Yesterday: Secret Roll: Sefira Irongut rolled 6 using 1d20+4.  Dexterity Check (for a random action).

Apparently Sef will be comic relief this game!

EDIT:  Oh, also.  Sef is a human not a gnome, Brock.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:48, Thu 07 May 2020.

Sorry let me go fix that! Not sure why that happened in my head, must be confusion from some other game, my bad entirely.

No worries, Brock!  Just wanted to make sure to clear that up so we weren't all confused.

Since I brought it up to start with, Brock plans on going and looking at the girl's house, then grabbing his things and meeting everyone. I'm not sure how much of the 'search' is going to be roleplayed out - I'm in no rush just don't want to make the group wait.

So, our monk is having some issues to deal with, but are the rest of you ready to move on? Or was there anything else you wanted to rp or ask?

But...but...that's my friend. How can I go on without her?

I think I'm good with moving on though.

Agreed. Moving on is my vote.

  I'm cool with moving on as well.

Okay so to give Sefira some time to deal with what is going on I will say the rest of you are all going to the house while Sefira gathers supplies from the butcher's and she will meet with you all as you are ready to set out and seek Reyshanel.

Nashford I just read your vision comment on your character sheet I legit laughed out loud at that.

And hurray the dice roller didn't hate me so the guy who makes locks actually got to do a decent job of unlocking a door!

Haha. Give the dice roller a chance - I trust she will still embarrass you at some point!

Oh you are very right about that, why doesn't the roller seem to luv me the way my dice do?

It does it to me as well. You’d think it would be different, give it’s a mechanical “random” generator, but nope.

Wow who knew going into someone's house was going to generate so much tension!?!

I honestly expected this to be a great big nothing of a thing. Much more interesting that there's some drama here, much more like a good TV show.

Bad TV Show - We investigated the house and found nothing at all. That would happen off-screen in some cop show, you'd never see them go to the house and find a nothing.

I will hold my post until everyone who wants to post their conversations has done so, seems as though there might be a conversation about to happen and as such I don't want to jump the scene faster than wanted.

Alright group huddle.

So Sefira's player has unfortunately had a death in the family. I have sent them a pm stating that I will be willing to NPC the character until they get their life back in order, keeping the seat warm for them as it were, if it is something they want to do.

So I will be NPCing the character for a time until I hear back or we assume they have not seen my offer, at which point I will leave it to a vote to see what will happen after that.

On a game point I will need perception checks for your search rolls and a dex check for unlocking the chest if any one wants to open it.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:10, Thu 14 May 2020.

Well that sucks. But sure, keep her spot, it is all good.

I would definitely prefer to give them time to come back as you said. Family tragedy can be really hard and take time to recover from.

I added the Perception roll in to my last post for you.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:14, Thu 14 May 2020.

No disagreement here. Sorry to hear of the loss.

Just a heads up:

I have spoken to our monk friend, and they said they will be willing to come back, but they don't know when that will be, they will need time. I told them the seat will be waiting for them.

So in the meantime I will be NPCing our monk.

Anyone else not like how the DM is keeping such track of time?

Tracking time does make for nervous doesn't it?!

I'm sure it is just some tactic,  it can't really be meaningful, right?!?

Right. Not like Carver, who in no way is suspicious, would lure us to Reyshanel’s cottage and then call the guard on us.

Upon opening the chest downstairs Brock comes face to face with the contents, a leather document protector sealed with a leather string around a button, and books on many different topics
****

Hey there boss, does the list of books we found include what we'd find from opening up the leather document protector? Or has that yet to be revealed?

The documents would need to be opened, I only described what you can see without doing to much investigating.

Alright; my work schedule will be changing next week, as I warned everyone. So I will once again be doing 11 hour shifts at work.

I will try to post Monday through Wednesday, but if I don't, please don't kill me. But I will still be able to post every Thursday through Saturday without fail, Sundays are just going to be hit or miss depending on how tired I am.

long story short, if I am silent for a day or two don't worry, but I will try to maintain our current posting rate.

Hey there boss, figured I'd pitch this idea over here. In character we had the line "lets find someplace to talk". Is it cool to just take the crew to my house in town, assuming we avoid the guards of course.

And then you made another post, stating more time had passed. Was that not correct?

My last post stated that Garrett was heading for the back door, which means he was heading downstairs. If that didn't happen yet, and I need to post it again, let me know.

I also posted that I was headed downstairs.

I’m fine leaving stuff behind. Not worth getting nicked over.

Everyone started on the second floor, without the items from the first floor chest, and then said they were headed down stairs to the exit or just down stairs, I split the act of moving down stairs and then exiting into two actions.

If you moved downstairs and did not specify you were exiting, I assumed you were exiting. Therefore if you wanted to stop and rifle through things you would be doing that as your second action, which could result in an unexpected visit from the police, or you could wind up in an argument with Tanner possibly thus eating up more time.

I assumed everyone was leaving but then some stated they had a desire to retrieve items, and I was not going to tell them no, just letting them know what the possible outcomes of those actions might be.

So in essence:
Starting Point: Upstairs
Action: Go down stairs - time passage

Action: leave - time passage
or
Action: Loot - time passage and Tanner getting involved and or police

The gist being you would have enough time to escape if you don't dally, but you might still get away if you do.

The confusion I think comes from Brock's post about going through the books and telling people to decide what they want to take or look through when he is the only one on that level at the time, so I was imagining everyone shouting to one another to convey these words or relaying with Nash who had the most nebulous description of where he was standing until he said he went upstairs solidifying the area he was in. This would all require someone else to come down stairs and rifle through it while he headed upstairs to take care of the other chest, which no one did.

Brock makes his way upstairs breaks into the second chest and Gregar warns everyone the police are coming, then you all make the decisions to leave while Gregar asks if there is still time to get stuff.

Got it. That all makes sense.

My question was whether we could assume we took the evidence when we found it or if we looked at the books and put them back in the chest. But with Tanner around to specifically prevent taking it, I don’t have a problem not having the stuff. I mean, I’d rather have taken the draginomicon and the folio with receipts, but not worth possibly getting caught over.

So I think for Gregar at least, he will slip out the back door and away from the house.

And the notion from my side of things is that Brock knows this lovely little town well enough to guide his friends out the back door, keep out of sight from the house, walk to meet Ella and then off to my house.

Who is Ella?

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 92):

Sorry My total bad got a name swapped, I must have meant Sefira...

I'm in favor of us spending some coins to move ourselves in the direction of the investigation faster. Otherwise it'll take a lot more time walking on the road to get there. I figure we ride out but we walk back towards town.

Agreed

I will make my post once I know the other two are okay with shilling out the silver pieces.

6 SILVER?? Are you guys crazy?? That's so much money! I'm a poor fighter and alcohol is not cheap (well, it IS cheap actually, one drink at a time lol)

Lol, yeah, that's fine.

  I'll pony up. The ride can help set the next scene.

OK, super props to Garret for the post over here that was awesome

Any chance that instead of me having a lousy roll for this - that I could instead Help Gregar and let him have Advantage on the roll?

I don't mind the drama of a bad roll. I'm just doing what I would have done at a table top and ask.

I am currently waiting on Garrett and Nashford's posts. I will consider the request once I see the outcomes of thir posts.

 I'm also proficient in persuasion. So I can give it a shot as well, if you guys are okay with it. Although I don't know how many failed checks it takes before they just turn on us. It would be nice to avoid bloodshed.

     SKILL CHALLENGE: DON'T SPOOK THE CRIME SCENE VICTIMS
                                       Successes 0/4

Sorry, newer medication has some...side effects that I've been dealing with. Let me go read the scene.

No problem, hope your alright though.

Okay, just wanted to see everyone's posts to make sure nothing crazy happened.

Now If you wish to make a persuasion roll go ahead Nash with advantage. I will give Gregar advantage as well for his roll, so if Gregar wishes he may roll another d20 persuasion, taking the better of the two.

I will make my post after.

I updated my post

I will try and get my post up later tonight, hopefully Nash will post his roles by then, felling kinda cruddy today.

Lol so did everyone drop? Or just busy?

I’ll post something.

Okay cool, I will get my post up tonight.

well it seems Garrett hasn't logged in for a while, hope we didn't lose him.

And to keep things going, if you want to scout ahead sneaky like give me a stealth role. If not let me know and I will move us along.

Sorry. I'm here somewhat. Been sick and then didn't realize how long it had been since I logged on. I'll try to catch up.

Edit: Thanks for taking pity on me, dice roller. <glare>
This message was last edited by the player at 16:46, Tue 16 June 2020.

In reply to Garrett (msg # 112):

No worries, just glad you're still with us, and hope you get to feeling better.

No help on the advantage roll. So a 9 stands. And everyone gets to see what Gregar ate for lunch.

Do they? I was assuming he was wearing some cloth as a mask, so wouldn't he be swimming in his lunch? Lol I kid.

Hahaha

Good lord, I am beginning to think we should be adding 5 to all your rolls from now on just make up for all the single digit rolls. lol

Sorry for no post today, had a long day. Will get a post up tomorrow after work, again I apologize.

Would Sanctuary help keep the flies at bay?

After reviewing the spell, yes I believe it would, the creatures won't be able to attack you but since there was no dmg to begin with, not sure you would want to waste the spell, but they can still swarm about annoying you...

I would say if you want to use the spell, it will reduce the swarm enough that you won't be suffering disadvantage due to them, where as you would if you don't cast the spell.

Worth it

Gregar go ahead and make another check, no need for a new post you can just add it to the one you just made.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 122):

Finally a good roll

I suggest we have a scout crawl closer.

I thought we established that none of you were good at scouting lol. =P

I think none of us are good at ROLLING!

I have good rolls and bad rolls, lol.

Also, just to clarify, Garrett is wearing studded leather armor and is trained in Stealth (contrary to what some might think from his earlier poor Stealth roll, lol).

I am going to wait for everyone to get a post in before I respond.

Also how is everyone going to want to do initiative? Posting in order of initiative or just everyone saying what they will be doing and trying to make a cohesive narrative from it?

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 128):

I prefer the latter.

Okay, well if no one else has an opinion on the matter, that is the way we will handle it. I will ask everyone to roll for initiative in combat and then present the scene, everyone will post what they would like their actions to be taking into account the action economy, and once everyone has posted I will coalesce everything into a cohesive narrative.

Also I will get a post up tomorrow now that everyone has posted.

I will be happy to roll an initiative, but yes, they are super far away and it is my intention to wait until they're closer. Since we can hear the Villains making their plans, I'm not going to do anything other than stay hidden really good until we can tell that our friends are closer.

And here is that die roll


16:45, Today: Brock Fineanvil rolled 8 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:45, Sat 18 July 2020.

Hmm. I didn't realize that Garrett's little hesitation cost him that much distance. Okay.

But, yes, this was ill-conceived. And Garrett won't be starting any combat until everyone is closer that is coming closer.

17:45, Today: Garrett rolled 8 using 1d20+3.  Initiative.

 And I got a nine. Team Badroll for the win.

I got a 13

Didn’t realize everyone was so far away. Gregar will ready his crossbow but stay extra still when he hears Reyshanel and the others talking about the approaching person.

Will not attack until the others are here.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:27, Mon 20 July 2020.

alright so the initiative is as follows:

Cult of the Dragon: 19
Sefira 15
Gregar 13
Garret 8 (with higher initiative +3)
Brock 8 (only +2 initiative)

It is convenient that Sefira goes first, as I can just work her turn into the original post. I am mostly doing the initiative so that when I try to pull everything together it is easier to do. Also I looked it up, attacking while prone provides disadvantage, and attacking someone who is prone and is not within melee range is at disadvantage.

Also standing from prone does not require an action, but will consume half of your total movement for the turn.

Drawing one weapon does not require an action as it can be done as part of any other action, but drawing more than one weapon is considered a manipulate item action, so dual wielders without the feat are penalized.

The scene will start with the whole group arriving and meeting up and I am assuming agreeing to attack, except for Nashford, who will be there but will know he has been spotted as they are all looking right at him, but not his fellows.

You are all about 10 feet away from the enemies as they have moved up and are more or less in a line about five and ten feet from one another watching Nashford approach. None of them currently have their weapons drawn, and your group minus Nashford will have surprise, so you will be able to act before they do, feel free to discuss your plans here before posting, since you do technically have time, and I doubt whispers 10 feet away would be able to be heard outdoors, unless you whisper very loudly.

Once you are all ready let me know and I will post.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:13, Tue 21 July 2020.

Gregar has a 13 not 11. Rolled an 11 +2 for Dex.

apologies; will change the post.

I will get a post up tomorrow unless everyone needs time to do a strategy session here in OOC.

To clarify, we're prone and thus take a penalty on ranged attacks?

I have looked at a lot of forums and re-read the rules in case I missed something; and it seems the answer is any attack made while prone regardless of the type of weapon is at disadvantage.

Seems like that makes sense for everything but a crossbow or maybe a piercing weapon. Swinging, throwing, or firing a bow while prone would be difficult. Although, Ely from the book of Ely fires a bow from his back.

If you can find something I missed in the RAW, I will be happy to look into it.

Brock hasn't logged in, in a while, hope he is doing well, and I will speak with Nashford tomorrow at our IRL Star Trek Adventures game, to see if I can see why he hasn't chirped in on this or posted.

 Gregar still has higher initiative me and hasn't acted yet. Would my doing anything now ruin any of your ambush plans?

I’ll post an action

From what I understood everyone will just post what they are doing and then I will make a cohesive whole from it using the initiative, but if you all would rather post in order that's fine just let me know.

 Either way works for me. It's just that my bad luck has a way destroying carefully laid plans and I'm going out of my way to play a fool this time.

My bad for the disappear. shortest version of the story, had a COVID scare with family. Good news is that it ended well, no COVID for me or my wife, but it was still a wacky time of getting it traced, tested, etc.

Reading and posting to catch up now.

Glad it all worked out. Our kids are currently quarantining because of exposure.

Best of luck to you and your kids!

Thanks. Scary world we live in...

I am glad everyone is safe and healthy, if anyone needs time away from the game just let me know.

Is dropping crossbow and pulling out weapon and shield my whole action? Or can I attack as well?

Dropping costs no action, and your first weapon drawn in a turn that is only one handed may be drawn as part of another action, for example move action. So in short yes you can attack as well as long as it is a one handed weapon.

OK, so DM you posted, is it OK if I post again? Just not sure if I get to 'go' again.

Yes it is a new round I just covered the cultists and sefira's turns in one post.

--edit--
Also the dmg Nash dropped is enough to ko the man you struck before so he is down, only Reyshanel is threatening you now Brock.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:52, Wed 05 Aug 2020.

OK, thanks for the update, that makes it easier.

And hey, no worries about me being hurt! D&D characters get hurt. I was just trying to be straight about where I was in terms of HP, it shouldn't be a big mystery if a character is tottering.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:18, Thu 06 Aug 2020.

 First level is definitely one of the worst maladies someone can be afflicted with. Good thing the cure is killing dudes. We'll get through this yet.

Lol glad you are not scared off by something as meaningless as 90% health loss in a round, cuz, don't know if you heard, but there be dragons ahead lol

 Brock is after me in initiative. So the hp I healed him would allow him to take his turn normally right?

That is correct.

Brock you can post a turn if you want.

I will get a post up tonight after work, and we can always retroactively work  your turn in if you want.

OK, neat, going to pop in and post now!

With combat over, you have all reached your first milestone, that means your characters have reached level 2.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:57, Sat 15 Aug 2020.

Do we level now, or have to wait for a short rest? And do we roll for hit points, take the slightly-better-than-average listed for each class in the book, or something else?

Also - how far away is the town from where the group is currently?

1:)Okay so I am still rusty on 5e so I didn't even consider the short rest thing. Having looked it up, there doesn't seem to be a RAW for how to handle it, most people just let you do it when it is "safe". So my ruling is you will gain the level now, and any abilities that require some kind of rest wont be available until that is done; those that just apply, like an ability boost or a bonus to hit or something like that are considered to be in effect without a rest.

So... as a catch all any newly gained abilities that have a number of uses per day, slots, or the like are considered empty, spent, out of mana, so and so forth until the required rest is performed.

Any kind of Ability or dice pools or the like that would increase their total value, do so but do not refill or refresh until the required rest period. Same with hit-points, the total will increase but not necessarily your current HP. If you rest you can gain use of both hit dice for the short rest.

Same goes for spells any spent spells are still spent and any new slots are not usable until you perform the required rest.

2:) You may pick what ever method of HP advancement you want. If you roll, I advise that you don't roll low, if you take the slightly better than average approach, well that was easy.

3:) If your characters decide to walk they are looking at probably 5 hours from town and CON save of 15 to avoid exhaustion since five hours would be them pushing to get there.

If the characters take some horses, like the ones at the wagon they can make it back in maybe 3 hours, since the poor beasts would be laden with too many people to carry very fast, I would require a Animal Handling skill check at disadvantage with a DC15 to actually make that time. Alternatively a DC20 persuasion might convince the Circus to let you borrow another horse so that there wont be any heavily laden animals, making the journey in 3 hours with a Animal Handling from each person at the reigns but not at disadvantage.

Or you can spend 30 minutes fixing the wagon (no check needed most of the work was done already.) And get back in 4 hours. 3 hours with a successful Animal Handling Skill.

As my maximum HP go from 12 to 21. Ah the glory of that first to second level jump.

Well, against your advice, I rolled a 1 for extra HP. So I went from 8 to 9 max.

Leveling up for me definitely not worth much.

Oh that's a shame! I mean, I know that the dice roller hates me. We've seen it all along. Taking the average meant that the dice roller could not ruin my health.

Clearly I will simply be the new 'tank' in the group for this level.

Yeah a +0 in Con to boot, sorry man. Stay away from combat lol, or make sure you wear as much padding as you can lol.

On the plus side, if you ever can boost your Con to +1 you will be getting 1HP per hit die, which might help some day.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:31, Sun 16 Aug 2020.

How was 9 HP your slightly above average hp gain as a rogue?

I literally rolled the dice. And lost. Oh well.

Rogue gets an average of 5 per level.
I have a 16 CON which gets me 3 per level
Hill Dwarf gets 1 HP extra per level

So I average out to 9/level. Sure I'm the Rogue, but I'm a Dwarf, we're tough!

We have an odd group to be sure.

I figure, if you're doing Dwarf Rogue you owe it to yourself to have decent HP. Every Bad Guy who sees you says "Dwarf Tough!" no matter what you're wearing. Even if you're not in heavy armor or something like that

I guess I wasn’t thinking about the odds. I only had a 3 in 8 chance of getting higher than 5 average. Dumb move to roll.

Not sure if anybody follows this guy on youtube, but he is an awesome animator, and he put out a new cartoon, and I figured I would share it with you, I really liked it. https://youtu.be/F2HtmYmU0vQ

Just a heads up, Nashford's player is in the hospital right now. I think he is doing alright, visited him today, and he seemed like he was doing okay, and he said he might be there for a few days so he wouldn't be posting.

Dang. I hope they get back on their feet soon.

Wow and wow! Nashford, we're all cheering for you - or praying for you - or offering up unspeakables to the void - whichever it is that helps.

Hope you feel better soon!

Alright before I get my posting done I have a few questions. Are we assuming everyone is done and ready to start the next scene, or do some of you still want to post?

Also Rayshanel is unconcious; are you taking her with you or leaving her there?

And finally the trip to town is about three hours so if you want you can take a short rest, and on that topic who is driving the cart?

I don't know if anyone else wants to post beside me, so I can't speak to that.

I believe we are taking Rayshanel with us, tied up.

I believe that is the Land Vehicles proficiency. Garrett does not have that.

I am ready to move on so that we head back to town.

I suppose that we are going back to town with Rayshanel bound and knocked out. It would be wise to keep her in such a state if we're keeping her alive.

I feel urgency so I do not think a short rest is a great idea.

Finally there is no actual 'driving land vehicles' skill anymore.
Maybe animal handling if you're trying to do something odd with the critters pulling the wagon.
And while I have no particular Cart Driving skill, it feels like it is the kind of thing that an every day guy like me ought to be able to do. So I'll end up driving if no one just jumps up to it.

In 5E? There is a Land Vehicles proficiency. Look at the soldier background. Sailors get the water vehicle proficiency.

Sorry I guess it's Vehicles (Land) and Vehicles (Water) to be more precise.

You are trying to hurry to town, so I assigned a animal handling skill check to an earlier post, of DC15 if I remember right, on my tablet so harder to look up.

Also, the short rest is just going to happen, I don't consider sitting in a wagon, even if it is going kinda fast a particularly strenuous activity, unless maybe it's carrening around corners and lifting two wheels off the ground on every turn. And all that is needed for a short rest is 1 hour, the trip will take at least 3 maybe , so there ya be, I wont make you take a free rest but you can if you want.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:42, Wed 26 Aug 2020.

OK, cool, thanks for the short rest thing.

I am going to try for a post tomorrow some time. The Next post will be moving to a new chapter and I have some thinking on how I want to handle it.

Also since Brock is going to be driving give me a handle animal skill check please.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:00, Wed 26 Aug 2020.

18:31, Today: Brock Fineanvil rolled 20 using 1d20.  Animal Handling.

Would you believe I finally pulled a good roll out of the roller?! I mean, sure, I look like a total klutz in combat but apparently I can fake handling animals just fine.

See, everyman skill, and Brock is the everyman guy.

Sorry for not posting yesterday, had a movie night with my dad, after doing a crap ton of cleaning around the house.

Hope the post today makes up for it.

Real life first is always the rule. Good on you for doing movie night!

20:54, Today: Garrett rolled 13 using 1d20+3.  Initiative.

wow huge post out, way to go boss. I'll get caught up later today but WOW!

OK, it is really funny the things I'm doing badly because we're not face to face.

GM says "Have a short rest" and I'm like "oh whatever" and it took forever for this to sink in.

Oh powerful and nice GM, is it OK if during that short rest I/we would have spent some Hit Dice to heal?

Lol, I would say that is the most likely thing to be done on a short rest so sure.

Thanks, appreciate it, sorry I was so slow on the uptake there.

And just like that, back to full hit points


07:46, Today: Brock Fineanvil rolled 11 using 1d8+3.  Short Rest HD 1.

I really have a whole love/hate relationship with the dice roller
This message was last edited by the player at 11:47, Wed 02 Sept 2020.

 Alright, my situation is more or less normal now. Sorry for going so long without posting. I'm ready to get my head back into the game.

Brock you may go ahead and edit your post with your attack if you wish.

OK, thanks boss, off to go do that now. We'll see how much the dice roller loves me

okay upon a second review I noticed not everyone rolled for their attacks that wished to take one so... everyone who wishes to attack may do so the creature is well within reach of everyone if they move to attack it, I am not giving the creature a surprise attack since you knew it was there, you see it's muscles tensing to spring, and you know combat is coming, its intended target is Brock, so at the start of combat it is not within melee range.

Initiative:
Nashford - 21
Garret - 13 (Higher DEX)
Brock - 13
Ambush Drake - 12
Sefira - 10
Gregar - 6

FYI/Poll: There will be a lot of fighting during this chapter, so I would like everyone to let me know if you would like to keep the initiative the same, with me rolling for each new pack of baddies, or would you prefer new initiatives for each encounter?

Updated post with attack and damage roll.


I am fine with whatever, but it might things more interesting if we roll each time. Sometimes we'll go faster or slower than the baddies, it makes things more fluid. But I'm fine either way.

I usually do side initiative. And I usually just give initiative to the players, unless story wise it makes sense the other way around. Once we get going in a combat it doesn’t really matter and individual initiative gets complicated when everyone is posting at different times.

That all being said, I can go whichever way you want to go, DM.

While it makes things a little more difficult on me, using initiative helps make the coming together of the narrative make sense, but it is not a bad idea you purpose Gregar. I am going to wait for Nash and Brock to voice their opinions.

Also I will not be able to post tommorow. So at the earliest my next post will be monday.

I am fine with initiative getting a re-roll every time there's a new combat.

But if you keep our initiatives the same within the same scene that's fine too, I'm good either way.

Don't care either way. If you're throwing as many fights at us as you said rerolling could make things more dynamic, but it could also be super tedious.

If you are keeping init the same every time, I would suggest giving everyone a 10 roll. Some rolled particularly good and some particularly bad (cough - me) this time around.

Really tired right now, barely able to keep my eyes open, so I will get my main post up tommorow.

However, since the idea of rotating initiative seems to be the more popular idea we will do that, but to keep from slowing combat down more than I already am, each new fight I will roll for all the initiatives, so as to keep things from slowing down, and when we move to a less combat heavy part of the adventure we can reassess me rolling initiative.

So to make things easier on me can you just post your initiative bonus here in ooc for my future reference please?

Initiative bonus = +2

Init+3

Post is up.

Initiative bonus = +3.

I am also of the +2 bonus.

Why do we have to leave the wagon behind?

The horses have broken free and fled, if you feel like pulling it, you're free to take it I guess; but it will be at least a two man job, its not a light wagon. On top of that it will make your advancement slower than you might like.

But I leave the decision up to you all.

So to give Brock a chance to respond, I will wait till tomorrow to put up my post.

Okay so it seems like everyone has been rather busy and has not logged in. So for when you return:

If your characters wish to sneak toward the keep I will need stealth checks from everyone, with disadvantage if you are taking Reyshanel with you.

If you are just plowing ahead down the street, I will need to know that for my random encounters.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:05, Fri 18 Sept 2020.

Can we knock Reyshnel out? She's already bound and gagged. A swift crack on the head should put her under, no?

Sorry for my absence. We got a huge account at work and it's been crazy.

I am not worried about it too much, life comes first.

As for Rey, she has been knocked out twice now, I don't think it is too healthy to keep doing that to her. But given the circumstances it can be done. However; the lucky person to drag her body around will be unable to attack except with one handed weapons and will sneak and attack with disadvantage while carrying her.

Also I would say, unless someone is particularly Herculean, it would also slow the group down some causing more chances for random encounters, than normal.

Sorry. I have a lot going on in rl, including work, but family stuff also. Haven't felt up to getting on rpol (or really staring at a computer screen anymore after the long workday).

I don't know. There's not been a lot of discussion or agreement on a course of action. Garrett would want to try and save/escort civilians out of harm's way, despite the fact that it would make them slower and more targetable, but I don't think anyone else has voiced agreement with that.

If no one else will, Garrett will carry Rey. He's not super-strong, but he does fight one-handed - though I assume he wouldn't be able to use his shield, so his AC would drop a bit.

Either method of travel will allow for bumping into any stray townsfolk along the way. So Garret need not worry about that.

As for the shield question, carrying her would require the use of that hand. So he would not gain the benefit of it in combat.

As for people to carry her Sefira can do it as well and not lose any combat effectiveness like AC just gain disadvantage, so she is an option as well.

That....is likely our best option I think.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:14, Sat 19 Sept 2020.

Okay so I will assume that the group will not be sneaking ahead then and heroically advancing. So Monday I will get initiative rolled and drop a post after work, unless, this is not what you all want.

The rolls for the initiative are as follows:
21:04, Today: Secret Roll: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Sefira Irongut, rolled 16 using 1d20+4.

21:04, Today: Secret Roll: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Nashford Goldfoot, rolled 21 using 1d20+3.

21:04, Today: Secret Roll: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Gregar Gergundi, rolled 17 using 1d20+2.

21:04, Today: Secret Roll: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Garrett, rolled 4 using 1d20+3.

21:03, Today: Secret Roll: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Brock Fineanvil, rolled 20 using 1d20+2.

We may have lost Brock. It's been like 2 weeks almost since they've been on.

Also...a nat 1 for initiative for Garrett. Very on-brand, lol.

Edit: also one of the saddest critical hits ever. Sigh.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:51, Wed 23 Sept 2020.

Maybe, but I plan on giving him some time, everyone seemed to have some issues the last few weeks that slowed us down.

Also for a critical double the dice, so you can roll an additional d8 Garrett.

Oh, I did. It was sad.

Alright; well I have waited for Brock to respond, and I feel he would were he able to, I don't think him a flake, I bet something is going on and he is dealing with life issues, he seems like the guy to say something sooner or later once he is able to.

But I will open it up to you all, We have waited on him and I have not heard any response from him, and he has not even logged in since Thursday the 10th, what would you like me to do, NPC his character for a while? Or open up a request to join thread to fill his place? Sefira at least said they intended to come back at some point which is why her seat is still open, however Brock has not even responded.

I would rather not make a unilateral decision on this matter so I pose it to the committee as it were.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 225):

Hmm. I hate to assume that someone won't be back, and there could be reasons why someone can't log on and let us know (bad scenarios like sudden hospitalization, which I don't wish on anyone btw, just giving an example).

I, personally, would argue for at least a full month of absence, and/or NPCing them for a bit during these crazy times we live in, but ultimately it's your call as the GM (or a group call if you wish).

Either way, however, we are down 2 people with them and Sefira being out, regardless of when they might return.

What about Nashford? We have 3. Although life has been crushingly busy for me lately.

Nash is around, I will just need to let him know to post if he hasn't.

Edit---

After thinking on it, I will NPC his character until the end of this chapter unless he comes back, if not I will open up a seeking players.

That said, I am going to watch the presidential debates tonight, so I will update the game tomorrow.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:41, Wed 30 Sept 2020.

Results of the new combat's initiative:

20:04, Today: Secret Roll: Dungeon Master rolled 14 using 1d20+3.  kobold initiative .

20:03, Today: Secret Roll: Dungeon Master rolled 14 using 1d20+1.  cultist initiative.

20:01, Today: Secret Roll: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Brock Fineanvil, rolled 4 using 1d20+2.

20:00, Today: Secret Roll: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Sefira Irongut, rolled 8 using 1d20+4

20:05, Today: Secret Roll: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Nashford Goldfoot, rolled 5 using 1d20+3.

20:05, Today: Secret Roll: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Gregar Gergundi, rolled 11 using 1d20+2.

20:04, Today: Secret Roll: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Garrett, rolled 10 using 1d20+3.

If I had realized how Combat focused this campaign was going to be I’d have made a different character.

There are a lot of combats in the first chapter, but that is only because the first chapter is essentialy a dungeon. It slows down after that, but there will be combats throughout.

I mean, I realize there is always combat in D&D. I feel like my character (and really our whole group) is not built that way.

I am actually planning on tailoring the adventure to your characters, I am keeping the adventure as is mostly, but I plan on adding in stuff that builds off of your characters and their backgrounds, which is why I picked them, and I balanced the party makeup to that as best I could.

So while it may be brutal in places don't worry too much, I am not planning on steamrolling you guys. If that helps any.

On an unrelated note. A IRL friend of mine indicated he would like to play since our rogue backed out, and I said that I would be fine with it.

Once he gets in contact with me about his character I will be adding him to the game, and I think it would be easy to add a new player to the group in the scenario happening in game right now, so I will have to do very little to slide them in. I do not know what he intends to play yet, there was talk of either a paladin or wizard, so just heads up on that.

Now I still plan to keep Brock's seat for him until the end of the chapter as I stated, but I will be sidelining him at a point in the story it makes sense to, and leave it open for him to join you all if he comes back.

Hello there I am said friend, nice to meet you all!

Welcome aboard!

Playing around with the new Heroforge and did up Gregar (without armor):

Sweet. Is the new builder out? Or are you a backer?

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 238):

It is out!

Will get a post up once Garrett has posted.

Question to the gallery: I'm between two builds at the moment and I'm wondering which you guys would rather see. They both start with about 4 levels of paladin and the multi class the multivlass options are sorcerer and warlock. What do you all think?

Hope we didn't lose Garrett

Sorry. Work is brutal and it seems like every day half the team is out. I'm so exhausted after work I don't have the motivation or brainpower to get on rpol. I don't know.

Been there man, life comes first.

Nash Brock was going to revive you but Gregar got to it first, and since he goes before you in initiative your death roll is not needed. You can edit that post or make a new one, and take your turn.

 Ok, I'll do that. We still had the three kobolds that dropped me in melee range, right? Probably going to want to get at them before moving on to the surviving raider.

And the dice roller is comfortable with our characters dying.

Will get a post update monday, worked some overtime today and am pretty worn out.

Okay so change of plans. Garrett has had a death in the family and is going to be stepping away for a while. He might or might not come back.

Sooo... I would rather not NPC three characters, so I am going to see if I can't scrounge up a player or two to help round out the party, and I will leave Sefira, Brock, and Garrett at the keep, once the party arrives there. That way should their players return, they are nearby and can be easily worked back in.

So, I will begin looking for more players after dinner tonight, so hold tight everyone.

Good news everyone! I was able to get another player, he may either be playing a fighter or ranger, there was some talk of both, don't know what he has decided on yet, but he will be joining the party soon. Name is Flynt.

More fighty types lol I should have wizarded it up 9h well I like my barbarian

Okay Einar and Flynt, I have added character sheets for you, and I believe I made them editable, if I did not let me know.

I will be talking with you a bit about how you want me to toss your characters in and getting some background stuff hammered out a little later tonight after dinner.

But first let me get your initiative scores posted here for my quick reference, since there are so many combats early on in the game I am rolling initiative to save time, and everyone simply posts what they do on their turns and I weave it into the initiative narrative, seems to work so far.

There was something else I was going to say, but I have completely forgotten it, maybe I will remember it and edit this post with it.

The other offer I extended to join has not been responded to so I will give it another day, then resume looking.

Should be a +3

Hail, friends!  Flynt shall be your new Ranger, atop his faithful canine steed Burdock.  Tallyho!

almost ready to continue everyone just hold tight for a little bit longer.

alright new post is up. And Flynt Einar you are free to join this round of combat.

Hey gang, Ski-Bird checking in!  I'll be playing Magdalena, a human fighter with a penchant for axes.

Just a few details left to iron out with the DM and I should be starting shortly.

Looking forward to gaming with you all.

Question cause I'm unsure only the flyer is left correct?

Plus raider.

Flynt he did a flyby attack, you are well within your right to take an AoO.

No worries, I'm pretty sure a 12 misses against a flying Kobold so nothing lost.

Just waiting on Nash to move the story forward.

I am going to move the combat along tomorrow after work, I don't want to keep Magdalena, waiting in the wings to join, so Nash you can always make a retroactive post if you want, if you don't post before tomorrow night that is.

post is up, I am very tired so I will get the initiative done for everyone tomorrow.

Just talked with our dm he forgot to do initiative we can go ahead and post he'll get to it when he can

:::head hits keyboard:::

Gregar has dropped out, I wish him the best of luck with what is happening in his life, these seem to be crazy times for everyone.

But that means that the entire original party minus our Bard has left, and that we are now down a cleric.

I intend to keep the game going, but I now need to find a cleric to replace him, and juggle an entire party's worth of NPC's until I reach a good dropping off point.

So because I value my sanity I am not going to try and play an entire NPC party by myself, and instead I am going to have things be a little more cinematic in the way they play out until you reach the keep, which is where I will be dumping off the NPCs and continuing on with the players.

So what does that mean for the game, well for now just post your actions and don't worry about any kind of initiative, you will simply go in the order of your posts, and I will do all the NPCs and bad guys at the same time after everyone is done.

I will resume my search for a cleric Monday, unless you guys know of a someone who might be interested.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:58, Sat 14 Nov 2020.

As always my man I'm willing to adjust and swap characters around as needed if you can't find a cleric and what not. You know how I be.

Ouch... I'm sorry, DM.  The attrition is the hardest part of running anything on here.

So I have dropped an offer to join to a player, We will see if they accept. I will get the next post up tomorrow. Nash has been very sick, and I want to give him a chance to post if he is feeling up to it.

Sooo... Nash is going to be out for at least a few weeks with the plague that is going around, so I will be moving on with a new post tonight.

well I extended an offer to join and have not heard back, so I will officially be opening up a request for players tomorrow, looking for a cleric and maybe a wizard.

I am sorry about how the game has unfolded for you all that are just jumping in. I am going to try and get things back on track, so please hang on with me for the time being.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:12, Fri 20 Nov 2020.

You good man it happens

You are all free to still post in the game thread while I look for players, I have a few applications I am reviewing right now, no need to hold the game up more than needed.

Oh, okay.  I jumped to the wrong assumption.   Working on a post now.

Everyone I am sorry about how this has all played out lately, but I would like to welcome the two newest players who wish to combat the Tyranny of Dragons. Korym Nightstar and Ysar River-Rock.

Korym will be our friendly neighborhood wizard and Ysar will be our plucky young cleric. There is also a possibility of a Warlock as well, but I still need to work some stuff out with the player first.

Now then, as stated before in the seeking new players thread I would like you to start out your characters at level 2, and again only player's handbook and DMG are usable for source material. I have created character sheets for you and made them editable (something I seem to always overlook, but not this time!) If you are going to roll for your stats keep in mind it is 4d6 no re-rolling ones dropping the lowest, and going in order down the abilities, if you don't like the array you can scrap the whole thing and roll a new one, this seems to be a popular option which is why I am covering it again here.

I will work with you to get your characters hammered out before we toss you into the game, and I hope you don't mind if the game keeps going while you build your characters.

If there are any questions or if I have forgotten anything please let me know and I will answer them.

Greetings all. Looking forward to joining the group.

I wanted to roll my stats, but going in order, it may be impossible to become the wizard I promised to be, so I will use the point-buy!

Will start putting Korym together tonight!

Questions:

• Are FEATS in play?
  
  
• Since we are rolling for starting money; do I have to buy a spellbook? My interpretation is NO, based on:
  
  p. 114, PHB under the heading Spellcasting: "As a student of arcane magic, you have a spellbook containing spells..."
  
  p. 114, PHB under the heading Spellbook: At 1st level, you have a spellbook containing six first level..."

This message was last edited by the player at 06:01, Tue 24 Nov 2020.

Hello!  Welcome aboard!

Just popping in to say hi and that I'm looking forward to playing. I am at work so can post more later.

You can have a spellbook that is no issue with me. And yes feats are in play. Sorry for the short answer but have to get ready for work.

Ronalf Keelbreaker at your service everyone. Look forward to playing with you all :D

Also just to confirm we don't have any starting equipment, it's all bought with starting wealth correct?

correct, you can still roll for trinket however.

Most of the mechanical stuff (but not all) on the character sheet. Should finish tomorrow night.

I'll get in and post later today, or try to my brain has just been off for some reason here recently

Building the character out on Beyond and then will fill out the sheet.  Just helps me organize my stuff.  Went with the point buy after getting some odd results with the roll system.

That's what I've done, super handy for the starting wealth and purchasing of equipment too :D
This message was last edited by the player at 00:12, Thu 26 Nov 2020.

I forgot we are starting at level 2!

For level 2 hit points, average or roll?

Character sheet is done - I used another template that I had used in another game - it was faster to edit than to write from scratch.

If you don't like it, I will switch to the one you provided.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:04, Thu 26 Nov 2020.

In reply to Korym Nightstar (msg # 287):

you may either roll or take the average, if you do roll I advise that you do not roll low.

Sound advice. I always take the average now. Too many wizards that die from a strong breeze or tripping over taught me that haha

Okay so come tomorrow, I am going to just move forward and get everyone to the Keep, that is where I will be introducing you new players, today is a holiday and something of a bad day for posting, but tomorrow I will be moving forward since I feel enough time has passed for anyone to post who had wanted to.

I have most everything on Beyond so should be able to plug it in tonight.

Average it is! :-)

Are moon elves in DMG?

Check the PHB under the entry for "High Elves".  Moon elves are just a setting-specific nickname for High elves, which get +1 Intelligence,  proficiency with long-/short-(swords and bows), a bonus wizard cantrip,  and one additional  language (on top of the basic elven traits).

Ah fair enough so high elves stats with different name, heard of them in other additions but never come across them in 5e lol

Since this game is in the Forgotten Realms, I went with the naming convention from that setting. I think the PHB says that Sun and Moon Elves use the High Elf template.

just waiting on a post from Nashford and Flynt... It looks like we may have lost Magdalena though; no word and has not logged in in a while.

Alright I have spoken with Nashford tonight and he has stated that Covid has been kicking his butt and that he is still feeling like crap because of it, so he has asked to be allowed a short hiatus for time to recover from the lingering crud, I have agreed to this.

So we are only waiting on Flynt to post before continuing on, however I will move on come Friday night regardless.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:06, Fri 04 Dec 2020.

Oh man! That totally sucks for Nashford.

If you read this, all the best, man. Roll a 20 on your saving throw!

Sorry for holding up the flow. >_<  it's been a rough week.

Flynt took a short rest, only spent 1 HD and rolled a 1 +1 = 2 HP recovered.

15:13, Today: Flynt Tumblerock rolled 2 using 1d10+1 with rolls of 1.  Short rest HD.

Sorry to hear about the rough week, but life does happen its understandable, so don't sweat it. As for the rolling minimum on your short rest, well... that happens too lol.

I love that line, I think I'm going to add it to my list of favorite gaming quotes.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:43, Wed 09 Dec 2020.

cool cool, will get a post up tonight.

My brain has been on the fritz the last few days I'll try and get a post up tomorrow

thanks for the update. And no problem.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone. I know this time of year can be hectic, so I wish you all the best; and I will be ready to post once everyone has had a chance to, but no worries if you are having a hard time finding time right now because of the holiday.

Merry Xmas and Happy New Year to all!

I'm off work for two glorious weeks, and stuck in the house so my posting may increase, not decrease!

Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and may the new year bring joy and peace that we need after the one we've had.

Hope everyone had a good holiday.

I am ready to keep the game going but I have noticed even before Christmas a bit of a slow down in the posting rate, I am assuming it is because I have a whole new group now and will be adapting to a new posting rate, but what is good for you guys?

Once a day, once a week, or is everyone happy with the way it is now and we just keep it the same playing by ear. I would like to know what you all would want to do.

I'm good with playing by ear up to posting every two days or so really.

Seconded.  I'm capping at once every two days, as well.

I generally log onto RPOL daily, but I try to refrain from posting unless everyone else (or mostly everyone else) has posted.

If every 2 days works for the others, that is fine with me.

2 days or so works for me

My suggestion for a marching order:

1. Flynt + dog
   
2. Einar
   
3. Korym
   
4. Ysar??
   
5. Ronalf

Not sure if Ysar is still in the game.

I am not sure either. But I will give a little bit longer to respond, I will move forward with the post on my end regardless; once everyone else has posted.

That order is good by me Einar is a tanki boi

So I noticed from the first battles!

I just realised that Ronalf is a warlock!! I thought he was a dex fighter for some reason. So maybe he should switch with Ysr?

Unless he is a hexblade? I haven't seen one of those in play as yet.

Barb, with a shield, 18 con, and the tough feat lol

Not too fussed where he is in the marching order, he has a bit of strength so not useless in combat but not a hexblade :D

If Ysar is still here, she can take the rear spot, likely a little less squishy than a warlock! If not, then Ronalf is welcome to protect "Korym the unarmoured"! :-)

Ronalf you want to post before I move us along or are you okay with me just moving on?

Also, everyone, on an aside to save time I will roll initiative for everyone when it becomes a thing, you guys post in what ever order you would like and I will roll it into a initiative narrative after everyone has posted.

Actually now that I think about it, that was the way we were doing things with the old group, if you want something different let me know.

Whatever works easiest/fastest for you is fine with me!

Flynt give me a persuasion check. If you intend to make enough food for the whole swarm then add advantage to it.

I have 20 lbs of food on me that I'm willing to give up...

07:46, Today: Flynt Tumblerock rolled 19 using 2d20+3, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 16,14.  Persuasion, with advantage.

To use the Skeleton key will require a DEX check Flynt. As the iron gate is very rusty.

Okay so are we wanting me to continue, or do you want to me to wait until everyone has posted before I move things along?

I'm waiting on you to proceed yeah

I have nothing to contribute to them trying to open the lock haha

toss my post up after Flynt posts.

Damn kobold pack tactics making my 19 ac not work as well!

Hey guys worked late today. Will get the next post up tomorrow.

man those pack tactics are ripping you apart Einar.

Least I have resistance to normal weapons right now but yeah down to 4 hp I'll start my back up now :P

Cause we have 3 ranged and 1 melee lol
This message was last edited by the player at 05:03, Wed 13 Jan 2021.

well I tried for a fighter but they left. Nash said he is good to return so as soon as you guys make it back to the keep he can rejoin the group offering some heals and inspires.

As for dying, it is a lot harder in this edition than previous ones, but it can happen.

Honestly a death to adjust party Como wouldn't be the worst thing lol

Sounds like Magic Missile time to me lol
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:02, Thu 14 Jan 2021.

After looking at your character sheet, did you pick your racial cantrip? As a high-elf you get one if I remember correctly, been a long time since I last played, but I remember building an high-elf barbarian with True Strike as a racial cantrip.

Which blew my mind that True Strike would be a cantrip.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:50, Thu 14 Jan 2021.

Yup. 1 high elf cantrip and 3 wizard.

I'm just going to say I rolled 3 arrow tonight with two other characters in two other RPOL games in the last few minutes: rolls were 13, 17, and 14.

So it's just Korym who is jinxed!

I never liked True Strike as it seemed to be a waste of an action, but given this combat, it would have been a god send!

True strike is a useful cantrip for Arcane Trickster rogues and Paladins, but I can't see it being used on a Barbarian, except as a backup for when they run out of rage.

How well did it work?

Never got to use it.

I had been under the impression that Adventurer's League was kind of like Pathfinder Society, where anyone could show up at any time with a valid character for the levels being run and sit down and play, but what I got was a group who was running a module for a dedicated group, who kinda had to seat me because of the rules but didn't really want to.

The DM was cool with it but the players were not so happy about it. It wasn't all bad though, it was kinda fun to watch a bunch of new players experiencing and learning the tropes for the first time.

We went around the table introducing our characters and none of them knew I have been playing D&D longer than they were alive, I remember one describing his character to me as a kleptomaniac halfling with some edge lord backstory, and I just looked at him and was all "sooo your a Kender?" And it blew their minds that I knew what that was, the DM just laughed.

Later on the DM was describing a terrible beaked worm like creature, and everyone at the table began wracking their brains as to what it was, until the DM looked at me and asked if I wanted to let them in on it, and when I explained it was a Grick they looked at the DM skeptically and he just nodded in the affirmative. By this point I had just kinda resigned myself to being the Nodwick of the group carrying their treasure only piping in when I thought their choices would get us killed; really watching them was more fun for me than playing, reminded me of when I was first learning the game.

The DM wanted me to stick around because he liked having a straight-man in the group of newbies, but I didn't want to ruin their game so I just told him no and that I wouldn't be coming back. Then when my first IRL attempt at Tyranny of Dragons kinda fizzled out because my friends preferred Pathfinder to 5e I just kinda filed my D&D books away and never looked at them again until I started this PbP.

I STILL HAVE 1 HP LEFT!

ANGER UNENDING!  Thank goodness for Rage, am I right?

That's awesome, dude.

Hey gang, Life Cleric dwarf here!
;)

welcome Grune, let me know when you are done and ready to be tossed into the fire, fairly literally, lol.

If that's not deus ex machina!

Welcome aboard - please save Einar!

BTW Einar, don't barbarians take only half-damage when raging? I remember playing in a quasi-drop-in game at a game club and the barbarian would take minimal damage in battles.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:03, Sat 16 Jan 2021.

Yup I'd be dead with out that I've been applying it keep in mind the rage started at 12 hp so I was already in mad shape and it's my last rage

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 344):

I'm all set! ;)

In reply to Einar (msg # 346):

Have no fear, Grune Darkhammer is here! <3

In reply to Einar (msg # 346):

Damn...you got hammered in that battle! We will have to be wary of kobolds and pack tactics moving forward!

Considering my hp and ac at least it was me that got hammered and not someone else in the group

yeah i took one hit and over quarter health gone haha

I'll have to calc it again but I think I get almost the health you have now per level up....... *one calc later* 7+4+2= 13 hp a level if I take average

alright the whole group is now together. =)

Ronalf you manage to find on the bodies of the foes:

30gp
x2 scimitar
x6 daggers

If you feel like stripping the raiders down, you can also have access to x2 leather armor.

--------
On an aside, taking the people with you would be a terrible idea, I am not just saying that as the DM but also it would be something your characters would know, the child can't stop crying.

There is that reservoir/cistern area just inside the gate where they could hide out of sight and wouldn't have to go as far down the tunnel as the rats. If you would want to leave them unattended in the tunnel.

not sure if you are all ready for me to continue on to the next part or if there is more interaction you all wish to have with one another first.

so let me know if you want me to move on.

With that post i am done. 2 daggers and 2 scimiatars up for grabs, real authetic bloodstaining . Great for trophys or evena  gift for the family! Ronalf is going to leave them behind if no one else picks them up.

well then I will get a post up tomorrow to make sure everyone else is done, will keep checking on the board over the course of tonight in case everyone indicates they are done.

Once the woman and child are safely ensconced in the tunnel, Korym is ready to move on and plunk arrows into the ground, and perhaps the occasional building!

post up - ronalf wont fight too strongly with the group if they prefer a different approach so be vocal and tell him to pipe down if you character wants to ;)

sorry for the slow response on my end this weekend, but I am back now.

Grune and Flynt let me know if you are ready to move on or want to post something.

Sorry, been slammed all week with moving apartments.  I'll sneak in a post, but I'm ready to go.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 360):

All good ready to move on. :)

Ronalf, do the skills highlighted in green on your character sheet denote proficiency?

In reply to Flynt Tumblerock (msg # 361):

Moving sucks! You have my sympathy!

Lol Korym

For an elf... that's saying something.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 363):

Yes
This message was last updated by the player at 22:47, Wed 27 Jan 2021.

@flynt i handed you one end of the rope so we can haul you and the dog up haha. teamwork man :D

Okay so Flynt and Grune you will both have advantage provided by the other players in the form of rope and, in Flynt's case, a step dwarf.

So you may attempt another roll with advantage DC is still 10.

I will get a post going, so that we don't bog down too much a little later tonight.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:26, Fri 29 Jan 2021.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 369):

Thanks! I was hoping that would be the case. :)

dont know how many metroid fans there are here, but I found this yesterday and had a good chuckle at it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5zL3FMyoq8

I don;'t know metroid much but love me some starbomb.

What's the distance roughly from the back of the building to the wall?

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 371):

Love this! It was groundbreaking (believe it or now) when we found out that Samus was female. No media scoops or spoilers just a live revel in your own living room. Good times!

So plans for our approach? Try and sneak through or just hit them as hard and fast as we can?

In reply to Ronalf KeelBreaker (msg # 375):

I'm thinking we deal with the small group at the back as quick as possible, to buy us some time to get into the temple.

Just throw me in a direction I'm outta rage, half health and well if I die I have back ups in mind.

I remember, lol. I never had a nintendo growing up, I was a SEGA kid, but my cousins had nintendos and I got to play theirs from time to time, but never played Metroid at the time, so when someone told me Samus was female, I didn't believe them until the first appearance of Zero Suit Samus.



The wall is fifty feet from the back of the building and the graves extend up to the smoke line, which extends 30ft toward you guys from the back of the building. So 20ft of open terrain that will provide a measure of cover from the grave stones, but after that the smoke provides concealment; also the entire area is on an gentle incline from your position.