There are a lot of things outside characters, and you can discuss them in this thread.

Hello there, I am Lahrart!

I have a small question about HDs: as a 3rd Level Fighter should I take in account the +2 and +1 pips from level 1 and 2?

I've rolled 11, subtracting 3 from it because of low CON.
I am asking if the total should be 11 (11+1+2-3) or 8 (11-3).
This message was last edited by the player at 21:36, Mon 04 May 2020.

Hi, happy to join!
Will work on the char tomorrow.

Woops, I screwed up. I mean for everyone to be 4-5th level with 10,000 XP instead of 5,000XP. I've changed that now.
The way this HD progression works is you reroll all your HD each level and take the result if it is higher than your previous HP, or add +1 to your previous HP if it is lower. So a 1st level fighter would get 1d6+2 HP(I often give full HD HP at first level) giving him for example 8hp, then when he levels up he rolls 2d6+1; if the total comes up 13, then that is his new HP. If he were to roll poorly and get a 4, his HP would increase by 1 instead for a total of 9. Then on 3rd level he rolls 3d6 and compares it again to his HP, say, 15 vs 13: then he keeps the 15, and that's his HP for 3rd level.
However, in the interest of not making you roll so much I've established that you should simply roll your current HD twice and take the best result (so in your case since you'll be 4th level, roll 4d6 twice and take the best). Hopefully that will give slightly higher than average hitpoints; if anyone gets abysmal results please point it out so we can sort it out. Don't want anybody running around with 4hp.

I will be not accepting any further applications: we have a whooping total of nine players now. That's one more than the module suggests, but it's nothing that some well-placed poison can't fix :P
Just as a quick reminder, if anybody wants to play the AD&D classes such as Druid, Ranger, Paladin... I'm cool with those too. Just hit me up and we'll find a mechanical solution.

Greetings from Angus. I have a doctors appointment in one hour so I'll get on this this afternoon.

Angus is a fighter.

Using Moldvay/Holmes rule book? Nevermind, I got Delving Deeper now. I REREAD as I had forgotten. ;-) I'm old, keep off my grass!
This message was last edited by the player at 16:26, Tue 05 May 2020.

Hi everyone. Not the greatest attribute rolls, so Bernhard will be a grizzled old fighter.

Howdy folks, I'll be building my character later today, I suppose!

DM, is there a standard character sheet template that you would like to use?

Not really. Whatever works for you, works for me :)

I'll finish up tomorrow I guess, been working on it, had to reread the characters page because I forgot what rules system. I downloaded it this morning and will print tomorrow and bind it.

Hello everybody, Elven Fighter here.

I've put my CS in the description for the moment, being the CS page still locked.

Me too. No big deal.

Hey hey, gang. Nerrag reporting in. Will start working on a character this afternoon. Stoked for some old school goodness!

Howdy.

We have anything BUT fighters?

STR  16  | Hit:    Dmg:     Open Doors:      Bend Bars/Lift Gates:
INT  11  | Add'l Lang:
WIS  11  | Saves             Bonus Spells:
DEX   9  | Surprise:         Missile:          AC adjust:
CON  14  | HP:               Sys Shock:        Resurrection:
CHA   7  | Max # Henchmen:   Loyalty: -        Reaction: -

All I'm good for. Though I do make a decent fighter at that.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:06, Tue 05 May 2020.

Hello everyone.  Say hello to your Dwarven Rogue.

Hey, it's always a good idea to start with a line of shields.

Great to have a thief on board. The 3 in 6 chance for thief skills in Delving Deeper is much better than the percentile chances from AD&D.

We're also going to have a couple magic-users (one of which is multiclassed with drued). What we do not have, actually, is a cleric.

Cleric it is!

I can smash things with a mace.  Evil beware!

Can I have my character's name changed to Brother Nerrag?

Character Sheet Complete.  Ready to rock.   How you all doing?

I believe I'm done as well.

I'm all set.

Thorik asked me about magic items. I was doubtful on what to do, since the pregenerated characters all have magic items. I think I will let you pick 2 of the following:

• +1 weapon of your choice
• +1 armor
• +1 shield or ring of protection
• 2 potions (choose)
• 2 scrolls (choose)

If you already have the non-magic version of one of these simply refund the cost.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:05, Wed 06 May 2020.

By the way, would you guys prefer to start with the module dungeon proper, or do you want to do some digging in Highport beforehand?

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 27):

I'm fine either way on that.

Sorry guys, a bit late on character creation. Working on it now. I dont mind the place we start.

No preference.

Check my sheet for my glaring errors DM if you get time. I know I phuked it up

I think I'm ready. I'm a Flan fighter, worship Pelor.

I'm up for just jumping into the adventure.

I think I will go with:

• Frozen Fang, a +1 spear with the tip made of something looking like cerulean obsidian
• Curing and Water Breathing potion

I am ok with just starting too (though I am not too familiar with the module).

Rolled for my potions.  Was going to take two, but got two curing potions first.  Wanted an invisibility potion, so rolled twice again.  Here is what I got...

17:12, Today: Thorik rolled 46 using 1d100.
17:12, Today: Thorik rolled 43 using 1d100.
17:10, Today: Thorik rolled 10 using 1d100.
17:10, Today: Thorik rolled 26 using 1d100

Extra Curing
Curing
Haste X 2

I went with a +1 sword and +1 plate. They should give Bernhard a bit of an edge.

Great. I will wait until the weekend to give our later-joining friends time to finish up character creation, and then I'll make the first post.

+1 sword, +1 shield.

I picked out my items as well, looking forward to kicking this thing off!

You can never have too many elves. :)

Think I'm about ready to join this merry entourage, just a few queries to sort out with the boss.

I have enabled your character sheets (I think) as per Vandarin's suggestion, so you can copy-paste them there.

The first post is set to drop in 12. For those that aren't yet ready don't worry, you will begin with us and can still act normally while you finish (but please do so ASAP).

A deadfall! ;-)

Now that I think of it, we should set up a marching order.

Brother Nerrag has no ranged option, and will be up front with the fighters.

Bernhard is happy to be up in the front (AC1), but having a stealthy scout out ahead, either thief or elf, would be handy.

In Character:  While a thief and knowing he only wears leather armor with no magical protections, Thorik thinks of himself and prefers to not be in the front unless he is scouting ahead alone of with someone equally stealthy.

Out of Character:  With my AC 7 and 12 hit points, I would reeeeeealy not prefer to be ahead.  Unless I am scouting ahead and scouting, picking a lock, etc.

I have AC5 and 12HP, elf. I can scout if what is in need. I will edit my post if that is the case. I am sorry I didnt read this first

Angus can be in front or in the rear in future.

It is dark, you are going to need torches. I automatically assumed you had some lit and forgot to ask who carried them.

These passages are about 5' wide, too narrow for more than 1 adventurer at a time.

We probably need to make an marching order for double and single n different situatiosn. I suppose here is better than IC, we would probably had that sorted that out before arriving at the secret passage. I suppose in this situation I can go first to try to listen at the door and then Thorik to check for traps?

Since I can do melee or ranged fighting, I would probably be towards the back if not all the way in the back, where I can either cut off someone trying to flank us or support the melee fighters in front.

In front or in back, no matter, you guys choose. I was up front, but everyone else wanted there.

We are fighter heavy thief light.  I need to be near the front obviously and as I get hit I'm sure shields and swords will move up to defend (one can only hope!)

Bernhard has an AC 1 and 18 HP, so I'm happy to have him up front to take the first hit. It also fits with his back story.

We can always shift things up as we go as needed.

Vandarin is AC3 but only 11hp, and currently adventuring as a mage. Somewhere in the middle would suit best, but he can fight when necessary and has ranged attacks.

So, something like this?

Single Space
Bernhard
Brother Nerrag
Ronan
Vandarin
Thorik
Falan Oakenheel
Black Angus

Double Space
Bernhard - Brother Nerrag
Ronan - Vandarin
Thorik
Falan Oakenheel -  Black Angus

You can listen and then search for traps on every door. It will take one turn per door, though.

The ones still missing are Larhart and Fentinbrook. The former I guess will go at the back of the front (if that makes sense), and the latter somewhere in the middle with Thorik.

It is OK for me, thanks.

This message was deleted by the player at 01:29, Wed 13 May 2020.

Test

I will be next to Thorik or behind Ronan/Vandarin.

Is the path narrow? If so I will switch to bow/arrow.

In reply to Larhart (msg # 61):

Yep, so far you can only go in single file.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 57):

That formation works for me, absolutely.

You know, in these modules (speaking of the era) there usually are a fair amount of things that, when you think about them a bit, don't make much sense.

Lolol, of course it makes no sense, they were 1st level writers! ;-)

Guys, please follow Nerrag's example and send me your orders for three or so rounds. I will then resolve multiple rounds at once - that way we can get through fights in a reasonable time (instead of the usual glacial pace which PbP games are bound to). Don't worry, I'll stop the combat if there's a need for player input.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:57, Sun 17 May 2020.

Edited the post, hope this one works!

You don't need to roll for your attacks (but you can if you want to - and now that I think of it, that might speed up combat resolution a bit for me). If you've ever played a MUD or something with similar automated combat, it's something like that. You're free to set whichever "clauses" you want, such as "I'll do X but if Bob is hurt I'll cast Cure Light Wounds on him. Also, when that monster is down we're running away." And if a monster happened to, say, paralyze one of you I'd stop then to give you a chance to react to the dramatic change in the situation.

I just don't want to spend a week just to get through a round or two when all that's happened is a pair of hits and a whiff.


I'm waiting on Fentinbrook (which might have ghosted us entirely) and Vandarin. I'll give them a day or two.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:10, Mon 18 May 2020.

*grumbles*  Gonna chuck a dagger at Vandarin's head if he doesn't post his 3 rounds actions. *grumbles*

Alright, I'll update the thread as soon as I have a moment (boy do I feel glad for OD&D's simple combat - that's 12+ actions to resolve per round).

By the way it would probably be good if everyone listed in their Bio (the thing that shows under your character photo) their class, HP, AC like Thorik, Larhart and Black Angus have done.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:46, Wed 20 May 2020.

Done!

All hail Fentinbrook is here! ;-) Glad you made it!

Okay, that was a curb-stomp battle. What are you going to do now? You cannot shoot at them from your current position.

For future instances - please note on your posts attack bonuses from strength and the like, whether you're using +X weapons, et cetera, so as to ensure I don't forget to add bonuses.

I think you meant the other dude, my actions were posted (in time).

And I'm not that well practiced at catching or deflecting daggers.

Don't worry; opening a few barrels is not going to be any more noisy than a collapsing wall, or burning building ;)

By the way, we've unfortunately lost a couple of players (Thorik & Brother Nerrag). Do you guys want me to find someone to replace them, or are you OK with keeping them as NPCs for utility?

Up to you. Seven of us is a good number as long as we're all active. Vandarin still here? Fentinbrook? I hope so.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:38, Thu 28 May 2020.

I agree with Angus.

I agree, seven is likely a good number; nine seemed a bit unwieldy. Unless that size of a party is what the modules called for?

In reply to Bernhard (msg # 79):

Seven is good, I think.

Seven is my lucky number, so very happy with that!

They could rest as henchman.. NPC as torchbearer and occasionally trap-checkers.

Keeping them as henchmen seems the preferred option :)

In reply to Bernhard (msg # 79):

The module calls for 6-8 characters of 4-7 level. Which made 9 people a bit over the line but you guys are on the lower end of the level brack.

Going up to fetch the barrels, dragging them to the stairs, and pushing them down will take 3 rounds.
Fentinbrook - are you throwing daggers?

Apologies, I meant to post an update today, but I got caught up in some business. Expect a new post tomorrow.

They weren't messing around with this thing. You may thank Pelor that it didn't win initiative.

Larhart has a Curing Potion, if you wanna use on him.

I'm assuming the barrels are too big to be carried alone, but if they're small enough Vandarin will tote one down ASAP.

You can roll the barrels to the stairs by yourself, and with the help of someone else bring them down. How exactly are you going to use them?

Whoever thinks is in need of some healing, say it, and Nerrag'll dish out some magic.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 89):

They think the vinegar will dissolve the glue from the monster.

Larhart, I've added +1 to your HP: CLW should do 1d6+1.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:13, Thu 11 June 2020.

Ops, sorry.

Ah, I love it Bernhard. Beautiful!

Oooh, a Bavarian Fire Drill, I love it.

Got lucky on that reaction roll. Not sure how long it will last though.

What do you intend to do?

I certainly don't see anyone saying we shouldn't rest.

I would have tried talking to the slave during the rest, getting a rough idea of the disposition of the buildings nearby, what he knows. Probably wont add to much but we had to try.

Ronan, if you want to talk to the slave, go ahead now - I'll handle it as if it happened during the rest; no time will pass.

As for the others - help yourselves to the healing, you're managing your resources anyway. Just mention you're getting a heal spell so others know how many are left, and add the 1d6+1 to your hitpoints .

As soon as everyone is ready, please tell me which way you're heading next.

Please detail how you're proceeding (opening the door and entering and such)

I'll see if Vandarin & Fentinbrook are still with us, they haven't posted (or logged in) in a while. If they aren't I might have to distribute some of the 'NPCs' to the party as retainers; they're going to be quite a pain to manage otherwise.

So far the damage isn't going to be enough to bring the guard down in the surprise round - are you going to try to force him to surrender, or straight up kill him?

Bernhard would try to kill him.

In reply to Bernhard (msg # 103):

Angus will try to kill too, but will take his surrender.

Same here, trying to kill him as well.

If he doesnt move to his weapon, Ronan doesnt shoot.

Hey, sorry for the radio silence these past couple of days - I've been a bit busy. Luckily I expect to become very much very free within a few hours. Update coming soon :)

So, as for distributing the player-non-player characters among you; who wants to take whom as a hireling?

Vandarin as a fellow elf could come with Larhart.

In reply to Larhart (msg # 109):

I can take someone if you want.

I could take on one as well. Maybe Thorik since we were working together at the start of the game.

Ronan, will you be casting Sleep anyway?

No, I am leaving the game. Thanks for the time.

In reply to Ronan (msg # 113):

Well that sucks!

In reply to Ronan (msg # 113):

Oof, I must have missed or forgotten about the earlier post about putting the guys outside to sleep. Sorry about that, hope you'll reconsider sticking in this game. :(

If you must go, we'll be sad to see you do so, Ronan.

Seeing that over half the party is/will be composed of NPCs, what do you guys think of, in the interest of making things easier to run, putting all the henchmen 'on a bus' so to speak (except perhaps Nerrag for his healing), with me of course cutting down by half the strength of the enemies?
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:29, Tue 07 July 2020.

Not worming flr me, diffsrent style. Have fun!

Or putting the help wanted sign out too. :-(

That will work. They could escort the freed slaves out of the monastery once we've taken the gate.

Farewell then Ronan, it was nice having you with us :)


That can work too, if you guys want me to recruit more players!

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 120):

One or two if you want.

In reply to Black Angus (msg # 121):

I second that. One or two, not replacing all the players who dropped but just some of them.

Ronan and Fentinbrook have been replaced :) Say hello to the newcomers!

Hello all-I'll be your new Ronan.

Excited to give this character concept a try (Druid/ Magic-User)

 New player, New look. I am looking forwad to rping with you all.

Welcome Fentinbrook.

Welcome!

Welcome!

Sorry - been a little busy these past few days.

I'll give our new players a moment to post IC if they want to, and then we'll move on to the next room.

Anyone have Detect Evil on hand?

I'm a fighter, not a paladin.

In reply to Bernhard (msg # 130):

Vandarin has Charme.

Nope.

Sleep and Web are all I have left

In reply to Ronan (msg # 133):

 Does this game use spell components?

In reply to Fentinbrook (msg # 134):

I have color spray, detect magic, and web, for what it's worth.

In reply to Fentinbrook (msg # 134):

I didn't notice your post before replying to your private message - but just to clarify it for everyone else, no, I'm not requiring the use of spell components.

"For what it's worth, I too support not cutting the throat of a defenseless, innocent man!"
"Okay, so, there's several ways to get underground. You're going to want to take the tunnel beneath the statues in the temple. Remember! The trapdoor is trapped - there's a catch in the left foot of the statue to disable the trap. To get to the statues, you must go through the double doors in the courtyard. Listen, make sure to take this route. If you tried to go under through any of the other ways, you'd find trouble real quick. When you go down into the caves beneath, make sure you take the first opening to the left - don't go straight forward: the ant-things will smell you out and make short work of you. Yes, ant-things. I don't know what in the hells they are, and I don't care to find out. Well, you turn left and then you'll have to go through this pit. Just make sure not to fall into it - and by the love of all that's holy, don't touch anything! Then, follow the sewer tunnel until you come to an intersection. You should take the tunnel to the right. I have never been further than this - the innermost chambers are not open to the likes of me. I've merely brought slaves to the tunnels."

Was this information from the "spy" or Bakelion? At first I assumed the spy since the text changed color, but I wanted to be sure.

In reply to Bernhard (msg # 137):

It seems to be an answer to Falan's question.

Yep, it's the spy speaking.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 139):

To answer the OOC question in the IC thread, my understanding was we would in fact be having him restrained thus far. I am starting to think his schtick might be real though.

For the purposes of planning ahead, I have color spray and web--and I wonder if we might be able to agree on whether to use spells if this upcoming encounter turns violent and what spells to use if so. I would readily expend a first round color spray if we run into trouble. The spell would hit between 2 and 7 baddies, so I don't think it's ideal, but if we combined it with sleep it's possible we might drop the whole group in short order.

But, I would probably prefer stealth here.

 Stealth works for Fentin.

Stealth always works

Happy Birthday Gary Gygax!

In reply to Black Angus (msg # 143):

AH! Deja vu! (happy birthday gary)

Stealth is the best first resort.

Just to clarify: I'm giving you guys time to come up with a plan before proceeding to the guards. If you wish I can get you there at once.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 146):

I have been trying to think of a plan. The best I've got is disguising part of the party as slaves to escort them inside.

In order to not stall the game too long, I'm putting you into the next room. You may assume that your characters have discussed and prepared for whichever plan you wish to put into practice. And of course if necessary you may coordinate through OOC chat.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:25, Sat 01 Aug 2020.

Falan, are you just bound, or have you taken the precaution to ditch any (visible) weapons and/or dress yourself in rags appropiate to a slave?

I would say that I'd be bound, with visible weapons removed--in the custody of the others, perhaps?--and dressed in rags. If anyone could make a persuasive argument for why I should not be dressed in rags, I'm willing to hear it. (Maybe leaving the regular outfit on would allow them to claim me as a high-value capture?)

Thorik can be in slave disguise as well. "Bound" with rope he can easily slip off and his weapons concealed.

I don't think we can talk our way through since our spy said he was only able to drop off the slaves at this point. I think our best bet is to get them a bit off guard and then put as many to sleep as possible and use other magic to stun/disorient them.

I guess I come from a growing line of Ronans.

I switched him to a full wizard. Playing a druid/magic user didn't make much sense to me.

Did I read correctly that he should have started with 10k exp, not 9k, and thus should be 4th level--not third?

And, hey, DM, do you have access to the module art?

In reply to Ronan (msg # 152):

Welcome on in, new Ronan, glad to have you!

And yes, I believe if you were playing straight MU you should be 4th level.

In reply to Ronan (msg # 152):

Yep, you're correct.

To which art do you refer? I have the module both in physical [the reprint, not the original A1-A4] and PDF format.

The art within the module? The page 35 illustration of those half-orcs and cleric by Ron Lindham would be a welcome inclusion, for example.

In reply to Ronan (msg # 155):

 Can my boy work his way behind the woman,?

In reply to Ronan (msg # 155):

You mean this one, right? https://imgur.com/a/GOmWO1Q

In reply to Fentinbrook (msg # 156):

Yup, sure, especially considering she's surprised. Beware, though: you will be putting yourself between her and the guards, away from the rest of the party.

Just for clarification:

Are we using the Delving Deeper rules of D6 damage for every weapon?

Do you want us to roll for three attack rounds or just the surprise round to start?

In reply to Bernhard (msg # 158):

Yep, it should be D6 (plus bonus) for all weapons. Our friend Black Angus seems to have gone off his AD&D muscle memory :p

I intend to make another post once the suprise round actions are resolved, since the guards are going to move into position and that may interfere with your plans, so it's alright if you only specify your actions for this first round.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 157):

Just so. Although Scourge of the Slave Lords has its own artwork.

Just incorporate it into the main thread. Post #334 I would think.

Post #348 updated to reflect surprise round.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:49, Fri 07 Aug 2020.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 159):

So just to clarify, for the successful third round attack, I'd roll 3d6 (for my fighter hit dice) against the defenders? Would there be any benefit to rolling a natural 20 here?

In reply to Falan Oakenheel (msg # 161):

 From the shroud of a flickering shadow, cast by a torch, the words of an incantation could be heard.

 * cast a sleep spell on the half- Orcs.*

In reply to Ronan (msg # 160):
There!

In reply to Falan Oakenheel (msg # 161):
Yep, that's it.
I think you can double your HD for the natural 20 hit, sounds fun.

In reply to Fentinbrook (msg # 162):
Did you mean to post this to the other thread? :)


I'll give our friend Larhart a bit more time to post, and I'll make another post tonight (guessing he'll shoot his bow as usual if he doesn't post in time)
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:09, Sat 08 Aug 2020.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 163):

Bravo!

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 163):

Updated my last post with those directions in mind:

"13:13, Today: Falan Oakenheel rolled 25 using 6d6 with rolls of 3,4,2,4,6,6.  for effect of natural 20 unarmed hit."

Not bad!

Are any opponents left standing?

As far as you can see, no.

Oh no! Someone's going to get roughed up.

EDIT: I'm going to wait for the folks who get to act on the surprise round to do so, then I'm going to put up my round 2 actions. Should I assume at this point in time that Falan will have been able to switch back into his regular gear?
This message was last edited by the player at 20:21, Wed 12 Aug 2020.

I was going to cast magic missile but I think issuing a command would count as Ronan's action.

In reply to Falan Oakenheel (msg # 168):

We can assume that is what caused Falan's surprise: he was busy changing. So, to directly answer the question: yes.



In reply to Ronan (msg # 169):

Since the command is fairly simple, you have enough time to cast your spell too.

What were the results of Ronan's surprise round actions?

In reply to Ronan (msg # 171):

My apologies, I completely forgot about the spell. I've edited my post: you dealt 5 points of damage.

And the half-orc thrall?

Magic Missile is an AD&D spell, so 2d4+2?

In reply to Ronan (msg # 173):

I counted him as surprised, since he'll be reacting to your command and he doesn't see Thorik as 'friendly' or the troll as 'unfriendly' (he's charmed by you, but that doesn't turn him into "one of the party" so to speak).

As for the spell, honestly I'd rather keep d6 damage, so I used the OD&D Greyhawk version.
Magic Missile: This is a conjured missile equivalent to a magic arrow, and it does full damage (2-7 points) to any creature it strikes. For every five levels the magic-user has attained he may add an additional two missiles when employing this spell, so a 6th level magic-user may cast three magic missiles at his target, an 11th level magic-user casts five, and so on. Range 15".
I agree that the scaling is a bit funky, though, so maybe we could do the AD&D +1 missile/2 levels instead of the original +2 missiles/5 levels?
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:14, Sat 15 Aug 2020.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 174):

I loose track in combat. Let me know when to attack!

In reply to Black Angus (msg # 175):

You can attack (or whatever you wish) now - we've resolved the surprise round and gone into "normal" rounds now.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 174):

so 2d6+2 instead of d6+1...

 I hope I did that backstab correctly. it has been years since I needed to worry about such.

Larhart seems to be MIA, so I shall take him under my wing for a while as a NPC. His henchman Vandarin, though, is up for grabs. Anyone want to take control of him?

I'm going on holiday this week, I may be unable to post frequently if at all.

In reply to Ronan (msg # 177):

Yep that's it.
10:31, Today: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Ronan, rolled 13 using 2d6+2.  Magic Missile.

In reply to Fentinbrook (msg # 178):
I believe you may be missing a +2, for a total of +5 (+1 from dagger, +4 from backstab). And that +1 also would apply to damage.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 179):

For the next round after the roll on my behalf, I rolled both rounds' combat actions--the first one was a miss as that roll was, but my second roll was a 15 with a 2 on the damage die. (See msg #375.)

I can roll again to reflect the change in situation which the chase represents if you want me to, however. I'll roll for the next couple rounds of the chase at any rate.

In reply to Falan Oakenheel (msg # 180):

Too much going on, what is happening?

In reply to Black Angus (msg # 181):

Well, we're chasing after someone who rushed away when the troll appeared--the "spy," I might guess. It seems like it's a percentile roll to chase, and the mind-controlled orc is very close to catching him. Everyone else, I think, is fighting the troll.

I prefer "converted" to "mind-controlled."

In reply to Ronan (msg # 183):

That's excellent! "Converted."

In reply to Falan Oakenheel (msg # 182):

Yep, that's it.


Alright guys, after this week-long hiatus (sorry, I couldn't find the occasion to post and doing so on the phone is a tremendous bother anyway) I'm back in business. Let's get to hacking and slashing!

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 185):

YAY!!!! Too many of my GMs and DMs are disappearing. In the middle of losing 3 or 4 games! Mostly my Traveller games!

In reply to Black Angus (msg # 186):

Yes... Online play has a pretty high turnover (sometimes ghosting) rate as evidenced, sadly, by our ever-changing roster. I think we lost Larhart too :(




I'm not sure Falan can make the jump, those massive balls might get in the way :-P
What are you going to try to do with the man if/when you catch him?

 I realize that the real world comes first, but one should make the attempt to notify that they are leaving. Sometimes it is not possible, I get that. However,the hordes that go *poof* on here, are just being rude.

In reply to Fentinbrook (msg # 188):

Yup, I've had 3 DMs disappear for 2 to 3 weeks now. The shame is they were good games!

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 187):

Well, Falan's hope is to capture the guy without killing him and probably gag him, with the help of Bernhard and the "converted" slaver.

Any chance we can get a map showing where everyone is? There were a lot of cross tunnels mentioned.

Sure! I believe the tunnels are intentionally confusing and hard to map, but it's true that it's extremely hard to get a sense of place and direction from text description alone.

By the way: in my last post I made a mistake when I said

because for some reason I pictured Falan and the half orc dragging the spy backwards, so everything would be reversed. Disregard all of that. If you're moving forward along the tunnel, it splits to the right, as you will see below.

This is an extremely rough sketch of the tunnels. It is not to scale, and the passages aren't straight like this, obviously.



You have at last encountered each other in this last tunnel.

Yes, thank you, maps are indispensable in these types of sequences.

Howdy folks, I might not be able to post through the weekend, I'll be moving until probably Monday. By Tuesday things should be stable.

In reply to Falan Oakenheel (msg # 194):

Good luck have a safe one

I'm sorry, Bernhard, I hadn't noticed you had understood the situation as your spy fleeing. I probably should've explained better!

So the decision is to kill the prisoner then, right?

In reply to Falan Oakenheel (msg # 194):

Thanks for the heads up, buddy. Have a good and safe one :)

Yeah, looks that way. Expediency rules.

I'll wait a bit to let you guys decide on Fentinbrook's proposal, then we'll move on to the tunnels.

Only way to break the enchantment: make a saving thrown versus spells. Assuming the half-orc has below average intelligence, he gets one attempt per month.

Hey, would you rather take over Larhart (and his henchman Vandarin) as followers, or have them "fade away" from the world with me adjusting the # of enemies slightly to match the party number better? I don't think he's coming back.

EDIT: Or we could also try to find someone to take over one or both of them.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:16, Thu 10 Sept 2020.

Fade away.

It would be nice to get some new players to take them over, but if not I'd be for fading away as well.

In reply to Bernhard (msg # 202):

I would prefer to get new players, but if there are any characters left over who are not accounted for when we come to the end of the first module, fade away.

In reply to Falan Oakenheel (msg # 203):

Advertise, your game!

In reply to Black Angus (msg # 204):

Let me know when the next round is upon us. Then I can attack again.

In reply to Black Angus (msg # 205):

You can do so now!

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 206):

Nerrag is 5th level now. What does he roll for HP DM? He gets 4 hit dice now.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:01, Tue 15 Sept 2020.

In reply to Brother Nerrag (msg # 207):

That's 4d6 for HD. OD&D always gives you d6.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 208):

Thanks!

Are we still walking along the narrow ledge? How narrow is it? Can we move past each other?

In reply to Bernhard (msg # 210):

Yep. It's about two men wide; on the left side of each tunnel. You have to cross a small stone bridge to get to the walkway for the tunnel on the right.

That's a great plan.
However, consider it will take him a few moments to take out the rope and tie it around him (a 'round' so to speak). By which I mean, you can do something else in the mean time of you wished.

I'm just hoping this doesn't get me killed!

I'll be removing Larhart and Vandarin from the game now. Their spirit fades from the world...!
Dhar-Gradvig (the big, burly slave with a lust for vengeance) did not leave with the others and should be currently with the party. Either he's the world's best thief or the GM completely forgot about him because he's a big doofus. Oops.
I'm going to actually start putting all these NPCs on the cast so I don't keep screwing up like this.


In reply to Falan Oakenheel (msg # 213):

Fear of death is a very healthy thing :P

I think I made the trap look a lot more complicated than it really is. There's basically two simple things you can do:
-Simply walk close to the wall so that the ledge doesn't tip over.
-Use a spike as a wedge to stop the trap from moving. Anyone can do this, not just a thief.

To avoid wasting more time on this silly thing, I'll have Thorik walk close to the wall so he can continue forward and scout as he originally planned to, while you decide if you want to spike the trap.

I think we've gotten to the point where we just have to have some map or other. I simply can't navigate a map of this complexity without a visual aid. But neither do I have the drive to map it out myself.

Option 1: Somebody else starts mapping and uploads the image.
Option 2: DM shares cropped images of the original game maps.

Yes, I agree, a map is really needed at this point if only so we can communicate which way we are going.

I see where you're coming from. Even while describing it, I was thinking "this is going to sound a lot more confusing than it actually is".
I'd rather have one of the players do the maps (it's more fun that way IMHO, however it does work worse in online play since you can't just ask a lot of questions easily), but if it's necessary (you tell me) I could see about getting some simple maps done. I think cropping the originals is not a very good idea since they often have stuff in them that's very hard to crop and prone to 'spoil' hidden secrets.
Anybody know an online mapper that allows sharing the maps and keeping them online? I could try cropping Dungeonographer maps otherwise.

I'm sorry; I don't have the mental energy or inclination for such endeavors during the evening. If I were retired or in college, I surely might. But I'm 48, smack dab in the middle of neither.

So, turns out Dungeonographer is pretty fast to use (at least if you don't mind quality).
Earthen tunnels are brown, the trap is red, and I've added some gray zones to show that tunnels that you haven't explored do not end.



How do I make the image not ridiculously large without having to mess with resolution and stuff, though?
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:09, Wed 30 Sept 2020.

It's fine, thanks!

That works. Definitely clears thing up.

In reply to Black Angus (msg # 221):

Says the old man with the old man eyes.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 220):

Is it possible to add a little bit of text or an identifying number to map locations?

For some reason, my last posts didn't actually get posted. Oh well, sorry for the delay.
Uploaded the map to the Game Map section, plus added a thread with the legend as Ronan requested.

Falan has a casting of Web at the ready to pair with that stinking cloud, Ronan!

Casting from the tunnel behind a nice layer of fighters will ensure that the enemy can't get at you... while the fighters still stand of course.

Alright, you lead with web and I'll follow with stinking cloud. If need be, I can cast another web in round 2 or later.

 Sleep,spell

Okay, so for the spellcasters:
Falan casts web
Ronan casts stinking cloud (r2 web?)
Fentinbrook casts sleep

If you're planning on fighting inside the tunnel, note that is pretty tight, and there's only enough space to fight one at a time. However, someone with a long weapon can attack from the second rank; which Ronan's thrall has (a halberd). You can also switch places at any moment so that if the vanguard is injured someone else can take their place, though be aware that it is a complicated affair while fighting for your life (might miss a round of attacks, or accidentally leave your guard open). Another option is to rush out of the tunnel, so that all melee combatants can get their attacks in (though the enemy numbers may prove overwhelming).
What will be your strategy? Please specify the order of the characters in the ranks, up to the rear; also if a character will be firing with ranged weapons. (You needn't include the spy; however Dhar-Gradvig the Big Baklunish Brawler will make his stellar debut this time - he'll be somewhere in the front).
By the way, I assume that Bernhard and Black Angus have their haste potions that they will quaff before fighting; they won't need to lose time drinking them or squander their duration: I assume the vanguard will drink his before the fight begins, or that a reliever drinks just before switching places.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 230):

Man you are great Chombatta! Clairvoyant too! I'll go second from the tunnel. After Bernhardt and the spell casters and the thrall can be in front of me so he can fight too.

Let me know when you want relieved Bern!

Nerrag will heal who he can and as a last resort take up the fight.

Let's just process round #1 on its own, so I can decide about casting web.

Ronan will be in back; stinking cloud can be cast at range.

Trying to stay in the tunnel could give then time to go for reinforcements. Of course there's no guarantee they will come into the tunnel to attack us.

If the spells cast in the first round can incapacitate enough of them, we can evaluate if a rush will be effective.

Taking out the ogres should be the first priority.

Bernhard is willing to go first.

Thorik will use his sling.

Yes, I think it'd be better to process round 1 and decide where to go from there.

Wow, your spells so far have been enormously effective.

Let's get a status check after we execute the surprise round.

Bernhard: the room is covered in sticky webs; you're going to need a saving throw against Paralysis to not get tangled up (I will let you add the bonus from the potion).
If you still want to go through with that course of action, that is.

Ah, did not realize that. I'll edit my post accordingly and use a bow.

In reply to Bernhard (msg # 238):

Do we want a second web?

Can I get a tally of remaining combatants and their current status?

In reply to Ronan (msg # 240):

12 orcs are still standing out of the original 18, and 3 ogres remain, one of which is slightly wounded. All are bound by the web at the start of the first round.

Will the webs stack?

In reply to Ronan (msg # 242):

They will re-entangle anyone who broke through the first, and make those still in the process of tearing their bindings apart start again (and perhaps make it slightly harder, but not doubly as hard).

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 243):

I think a second Web and some additional orc-killing would be ideal, then!

In reply to Falan Oakenheel (msg # 244):

 Is there a clear field if fire ti the ogres?

In reply to Fentinbrook (msg # 245):

Yep, you can stand at the edge of the room and fire with no problem.



By the way, let me remind you of the following just in case:

A not-so-quick clarification: all the sleeping orcs are dead, and the remaining are not within melee range [this especially goes for you Falan, I was assuming you would shoot them with your bow but if you happened to want to do something else you can tell me].
Webbed enemies are sitting ducks but still have a slight chance to avoid damage (taking into account armor and such), so ranged attacks are at +4 and melee attacks are at +8. You can move through the web-filled room at half your speed and attack, but that's going to require a saving throw for each to avoid getting tangled up [only until your next turn, that is, you are only prevented from completing your action in the turn you fail the save - you won't get stuck like if you got hit by the spell cast] in web strings (you can avoid the saving throw for the attack if you use something small like a dagger... you could also cut the webs as you go through, but that might be counterproductive since you might aid your enemies in freeing themselves). Or you could move through at a really slow speed (1ft per round) and avoid entanglement altogether, but that's going to be excessively slow for the combat [it'd take you at least 5 rounds to reach the first orc].

I'll give Angus a bit more to post.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 247):

For what? I went in and killed sleeping orcs that were web free. My ranged weapon is a sling and bullets.

Remember all weapons do D6 damage in Delving Deeper, so everything is worth hitting with.

In reply to Black Angus (msg # 248):

Oh, I only wanted to be sure you were going to make a ranged attack (instead of charging in for example).

In reply to Bernhard (msg # 249):

Yep, exactly! Do keep in mind that I might give out bonuses or penalties in certain situations (e.g. fighting against a halberd with a dagger is pretty hard, it might impose a -2 to hit)

The ogre that remains conscious is trapped this round, but will free himself in the next turn and act freely the one after that.
The orcs will need at least 5 turns to free themselves.

10 orcs remaining (1 very injured), 2 ogres remain (1 unconscious)
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:23, Thu 22 Oct 2020.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 250):

New round DM? Nerrag has no range weapon so he's done after killing a sleeping orc.

Yes, will be updating as soon as I'm up in the morning . Sorry for the delay, I've been a bit busy.

Is there space enough to stage an ambush against the aspis?

Probably, depends on the details. What are you planning exactly?
The room after the tunnels is 40x10', while the dug out part is about 20x20'. The tunnels themselves are too narrow for more than one person at a time. (see map)

I will give Falan a few more hours to post, otherwise will asume a regular bow shot.

Ronan: fighting hand to hand with the ants requires moving about 40' into the tunnel (a distance that is too long to cover and still attack in one turn due to the water slowing you down), and in any case only one character would be able to fight at a time due to the narrow width of  the corridor.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 256):

Wait for them to come to us, They have to face several of us, one at a time.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 256):

post updated

In that case someone needs to cover the right hand tunnel.

Again, I think we have a bit of a mapping issue, which, despite the last attempt, remains unresolved.

How about something like this?



Something the DM can quickly sketch out, upload to a site, and then post in this game.

I think the posted game map shows the area pretty well. We are in room 6. There are three tunnels leading south. The middle one is where we are currently engaged in fighting the approaching aspis. Bernhard has moved to block the western tunnel. The eastern tunnel also presumably has enemies moving toward us. There is also a door in the eastern wall (shown by the gray square).

Oh, well, now that you explain it maybe we should hustle through that door and away from the tunnels?

In reply to Ronan (msg # 262):

Yep, that's the plan that Falan suggested in my last post.

So, some of the party is running and others are fighting? Has Angus charged down the middle tunnel?

He's fighting a rearguard action I would say.

In reply to Ronan (msg # 260):

Have you seen the updated map? I think it's not that far from what you posted.
I've realized that I can put the legend into the map image itself; I will do so the next time I update it, it'll be clearer that way.



Clarification:
The monsters in the middle tunnel are still under the effect of the stinking cloud, and will be until the end of round 2. Afterwards it will take them one entire round to reach the end of the tunnel (no attack).
The monsters in the other tunnel will also take about two rounds to reach the end of the tunnel.
About the remaining tunnel you know nothing yet, but what is in there is not too close judging from the sound.

So you won't have enemies at melee range until a couple of rounds go by.

Where we at in terms of this round, btw?

Apologies, this was perhaps a bit confusing.
We have finished round 1, round 2 is about to start - are you fleeing or standing and fighting?

I would say we're conducting a rolling rear guard action as we maneuver to the door and ultimately through it. Perhaps that would be best adjudicated by you.

Yes, since actions were already posted I thought it was decided; we're all doing something different ;).

Plus only three of us have posted so far.

If we can redo our last posts, I'd say we all make our way toward the east door. We have two rounds before our foes make it into the room.

I just used a sling, I can still move to the door.

In reply to Black Angus (msg # 271):

Admittedly, I was confused about the actions as well.

I think Falan, for once, is taking a forward position, so his blade is readied and he's moving to strike anyone in his way.

In reply to Falan Oakenheel (msg # 272):

So, to be completely sure, Falan is staying behind/charging ahead while the rest of the party retreats?
If Falan does so, the baklunish will probably fight with him too.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:55, Thu 26 Nov 2020.

Maybe there is some confusion with language here.

We can't be said to retreating if we're going to a new place (through the door on the eastern wall). Typically, retreating means going back the way you came.

So Falan is likely charging ahead to open that door.

Ah! I see, it makes a lot of sense now. Yep, got confused.

There's another tunnel. It is reflected in the map (though I think that if you don't see the full picture you might not realize), but I forgot to describe it in words. I edited the post.

Are there any sleep spells remaining among the spell casters?

In reply to Bernhard (msg # 277):

 Fresh out. Fen has a prismatic spray.

We need to keep them from the gong to raise the alarm.

How far are the orcs from the opening? Would it take a full round to reach them and engage in melee?

I get the feeling we're going to need to save that for something further ahead!

You can charge and attack in a single round.
@Ronan: Yes, you are at the opening.

Did Ronan hit? He has a +1 dagger and does an additional +1 dmg with enchanted weapons.

In reply to Ronan (msg # 282):

Oh, in that case, that's a hit, and added to the thrall's damage, enough for a kill.

4v2 > 3v2.

Yes, falling back to the bottleneck seems the best plan. Would this take a round of a fighting retreat or just assume it happens?

In reply to Bernhard (msg # 285):

We can just assume it happens; we didn't specify a precise location at the start.
Besides, I think that it should be possible to walk back slowly a few feet while fighting. The round-based nature of the game sometimes makes you think in strange ways when it comes to the 'fiction' of it.

Happy Xmas guys! Will update tomorrow

I've just realized that I neglected to account for the ranged fire entirely (Falan & Thorik). Fixed.

Who's going to take the place of the downed fighter?
Happy New (impending) Year!

Well, I certainly *could* take the place of the downed fighter, if no one else plans on it.

Thoughts?

Thought: one fighter in place of another.

I believe we are fresh out of additional fighters.

How bad off is Nerag? Bernhard is down to 8 hp.

In reply to Bernhard (msg # 292):

Nerrag is down to 9 from 18.

Seems like Nerrag is the best one to fill the hole then; especially with an AC of 0. ;)

Perhaps someone with a high Charisma can wander out and try to distract the bartender?

 Do you want Fentinbrrok to relieve  the Bartender of the worry, of what his next meal will be?

I think stealth is the better path here. We'll want to use this entrance again. Maybe someone can lure him away so the rest of us can sneak out?

My Charisma is unfortunately a 10, or else I would volunteer.

Bernhard has and 11 and Thorik a 12. I can send him out if that's the best we have.

In reply to Bernhard (msg # 299):

I am worried that he actually might be!

In reply to Falan Oakenheel (msg # 300):

Angus' charisma is 7, Nerrag's is 4.

What a charming bunch. Thorik it is!

In reply to Bernhard (msg # 302):

A charisma of 12 and he's tops, we are a charming group! ;-)

In reply to Black Angus (msg # 303):

Time for Thorik to slather on the charm, I guess!

In reply to Black Angus (msg # 303):

Thank you for noticing.

Charisma isn't everything ;) a good enough bluff generally needs no special characteristics

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 306):

I did think Ronan had attempted a bluff with his belch and snore.

Come to think of it, we should have gotten a room instead of shredding the pup. Pity Ronan's a maniac.

It's endearing, and terrifying.

In reply to Ronan (msg # 307):

Of course, I just wanted to give everyone a chance to chip in

This would be an opportunity to skedaddle or to play out our hand via intimidation.

So you'll be attempting to bribe the innkeeper and then leave to find the herbalist/further supplies? Or is someone going to stay here?

I think most of us should stay here. We're going to need to sleep to recover spells.

In reply to Ronan (msg # 313):

Any chance of a regenerate spell on the lost leg? Or does he need a prosthetic.

In reply to Black Angus (msg # 314):

You're not going to find altruistic priests of a high enough level in this town. Obtaining a similar effect here is probably going to cost a hefty amount of gold (or something worse), and likely have some nasty side effects. But it is possible.
If he doesn't get such powerful healing, he will need surgery to survive. He could die on the operating table - but healing spells of a lesser kind will help him make it through. A prosthetic will help him walk around, but also impede his fighting ability.

In reply to Ronan (msg # 313):

If it's for that reason, don't worry. You can all go together without losing significant time, and we can avoid splitting the party (i.e. it won't take the "away team" enough time for those who stay to fully rest, so going or not makes little difference).

Probably better to stick together then.

In reply to Bernhard (msg # 316):

1000 posts. We need money to regenerate his leg so he can continue the fight. This ain't Traveller so no cybernetics, maybe a gnome machine, bionics?

Many things can be found in the bazaar. And even those who have no coin to buy them with may find a way of payment.

Thank you Bernhard for taking the time to put together that list of treasure. As per Black Angus' suggestion, I've added it to the reference thread. By the way, since 1GP=1XP, that's 5092 XP to share among the party. Each character should gain an additional 1018 experience points, for a total of 14,124 I believe.

So; it seems you will be leaving? Where to? Also, what will you do with/to the innkeeper?

Yeah, I guess we're going to wander about, leaving the innkeeper be, and look for a place to squat.

In reply to Ronan (msg # 320):

If I have everything right on my end, that will be the 4th level in fighter for old Oakenheel! Very exciting.

In reply to Falan Oakenheel (msg # 321):

If I'm not mistaken, aren't you short 2.000XP? (1.000XP per class)

Short for a level up? I didn't think so--10,000 starting XP distributed across the two classes + 4,124 (with the 5% prime requisite bonus) should cover the 8,000 needed for 4th level Delving Deeper indicates for Fighter.

I did notice, however, that in DD I cannot switch experience gain over to MU until the end of an "adventure," so assuming the customary 4-level cap for elf fighters, I'll be stuck there for some time.

Unless you mean I have marked down too little experience, in which case--woops.

Disregard my last post, Falan- I just divided the total experience by two (which wouldn't indeed give yoy enough to level up). Been playing too much Pool of Radiance :D

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 324):

Love Pool of Radiance.

Oh my--I saw the HD roll of 4d6 for Nerrag, and rolled my level 4 hit dice in the same way, getting...9, 3 less than I previously had.

Sometimes you win, and sometimes...you lose. :)

In reply to Falan Oakenheel (msg # 326):

The dice giveth, the dice taketh.


(Just to be clear: you if roll under your HP, you add 1 to your current total)

I say we just reenter right here.

Why not?

Hey, Fentin, didn't we enter this place through the basement (from the slaver's lair?)

That was my recollection. :)

In reply to Falan Oakenheel (msg # 331):

 Never mind then.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:39, Sun 21 Mar 2021.

Anyhow, I think we're good just returning to the lair w/o further rp. Do we have a caller for this group?

In reply to Ronan (msg # 333):

We'll go back underground shortly, I think.
No caller; if you want to establish one that's fine with me.


Sorry, I may be a little slow posting this week; a large exam to whose preparation I dedicated most of my time during the last year is coming up. Not that I have much to do left, but the strees and likelihood of failure is killing my drive to function.

So what exam has you by the balls, so to speak?

In reply to Ronan (msg # 335):
It's the exam medical graduates have to take to acquire a position as a resident in order to specialize for the next 4-5 years (and be allowed to work in their field thereafter). I think a rough equivalent, at least in terms of scope, is the american USMLE/Step or the UKMLA in the UK.
Thankfully, it's done now. Hopefully I'll get something out of it.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 336):

Good luck!

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 336):

Is the failure rate for this exam high in your country? Have you always had this sense of foreboding about your prospects?

What do the takers who fail typically do for professions, providing they don't lapse into years of depression?

Hoping you get good news, DM!


(Of course, I think Falan can't stow a weapon and retrieve another, but nonetheless he steps forward, and reaches for his sword, which he'll draw before the next round.)

Thank you!

In reply to Ronan (msg # 338):

Well, there's about seven thousand posts for fourteen thousand candidates, so at least there's a 50% failure rate. But then you have to factor in that that is counting all posts for all specialties, so depending on which particular one you desire, the odds are much worse (that is, the test is only a way to rank everyone to give them a choice of specialty, so if you're the 1st, you'll be the first to pick and can thus pick any post, but if you are the 6000th, your options will be more limited with the ones in high demand probably gone already). I want Family Medicine, which should be reasonably within my possibilities (something like Plastic Medicine wouldn't be, for example). However, for whatever reason, probably due to exhaustion, I began scoring lower and lower in the preliminary practice tests we do in the preparatory academies, so it felt like my goal was slipping away from me. These don't necessarily mean anything, though: what counts is the real test.

There's scant little alternative if you don't 'pass'; you can't really practice medicine, the only jobs available will be workplace/insurance related. Most people retake the test. I have strongly considered joining the army as a medical officer.

---

Something I should've made a bit clearer: the chief and his bodyguards aren't 1HD monsters, so the fighters won't get the usual multiple attacks against orcs (I'd give fighters level/monsterHD attacks, but since they're 3HD you don't get more than one). The remaining half-orc also was 2HD, so 4th level fighters that attack him plus other normal orcs get two attacks in total (level 4/2 HD = 2 attacks, spread between multiple combatants).

The thing is family medicine really isn't a specialty; it's the choice for generalists.

I think it's genuinely possible that accumulated fatigue could lead to worsening performances on the practice exams. There is also the law of diminishing returns.

I should think that a certain percentage of the applicants shouldn't ever, you know, practice medicine. Is that %50? Unlikely. That's more a measure of supply/demand--not that there is solace in that for those in the 45th percentile.

I expect in the US some of those folks would wind up as nurse practitioners who effectively work as PCPs anyhow. I don't care if one of my clients sees a PCP or NP.

I'm happy to say that the ranking estimations for my test so far are pretty good. :)

In reply to Ronan (msg # 341):

Heh, some people would murder you for saying that (I get what you mean, though). You do have to go through 4 years of training like any other specialty here anyway.


I don't really think this test could/should determine whether someone is unfit to practice medicine. After all, it's just a test: you can have a bad day or just be very bad at tests while still being a competent physician. Mostly we're being tested on our ability to remember more or less irrelevant minutiae (there are usually a bunch of questions about clinical cases which everyone should  know, but also a lot of stuff that the average person would just look up or know from use). And of course, we've already jumped through a lot of hoops to get here; in fact we need to have our medical degrees already to take the tests, we're technically doctors if not specialists (with pretty much zero experience however).

And about supply and demand... well, everything is pretty crazy here: supposedly we have a shortage of physicians and resources in general, to the point that certain administrations (it's an almost completely public healthcare system) have in certain cases hired specialty-less medical graduates during the pandemic to cover for physicians on sick leave, which really shouldn't  be happening. But there's hardly been an increase in posts to actually train new specialists or medical graduates (in the latter case there's actually less). And of course there's the physicians who move to another country after getting their training years done because of the huge difference in salaries.
I suspect it's because of funding issues; you know how it is with public stuff: everyone wants the thing, but nobody wants to pay for the thing, and healthcare costs a pretty penny. Everything was pretty rough even before COVID, and it's only got worse since.


I don't understand the figure of the NP in the US (haven't looked too deep into it either), probably because it's something that doesn't exist here. Are they usually MDs?

Do you work in healthcare too?

An NP is, for all intents and purposes, a cheaper doctor of internal medicine. Cheaper to pay and cheaper to train (just need to complete a master's level nursing program which would include some kind of internship but nothing like what an MD would complete). But only the brightest of nurses would become NPs.

NPs do work in specialties as well. One of my clients will be seeing an NP for his multiple wrist fractures courtesy of a scooter accident. The ER had referred him to a orthopedist who reviewed his chart and recommended the Umass Hand and Upper Extremity Center so he could be seen sooner. When I made his appointment, it was with an NP.

We also have nurse specialists who act as psychiatric prescribers in mental health clinics.

So there it is. I'm a community (senior in rank) care coordinator. In 2018, the state of Massachusetts started a care coordination program to provide additional supports and services to "high cost" consumers of health care services -- that is individuals with SUDs, mental illness, and other chronic health conditions. Or, you know, a homeless guy who uses the ER as his one-stop PCP shop. Which doesn't work. So the state farmed this out to social service agencies across the state; mine specializes in housing the chronically homeless but also has mental health clinics. Another one runs the methadone clinic and long-term treatment facilities. Etc. Etc.

Mass is singular among the states in that it provides universal health care. If you make less than X dollars, you get free medicaid (called Masshealth). It's excellent. If you make too much, then you can get a subsidized plan.

In other words, I'm an unlicensed social worker with a specialty in coordinating medical services. I have an RN supervisor.

I would peg you as living in the Netherlands or north of there.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:00, Sat 03 Apr 2021.

In reply to Ronan (msg # 343):

I see. That makes sense. I don't say this often out loud because I don't want to be the typical know-it-all blabbermouth, but looking back on these past seven years I feel like a lot of time was wasted. Not just in the typical 'why do I have to learn X if I'm going to be Y and never see it in my life'; I mean that the way it's presented, you barely retain anything that you learn and end up with zero practical experience. Instead of making sure that you have all that you need, they just throw as much as they can at you, perhaps hoping that if they give you more to study you'll know more. The result is that you cram everything for the exam, vomit it into the page, and promptly forget almost everything. After six years I was thoroughly green at the hospital, while nurses on the second year of their degree were already comfortable doing the daily tasks of their job. Obviously, it isn't the same, but then again you're not magically more experienced once you jump onto your first year of residence. I think there's got to be some inefficiency in there.
I haven't even finished my training yet; there's four years of residency to go (yes, also for FM). That's eleven years until you have a fully-fledged physician. And all of those are paid for by the state, since universities are public here.

That is fascinating. A large part of why I'm choosing FM is because I find the community/social/public health side of medicine very interesting (the official name of the specialty is "Family and Community Medicine" here). And since there's no Emergency Medicine specialty here, I can also work in the ER, which I also like.

And... nope! In fact, look to the south: Spain.
So low-income patients get healthcare for free? I knew there were subsidies and such, but nothing to that extent. There's the idea around here that "in America they just let poor people die"; people are (or have been made to be) really proud of our universal public health system, especially those with particular political leanings, and the USA is an easy target to strawman when any sort of reform is considered. Not that I'm advocating for or against anything, but sometimes I think shortcomings are overlooked to feel better about ourselves.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 344):

Total BS, the poor get care for free in America. If they come to the ER, they WILL be treated. Illegal to turn them away. The hospital just charges more to everyone else to cover the cost.

Mr. Angus mostly has the right of it -- and our politics diverge widely. Of course, emergency care is one thing; extended treatment through a PCP and specialists would be another. But people don't die because they're poor. If you're a destitute alcoholic in my state, if you really care to, you can eventually get a room in a boarding house, great healthcare, etc. etc. AND REMAIN AN ALCOHOLIC. And that's better than so many of the alternatives.

So, yes, Massachusetts provides free health care for ANYBODY who makes less than, say, 17k or so a year. Now in another state, you might have to qualify for SSI (social security insurance) on account of chronic health conditions before you can get medicaid (free health insurance). Or you might just need to be a young mom. It just varies by state is all I'm saying. But if you're poor in one of those states, you would get subsidized insurance. And I'll just come out and say it: medical care, on the whole, is outstanding. It's hard to see this because we aren't the healthiest of people (high rates of obesity).

Ah, my thoughts just trend towards Sweden because my favorite procedurals were written there: the Story of Crime by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö set, of course, in the failed socialist state of Sweden (1965-75).

Yep, they've made you waste years jumping through their hoops. At least they're paying you to entertain them. Is that better than getting a better education in the US but paying an absurd amount for it? I can't say.

 Folks, with all due respect, can we cease with the current conversation? Tempers might flair, if the current path is continued. Many thanks.

Haha, sorry. I guess I don't get to talk shop at home all that often. Talk around here is all about teaching but I'll leave that be too.

Agreed :) I also suppose our talk wasn't terribly interesting to most of you on top of that.

Ronan still has plenty of magic left. I have no idea how close we are to the final encounter but it's a doozy. I remember that.

Hmmmm...attack or wait?

I'm actually quite comfortable with the idea of going along with this for now. Maybe they will really take us to their boss. :)

In reply to Falan Oakenheel (msg # 352):

I feel like Ronan is scarier than the slavers...

In reply to Falan Oakenheel (msg # 353):

He is!

We're bribing the ogres, right?

It's the one year anniversary of the game. Happy birthday, Slavers, and here's to another year of good rolls for the slaver-slayers!
Updated the map on the Map Legend thread

Happy one year, A1-A4!

@Black Angus: check if you've got a bonus to XP, as several of us do.

In reply to Falan Oakenheel (msg # 357):

I do.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 356):

Amazing!

The description might have been misleading: the wall that 'blocks' the way west is low enough to simply vault over it (it is 3'/1yd/0.9m high).

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 360):

Ever 'vault' in armor? Ain't happening that easy if at all.

I'm pretty sure I haven't done anything a pc has done except for eating and sleeping.

Hopefully there isn't a pit on the other side of the wall. :)

Are you sure? You might want to review earlier posts. The long-winded nature of PbP makes one forgetful.