Because every games need a place for players to talk to each others!

Hi... How's everything going?

Not too well, I'm afraid... Only one other person asked to join, but his RTJ needed a bit of a change, and he hasn't replied yet. I'll see if someone else PM by the end of the week, but it looks like it will be a small game...

Still no new player news. I'll bump the add tomorrow, but go ahead and make your character. I'll start the story when you're done.

Can you please turn on

"Variable Width, Word Wrap On"

on my character sheet? Not being able to see a whole line at once drives me nuts.

Anyway, I think I'm done! I went with Istvan the cleric, since that seemed to me like the more-fun character concept...

Also, did you know you can configure the dice roller? For Dungeon World games I like to configure the default to 2d6, and Record Each Die...

It took me a while to find the link, but I've managed to set the dice roller. Boy it's small...

Yay! Thank you...

Hi an arcane duelist here.

Anyone have a sheet I can put in the sheet area and fill out or should I just make my own.

There's not really any txt character sheet that I could find. I'm afraid you'll have to build it manually.

np on my way to work in  a second, have a 12 hour shift. Will have it ready overnight and ready to post later tonight .

Welp, Noric isn't happy, so I guess it's time for Istvan to confront these dudes, but I'll wait for my new arcane duelist friend first... So, tomorrow...

I have a problem. I can,t edit my description because it bugs. Can GM put in my description my "request access" message so i have my character sheet?

I copied your character sheet. Can you modify it now?

In reply to The Patchwork God (msg # 14):

Sure! Thank you!

My sheet is done, I will be a half-elf (took the elf trait) arcane duelist.

Looking forward to gaming with you all.

I can start now?

You setup is posted, and you can both present your characters!

So I was gonna use Hack and Slash, but then I read this, from the rules:



This isn't melee, because they haven't even noticed I'm here yet. So... can I just say "Istvan knocks one of the men out?"

Then, of course, I'll have to deal with the second guy, but still...

Yep, no H&S since you have the surprise. You still have to roll for damage to see if he goes down, but he won't get the chance to reply if he survives.

Greetings! Ingris Dal'Rizwan (Ingris of the tribe of Rizwan) here. Barbarian, warrior, and searcher for the finer things in life. Just got in, and the GM has told me that there'll be a way for me to connect with y'all soon.

Say-- let's talk more about this "drawing" that the women are looking at. Is it just a piece of paper tacked to the wall? Could Istvan just grab it and crumple it up?

No, it's actually painted on the wall. Maybe you could try to cover it up, the 'altar' in front of it does seem to have a drape on it.

So... is there any reason Istvan could NOT pull the drape to cover it up?

I mean... if you're trying to tell me "Istvan can absolutely pull the drape and hide the image, but I don't guarantee that it'll instantly snap the women out of it as you obviously must want," then I would understand that.

If you mean "maybe Istvan can pull the drape and hide the image, but maybe he can't," then we need to talk about this setup some more.

If you mean the first thing I said, then Istvan is gonna do it real soon and hope for the best...
This message was last edited by the player at 13:45, Mon 12 Oct 2020.

Well, you're not sure it will snap them out. But the real question is how you would keep the cover over the drawing. The symbol is drawn on a wooden wall. You could cover it with the drape, but unless you can think of a way to keep it in place, you'd have to stand there while the other slaver is coming to attack you.

AH. So it's not the kind of drape that automatically stays when you draw it. It's just lying somewhere right now. Got it.

How about if Istvan... grabs the dagger that the guy Istvan already knocked out drew (and therefore presumably just dropped) and use that to pin the drape over the image, interrupting the ladies' view of it?

I mean, I'm pretty sure that'd work... but does Istvan have time to do it before he gets attacked by the second dude?

Or is it a case of "maybe he can and maybe he can't, roll for it"?

If so, what would I roll, Dex I guess?

It could be done... though it would be easier with two daggers instead of one. But yeah, a roll to Defy Danger on dex could do it in time.

Would a 7 get it pinned? Or would it need a 10?

This would be a time for  Defy danger roll. Tell the DM how you are going to do it, Using personality in a taunt to slow the guy down roll with Cha Using pure  speed and reflexes to just stay ahead of him roll with dex. Any skill could be used if you can explain how it relates.

So use your best or one of your second best and explain it away and go for it.

Um, no, I know about Defy Danger rolls, but I want to know my odds. I'd like to know if a 7 would be enough to get it done.

If it wouldn't, then it'd be too risky, and I'll just try to attack the guy right away.

So I'd like to know if a 7 would be enough to block the image, please. (If I'd take damage on a 7-9, but I'd still successfully get the image blocked, I'd still give it a shot...)
This message was last edited by the player at 14:56, Mon 12 Oct 2020.

It would block it, though with a downside. What the downside is... you'll have to roll to find out!

UGGGH, I'll take a shot. Here I go...

was that our que for the next round or are we waiting for them to attack.

Welcome Ingris, will be fun to fight with you.

Oh indeed. Indeed it will!

The thing about Dungeon World... is there's no initiative. Or turn. Or NPC checks. You just say what you do (and make whatever roll goes with it), and I tell you how the worlds react. So, act when you feel ready!

NP I just wanted to make  sure I give others and you time to post as well. I want to play and interact with the others not just play myself  all the time. my next post going up real  soon.

No problem! I'm sure we'll be adjusting our posting rates as we go.

Although I know that's how Dungeon World is SUPPOSED to work, no GM involved with any Dungeon World game I've ever played has ever actually 100% played it that way like you seem to be doing so far. (Myself as GM included.)

So yeah, that means I'll ask you less often "will you allow me to try this next" nor "is this move what you want me to do next" and just go with the flow and try stuff from now on...

1d10 plus 13?

For Hack and Slash?
This message was last edited by the player at 15:40, Wed 14 Oct 2020.

I think he confused what the Hack and Slash roll meant.

Vos, when you see "roll + Str", that means you roll 2d6 and add the modifier of your stat. So for Hack and Slash, that's 2d6+1 in your case. If the result is 7 or more, you deal your damage die, plus any bonus you have at the moment.

Istvan's father is a pirate, so it would make sense for Istvan to know a little about ships.

If you don't buy that, I guess Khaaven Gryphonblade could try to Spout Lore to tell us what to do next to pilot the boat? Maybe?

You couldn't really sail the ship, but you know enough to drip the anchor, and the town's navy will come and help you return to the docks.

And that's your transition to the Phoenix's Nest thread!

Of course we will want to keep the ship for our team. We can use it for our quarters and transportation when needed. Or if needed just sell for coin to buy a place for us.

Unfortunately, this barbaric civilized country does not grant automatic ownership of all the possessions of slain criminals to those who have slain them.

Peeks into the OOC

Greetings friends

Hi

so yeah hi, I have no idea what I'm doing so, if I need to edit or change anything in a post please let me know

Sorry if that last post was crap. Sent from my phine3

My thoughts on the board:

1. Bandit hunt: sounds most exciting

2. Phantom orchid: sounds less exciting

3. Devon: Cabbage theft? Sounds like we're way overqualified

4. Hunt escort: Sounds next-most interesting after Bandit Hunt. Might lead to us running into the bandits anyway

Cabbage thief must pay for his crimes!

Alternately, bandit hunt is a nice way to earn more saltwater.

I think, OOCly, an escort quest for what -looks- to maybe be nobles would be high-larious for Ingris' temperment.

babysitting nobles sounds interesting. all they do is get drunk and shot each other with their bows, and pretend to be brave warriors?

and yes all bandits should pay.



I'm new to the whole idea so I just follow for now

Okay, so that's three sets of opinions, and Vos hasn't checked in in a while, so... Khaaven?

I like bandits first,

So a general vote for the bandits then? Unless there's an objection, I'll start the thread tomorrow.

Went back and edited my most recent post-- twice. Sorry about that.

...What rules thread?

You can't see the Rules Notes in the notices?

Well, just in case, here it is:

Sling (near, 2 coins, 0 weight)
Pouch of Smooth Stones (2 ammo, 0 coins, 1 weight) can be replaced in about an hour, or 10 minutes near a riverbed.
Pouch of Clay Balls (3 ammo, 1 coin, 1 weight)
Pouch of Lead Balls (2 ammo, +1 damage, 3 coin, 1 weight)
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:43, Wed 28 Oct 2020.

No, I very much cannot. I see no notices at all. Is it//are they group zero...?

(Other players, can YOU see any notices//Rules Notes?)





I will spend 8 coins (after selling my box of spices) for a sling and 4 ammo worth of lead balls for it.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:41, Wed 28 Oct 2020.

No i ont see it either. I only see

The Nest
 introductions to the blade
The Bandit hunt
 OOC
World of
Thats all the threads i see

It seems I misunderstood what group Z was for. I've moved them to group 0 instead. Not that there's much in either of those threads, anyway.

i see people long in but no one posts. are we waiting for something, someone

om sorry I'm impatient
This message was last edited by the player at 00:15, Sat 31 Oct 2020.

Personally, I'm waiting for someone to answer the waitress.

I'm holding back in hopes of other people posting, but if we don't get anything by tomorrow, I'll step up.

Yeah, sorry, I'm ready to move on-- I'm looking at Istvan, seeing if he wants to comment right now, and he's kinda being a wallflower.

I'll nudge him a bit more...

im sorry im such a noob

so when doing DD we can chose with

…by powering through, +Str
…by getting out of the way or acting fast, +Dex
…by enduring, +Con
…with quick thinking, +Int
…through mental fortitude, +Wis
…using charm and social grace, +Cha

so do we choose with one that we have best chance with example if wis is 16 so there is the +2 vs the int 15 with the +1 ... go with the wis right...



or do you choose the one that makes more sense to go with the for the stories

this boar. if I have no dex i would not choose to use dex but it sounds best in stories


I mean how do you get out undamaged with mental fortitude.


i hope this makes sense

Ok perception and understanding is using wisdom. So your knowledge of boars or stories you were told say that they attack in certain ways. You use that and perception maybe to move in such a way to have some obstacle in the way etc.

Ideally, you want to decide what your character chooses to do, and roll what fits best. So to dodge out of the way, you'd use DEX, while trying to play toreador could fit as INT. For a druid, you could try changing into a small animal or bird to avoid the charge, letting you use WIS since that's your shapeshifting stat.

So by doing the shape shift to get out of way. Would you roll once to see if the spellworked and once to see if weather the spell worked or not did i get out of the way of the big boar??

Or is it more likw if the spell works i do get out of the way. If not i am ... Trampled or what have you

No, you would be using the Defy Danger move, describing it as you changing shape. It's not the same as using your Shapeshift move, so you don't have it's benefit, you just have the result of the Defy Danger move.

So i would shift in to a squirrel hide. Then revert back to normal once the trampling boar passed

That's right. Just describe what you do in the thread, and make your roll.

Can I use 'what are you waiting for' on the threat?

Sure. As long as it's not against a mindless opponent, you can make yourself threatening enough to draw their attention.

1. Ignoring armor, again?

2. I guess the boar was too angry to answer the druid asking him why he was so upset...?
This message was last edited by the player at 18:45, Mon 09 Nov 2020.

1. Not this time.

2. Between a screaming challenger and a softly spoken falling... something, the boar focused on the challenger. If Leilatha can come up with a way to make the boar pause for a moment, maybe she can try to Parley with it. But considering how combative boars are normally, that may be a bit difficult.

Jee-PERS. Istvan was considering trying to attack again, but now after THOSE two mighty attacks, I'm waiting to find out if the boar is dead yet...

Yeah, that was honestly amazing. RNGesus is a friend today.

So... How does the whole hold thing work??

Shift i get 3 hold for rolling 10+

Thats 3 moves do i roll for the success? Im finding conflicting info

Your 'holds' are basically how many times you can use that specific Move's abilities. So for Shapeshift, you can spend your hold to do squirrel things, like hiding away small objects in your cheek pouch, or quickly escaping from a threat.

So did i use a move. I jusr scampered up the hill to have a look???

No. If you're doing something you could do without being transformed, then you don't have to spend a hold. But if you wanted to run up a tree to escape someone chasing you, then you could spend a hold to skip a Defy Danger roll.

Ok. Well technically speaking. It would not be as easy for half elf to walk up the the cave and see whats in there vs the small wooldland critter.

maybe im over thinking it. I do that

So rolling a 10, thats a 3hold. I can use to intimidate. So i have 2 holds

Hey guys, advice-- should I:

--drop the invisibility to talk to this guy, so I don't spook him too much, or

--try to talk to him while invisible, since once I drop it I can't get it back anytime soon...?

Looks like you'll have to decide on your own. I will say, the guy seems to be a guest as far as you can tell.

It is totaly up to you what your char does.

I personaly dont have any opinion either way.

I am considering chomping up those 3 or 4 going to investigate.  If we do then have a lot less to deal with later.

Okay, I feel more informed... any other questions anyone wants me to ask this guy before I try to get him to get the list back?

I think I'm confused.

we all set out to find a list of clients, not suppliers.

would we not take this list and hunt down the members on this list if we are able to retrieve it?


What are the Phoenix Blades again a band of adventures, sell swords,

Adventurer Guilds are general problem solvers. That can mean chasing down someone, finding hard to locate items, dealing with dangerous monsters, or any other such tasks. Guilds are generally honest, and only accept legal task, but some are less picky.

The Phoenix Blades are known to take honest jobs, but are also trouble makers. On the other hand, the Serpent Spirits (another Adventurer Guild in Metrosan's Breach) are less picky with their choice of task.

As for the task you were given, you were told to find a list of clients for a merchant, but according to the thief, you were lied to. In all likelihood, the people who sent you didn't think you'd examine the list closely, or that you wouldn't care to find out who the people on the list are if you did read it.

Note that the Guild the thief was referring to was the Thieves Guild, not an Adventurer Guild.

Ok great thanks.

Was just wondeeing what kind of group Leila had joined . :)

Quick roll call, to see who is still active.

Present

Me

Sorry. Here. Just been a very stressful couple of weeks.

I think im a bit lost.


Where is each character in game?

Hope every ine had great hollidays

By the looks of things, it seems interest in the game died off. Other than you, only one person read the last post I made, and no one answered to it.

I am visiting family for the holidays... for another week. As such, I admit I am not checking every day.

I have not lost interest as such, however...

Well, if people start posting again, I'll keep things going. It's just a question of knowing what you do.

Seems fair enough...

I'm currently waiting to see whether or not Ingris will decide that it's Murder O'Clock again, or if she decides that Murder O'Clock only comes once a day (or of course if it can maybe come more than once a day, but not right now)

Unfortunately Ingrid is AFK, for now at least. I'll give her until new year, then push the story a bit forward.

Leilatha Xilfina checked in yesterday...

But honestly if this has suddenly become a solo game, I'm gonna try lying to these guys and try to fool them instead of just murdering them.

If lying and tricking them doesn't work, there should be plenty of time to murder them afterward, if needed.

Anybody wanna stop me?

Honestly, I don't think anyone would object to anything you do at this point.

Heh good point.

Wait, is this where we started? The place with the inn?

If not... why not?

The thief asked to head south, away from the White Sword province, since he's a wanted man there. You want to go back north to return to the guild, but you have the choice of walking back through the forest (and try to dodge the bandits), or take a detour by the coast, and grab a ship.

Istvan already took that trip once, that's how he got in the White Sword province the first time around.

Right now Istvan thinks avoiding the bandits is best. So, on we go...

So... I take it that since we passed the night unmolested, Istvan will have communed with Noric and got his spell stuff back etc.?

Yes, you had plenty of time to Commune. Also note that you don't need a full night of rest to regain your spells. As long as you can rest for an hour, you can memorize again.

Good.


So, uh...

--How much money does the party (and the thief) have on us?

also

--I don't suppose anyone grabbed any stuff off the dead bandits we could sell?

also

--Is the rest of the party healed up now (thanks to me last night)?

The two bandits didn't have much, but it's actually enough to get your group a meal and a common room. A good meal costs just a coin, and another two coin will get you a large room you can share. The thief will pay for his own meal and room.

And while we're at it, the ship trip can vary, but for something that short, you can get away with just a coin per person. Considering the cash you made beating up the slavers, everyone has enough to pay for that.

And no one was seriously injured in the fight. Other than the bandits, but they don't count.

Okay then, enough to eat and rest tonight, and take a ship... good to know...

Will post tomorrow...

So is Istvan rested and communed everything again right now...?

I'm pretty sure the answer will be yes, but just making sure...

Yep. You had multiple days to rest during the trip.

Hola all, I'll be playing the part of your "look before she leaps" Thief

What could go wrong?

Hello! I am new too. I will be playing an elf bard who will grow to have considerable skill in different magics.

Welcome aboard, and I hope you enjoy exploring the world I've made!

Great! Glad to meet you! Istvan Vanoson, the fast-talking cleric of Noric here!

I believe my character sheet is ready, aside from Bonds. Is there anything I should know before filling out bonds? It seems like each game has their own quirks when it comes to bonds, especially in a play-by-post format.

I also need to fill out a bit of a physical description and backstory for Spriggy on his Description page. I'll probably get around to that tonight.

Good point, Kharla has no bonds as of yet.

But perhaps some are about to be forged?

Question - Am I supposed to pick a move under my chosen alignment?  Or do I earn extra XP if I do something to accomplish any of them?

You pick one alignment.

If you do the thing for that one alignment, you get extra XP.


As for bonds, I never really bother with them, because it's so frustrating when teammates disappear on RPol, since it happens to me so often. Nothing against you, but... I am the only member of my initial team remaining...

Since you're pretty much meeting for the first time, you don't have bonds yet. But I will let you add new bonds at the end of each adventure. In theory, you take a week or two to rest between adventures, so you can get to know each other during that time, and if you want to come up with a bond you've formed during that time, feel free to add it to your character.

Obviously, Istvan is gonna wanna pinpoint where that chanting is coming from... But I suspect it's too late for that. Is it too late...?

It's hard enough that you'll have to worry about what's below you first.

Well, so much for turning.

Permission to try Defy Danger so Istvan can get to a spot where zombies that want to grab him aren't literally in the ground under him? Preferably a place that's on the way to where the chanting is coming from?

Sure. I'd let you use Turn Undead for the same result too.

...Now I'm confused. You mean, try Turning Undead AGAIN, and... what? Hope I get a 10 or higher...?

Think of it as a way of Defying Danger, but by using your character's special ability instead of just rolling a generic stats check.

Oh, okay... what the heck, I'll try it...

1 point ignoring armor, I presume...?

Nope. Their claws aren't that sharp. You guys just got lucky.

Haha. That made the decision really easy.

Everyone's trying to be really quiet, but... is the chanting still going on?

If so... I can't imagine that the chanter is gonna hear me if I crunch a leaf or even snap a stick or two getting down there...

Is a move silently roll really even necessary at this point...?

(Now, if the chanting has stopped, I could see that as being different, but if it has, I think it's going to be really hard to find the source of it...)

The chanter isn't necessarily the only person who might hear/see us approaching, so I felt it was a good idea to be cautious.

Mmmmm. I think the chanting will drown out the noise of our approach... But SEEING us, yeah, you're right, dumb of me to think that the chanter is guaranteed to be just one lone person with no lookouts, that's totally possible.

Hmmm...

I dunno... GM, what do you say? Should I roll for stealth?

If you don't, I'll assume you're at least as loud as a person walking and talking. Also note that the chant, despite the fact you heard it from a long distance, is barely as loud as a person talking. Even though you're sure you're going in the right direction, the volume barely changed.

As for being seen, there's plenty of shadows around with only the moon to provide light (I'm assuming you shut your lanterns, since their lights would give you away immediately).

That... almost convinces me the other way... but I guess it convinces me to be stealthy a little more than it convinces me there's no need...

1. Yep, in the mine, just as I thought (and feared).

2. I presume the paw-print is the beaver...

3. So, guys... do we go in? Or do we go back to make sure that the dead didn't rise and attack the town?

3. The village can handle itself. They have already taken precautions. And if we hurry we might still be able to stop the spell before the dead fully rise.

I say we head into the mine. That's what real adventurers do. ;-)

Yeah, logical. Agree.

Do you want to Spout Lore to find out?

I don't... perhaps our bard might...?

Maybe that (returning) would be best...? What do you say, Spriggy?

Apologies but I've been without power and water for nearly 2 days.  Winter storm leveled Texas.  My pool equipment froze solid once power stopped and it could no longer circulate the water; that can't be good.  Just hoping no busted pipes in the walls.

Ouch. No wonder you didn't have time to post. Good luck getting everything working again!

Wow, you too?

I'm okay so far-- my family theorize it's because I'm right near a fire station and EMT station.

My cold kitchen sink tap did freeze briefly though-- even though the other tap was dripping... (we drip both now)

Yes we have a friend that lives near a hospital on Austin; never lost power or water.  Utilities can't cut services to emergency points like that.

Our hot water heater is in the attic; I don't see any ruptures yet but friends near us had theirs crack and leak down into their house

Very not fun

I don't mind either way. Whatever our trap expert decides is good with me.

Kharla and Istvan, I hope the weather and general weather-related issues improve for both of you soon! Sounds terrible.

Um, Istvan's Turn Undead just keeps undead from "coming within reach" of Istvan (for as long as he keeps praying and brandishing his holy symbol).

They might still come in reach of YOU, Spriggy...

Unless it is intelligent, it should flee. And regardless, it probably won't come within reach of Spriggy either if Spriggy stays close to Istvan.

The last time this came up-- in another game-- it WAS intelligent undead, so I just remembered the "not fleeing" part. Now that you've reminded me of that other part, I agree, this situation doesn't seem like my other situation.

Remember, kids, attacking them will break the Must Flee imperative...

...Can we maybe just get out of the way, so as to let them run out the way we came in...?

Or maybe we can cage them in somehow? Herd them into a pit maybe? Or perhaps Spriggy has a net in his adventuring gear or something. That way they won't make a surprise return in the future.

Oh good idea-- I love DW adventuring gear. If you've got some, try it. (Istvan has adventuring gear, but he's gonna keep turning for now for obvious reasons.)

You could probably manage that, with a Defy Danger check. Letting the undead leave the room wouldn't require a roll at all.

Ah so Istvan can affect all undead at once.  Nice!  I thought it would just be one at a time

If we rush past them that will open the tunnel behind us for their use, right?
This message was last edited by the player at 21:17, Mon 22 Feb 2021.

It's more a question of going to the side. You don't see any other exit to the room, and the skeletons are pretty much against the far wall.

I think I'll try the net and see if it ends up getting Spriggy killed. :-P

Even if we somehow got them to go down the tunnel we came in, then we might have to face them on the way back out. And we already have an undead bear and beaver back there somewhere.

In reply to Spriggy Glompgut (msg # 160):

Is there a limit how long they stay repelled?  Maybe Spriggy and I can search the area while Istvan holds them at bay?

That would have been smart. I threw the net already, but we should definitely still search the area. That shrine thingamajig is surely important.

Well if they're vulnerable once they're tangled in the net Kharla can Backstab again.

And actually that's a good point about possibly having to face them again on the way out.  Good idea to destroy them if we can.  Istvan's laying the smackdown so far but one really bad roll and things could be different
This message was last edited by the player at 03:19, Tue 23 Feb 2021.

GM, can Spriggy use his Arcane Arts on himself? When he uses it, he "choose an ally and an effect." Do I count as an ally to myself? I figure different GMs have different rulings on the wording, so I wanted to ask before I assumed one way or the other.

Ally includes yourself. Otherwise, a cleric would be unable to heal himself.

Istvan hasn't stopped turning yet...

Do I gather that this re-assembled wolf is not//is no longer affected...?

Well, you did stop turning when all three of them were destroyed. It's just that they're getting up again.

Okay, I have to admit, he would've stopped then, you've got a point.

It's funny when you re-read old adventures you've written, and find out a plot twist that you completely forgot...

Okay first question:

Is Istvan still turning THIS time...?

Yes, but it doesn't seem to do much to this creature.

Ah ha. Hm.

...Nothing, or not much? Or "nothing as far as Istvan can tell so far?"

It's not making flee, or hindering it's casting, or stopping it's appearance. Other than that, you could try a Discern Realities to learn more.

Yeah, I think it might be time to give up on the Turning for the moment...

Uh, is it too late for one of us to Aid?

If it's not too late... do you have any feelings about how to do it without Bonds?


(A rule I have in my bondless games is:

AID

--When you try to help another character, say how you try to help, and roll a single d6; they can use this roll in lieu of one of their own roll's dice. (If more than one player helps them, they can only keep the best 1 die from amongst all dice rolled). You are exposed to any risks, consequences or costs of their move, even if they didn’t use your die.

--If you roll a 1, the GM will probably put you at risk, make trouble for you, or make things worse in general, even if the GM can't think of any way for you to share the same problems as the character you tried to help. )

It's a bit too late. As for how we'll work with bounds, we'll use the standard rules, but with a basic +1 to your Aid check. Even without normal bonds, you're still in the same party, so we'll count it as a bond.

Lol, I'm an idiot.  Spriggy warned weapons wouldn't work and I missed it (or it didn't sink in) before I posted trying to throw a dagger at it

Unless either of you can think of how Kharla might be able assist in dealing with this creature I'm thinking of having her try to hold off any undead that it's summoning

Thoughts?

I guess as a thief, you could try this, specifically?

Trap Expert
When you spend a moment to survey a dangerous area, roll+DEX.

✴ On a 10+, hold 3.

✴ On a 7–9, hold 1. Spend your hold as you walk through the area to ask these questions:

--Is there a trap here and if so, what activates it?
--What does the trap do when activated?
--What else is hidden here?

I thought your idea of somehow using the skull the Word Demon was trapped in against it was a fantastic idea, Kharla. I'm actually disappointed that I didn't think of it first. Holding off the undead would also be useful though. Maybe collapse an entrance or something? If we get in a really tight spot, we could always try escaping out the hole in the ceiling too.

Hopefully mine and Istvan's barbershop quartet (-2) has some sort of effect in the meantime.

Anyone object to selling the altar for 500 coins?

That, plus our original 500 coin reward means we should each have 333 coins each to spend! GM, we don't owe a portion to the guild, do we? If so, that would lessen our earnings a bit. Does this town have standard shop items available for purchase?

Nope. The guild's fee is collected when the request is posted on the job board. Any reward listed on the poster is what you'll get.

500 for the altar sounds great

Agree

Awesome. 333 coins for everyone! Do we want to spend any money on Carousing? Or maybe try to Recruit a hireling? Also, GM, would some type of friendly pack animal be available for purchase that could help Spriggy carry some equipment? A donkey or something?

I think we might need to consider a meat-shield for future adventures.

I also like the idea of carousing but am uncertain if the little town of Chestnut Hollow is the spot or if we should do so when we return to the guild.

Carousing can be done in either place, but shopping would be better done at the capital. Chestnut Hollow only has a small general store. You could buy a cart and pony, though.

As for henchman, your guild is the best place for that. Being a member of the guild will give you a +1 to your check there.

I'll wait to do any official Carousing until we get back to home base. How much does the cart and pony cost though? And how would it work mechanics-wise? (How much can it carry and do I need to worry about any sort of "upkeep" costs?)

Edit: Also, is it safe to assume we can level up during the trip home?
This message was last edited by the player at 04:20, Fri 05 Mar 2021.

The book lists a Cart and Donkey on p330 as having a load of 20.

Also I agree about waiting for anything like carousing and hiring until we get back.  I'm ready whenever everyone else is.

Book says we can level after a few hours of downtime.  Technically sleeping overnight would qualify, wouldn't it?  If so can we level up now?
This message was last edited by the player at 13:56, Fri 05 Mar 2021.

You can level up anytime you make camp. Since there's no notable encounter to hinder your return, and I'm assuming a week of downtime between adventures, you have plenty of time to level up and party.

The cart and pony costs 50 coins, carries 20 load as Kharla said, and is almost guarantied to be called Lydia (because it's 'sworn to carry your burden'). As for supplies, unless you're going into a frozen wasteland or desert, your pony will be able to graze enough to stay alive. If grazing isn't possible, then you'll have to spend either an extra ration during camp, or a charge of your adventuring gear.

I will buy the pony and name it Lydia! Below is a picture of the little cutie. I will also buy some more gear to load up my cart. Whether it be in the mining town or back home. I'll get some:

Adventuring Gear; 5 uses, 20 coins, 1 weight -- x1
Bandages; 3 uses, slow, 5 coins, 0 weight -- x2
Poultices and Herbs; 2 uses, slow, 10 coins, 1 weight -- x1
Healing Potion; 50 coins, 0 weight -- x1
Antitoxin; 10 coins, 0 weight -- x3
Dungeon Rations; Ration, 5 uses, 3 coins, 1 weight -- x4
Bag of Books; 5 uses, 10 coins, 2 weight -- x1
Throwing Dagger; thrown, near, 1 coin, 0 weight -- x10
Shield; +1 armor, 15 coins, 2 weight -- x1
Pony and Cart; 50 coins, load 20

Total Cost = 217
Total added Weight = 10
I will have 104 coins remaining after purchases.

For leveling up, I'll boost Spriggy's intelligence and choose the new move Multiclass Dabbler to learn to cast wizard spells. (I'll increase the weight of my songbook to 1 so that it can double as my spellbook.) I will choose Charm Person, Invisibility, and Magic Missile as Spriggy's starting spells.

Kharla Level Up
  XP 8 -> 0
  Level: 2
  Increase Stat: Con 9 (HP increase to 15)
  New Move: Cautious - When you use trap expert you always get +1 hold, even on a 6-
  Purchases:
    - sell Shortsword (I did NOT pay attention to precise weapons given my 9 STR and 16 DEX)
    - buy Dueling Rapier  close, 1 piercing, precise, 50 coins, 2 weight
    - buy Horse           75 coins, load 10
    - buy Antitoxin       10 coins, 0 weight
    - buy Healing Potion  50 coins, 0 weight

Once we know where we're going next and how far will decide if need more rations for myself and horse.

I'm interested in recruiting either a protector or warrior.  Any idea how much that would cost?  Will help determine if Kharla carouses or not.

If you pick someone from the guild, paying them a share of the reward is a pretty normal rate. Finding people out of the guild is also doable, but what they'll want will vary, depending on where you choose to ask.

I'll share rations if you run out. I bought an excessive amount since they are cheap and I currently had the space.

I don't think I am all that interested at Carousing anymore. But for recruiting a hireling, I would personally be interested in attracting an adept, a protector, or a warrior (in that order). A tracker could potentially be useful, depending on the details of our next mission, but probably not as useful as the others. I do not think we have much use for a burglar, minstrel, or priest right now. Once we decide on a mission, I think we will qualify for at least two of the following bonuses to our roll. The bolded ones.

+1 if you make it known that your pay is generous
+1 if you make it known what you’re setting out to do
+1 if you make it known that they’ll get a share of whatever you find
+1 if you have a useful reputation around these parts

I think I'm going to have to give Carousing a try.  Perhaps it will help to generate that +1....

besides, throwing a heck of a party just seems like Kharla's style :)

Kharla: Istvan will donate some of his money to that Carouse if you want...

Do you? And if so, how much do you want?

Cool.  I didn't know if carousing was per person or as a group.

I'm good spending 100 coins.  If you want to add 100 I think we get a +1.  Otherwise if you think 100 is enough then just 50 for each of us.

I'll throw the descriptive post up but we can wait for the roll until we decide.

I will be a cheapskate and be the one to donate a keg to your victory soiree for an additional +1 to your roll.

OH. I didn't think about that. I just resumed it was Per Party. I guess we need to see what the GM says...




I'd be happy to pitch in more than 100? Istvan is not the kind of cleric who can get cool boons from donating to the church.

But we'll see what the GM says about Carouse...

I'll leave it as a group Move, just not one you could mark XP for on a failure.

Who wants to make the roll? (And take the blame for failure?)
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:46, Sat 06 Mar 2021.

I nominate Kharla to make the roll, since she is organizing the party

So wait, how many coins did Istvan get from the silver slag??

Between the reward for the job + selling the slag we each earned 333

And the part was grand indeed!
This message was last edited by the player at 19:30, Sat 06 Mar 2021.

OHHHH right, 500 ON TOP of the original reward.

So like... I'm willing to donate 500 coins.

When you return triumphant and throw a big party, spend 100 coins and roll +1 for every extra 100 coins spent.

Nothing says there's a limit on spending...

How much do you/we actually want to spend?

I've already rolled just with the +1 from Spriggy's Dwarven Stout.  Rolled 11!  I picked one reward, now you and Spriggy choose too

Yes, Kharla and Istvan spend 50 coins each.  Spriggy spent 10 for the Stout

I recommend we ride this good will we've generated into hiring one or two hirelings.  There's wisdom in Squiggy's suggestion of an adept and I would suggest a protector as well.

What say you?

Sounds good to me!

Okay then.

GM, Istvan will be selling his shield (because of getting Divine Protection) and just getting some expensive silver jewelry like we talked about... I'll end up with, say, 90 coins left when it's all said and done...

Preferably very easy-to-carry stuff, like arm bracelets, belt buckle, rings, torc...

OOP just saw the thing about hirelings... I'll donate to that cause, too, so...

I say we take Drake up on his offer to join us.

Then maybe that adept?

I agree. And Since Istvan already seemed willing to do the frozen barbarian quest in an earlier post, I'll go ahead and assume that it is okay to let potential hireling know which quest we have decided on. I'll make a Recruit roll to see which hirelings we might attract. I think we can get a +3 on the roll based on the following:

+1 if you make it known that your pay is generous (I imagine our pay is fair, but I'm not sure if "generous" is accurate)
+1 if you make it known what you’re setting out to do
+1 if you make it known that they’ll get a share of whatever you find
+1 if you have a useful reputation around these parts

Hmmm, is Drake a Hireling Tracker or a full Ranger?

And yes, I'm good with offering a share of whatever we find

Drake is a Tracker 4, Warrior 2, and Protector 1.

For your other recruit, I'll use a variation of Spriggy's idea. Each of you can come up with a hireling character, and describe to everyone what they look like, how they present themselves, and what their main and possible secondary skills are.

I'll offer one as well, of course. Namely:

Charlotte Noble, a contemplative scholar with almond-shaped black eyes, and straight green hair. She tends to be discreet, but you did notice she paid close attention to you story about the Word Demon. "Although I'm trained in arcane magic, I've been studying ghosts and spirits, and how their existence relate to the magic of the world." She's a pure adept.

Ooh, I like Charlotte. I was just thinking that we needed to learn more about that thing we found...

Can I just sponsor Charlotte? Or...?

Since I am looking for an adept, I will offer up a non-adept option for my contribution. I would feel weird creating an NPC tailored specifically for my own wants. (Besides, Charlotte Noble is already a great choice if she ends up being the only adept to choose from.) Here is my contribution:

Yolba Ironeye is an older dwarven woman. She has long, wild, grey hair and deep brown eyes, and looks to be adorned in armor of her own design. It is embossed and etched with intricate patterns. She wields an ornate lance and rides an enormous boar similarly outfitted in armors. "While I may not have a lot of experience in real battles, my years at the forge have given me insights in the use of armor and arms that others cannot duplicate. I was hoping for a bit of excitement before I retire for good." She is a Protector, with a bit of warrior probably thrown in too.

Ack, this slipped my mind.

I'll offer this fellow:

Aedian Phot fancies himself a renaissance man, fit in both mind and body, manners and melee.  His garb is fine, perhaps he comes from money, but he is clearly still young. "I've read of the harsh North and the peoples there.  Some claim their shamans possess a wild magic and the spirits of their ancestors can possess their warriors into a frothing battle frenzy.  Should you wish for a strong blade and keen mind at your side I would offer you my oath in for this quest."

Warrior 2, Protector 2, Adept 2, Minstrel 1


All this said, I'm good with Drake and Charlotte.  Drake seems to have a bit of the warrior/protector and Charlotte should be able to support both Squiggy and Istvan in their casting.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:53, Wed 10 Mar 2021.

I think we should definitely bring Drake and Charlotte. Do we want to bring either of the other two as well? I don't mind if we do or if we don't, so I will let Istvan and Kharla decide if they want to invite anyone else along too.

I'm thinking 2 is plenty for now

Agree, I think

Works for me! Drake and Charlotte, welcome to the team!

Alright, Drake and Charlotte it is!

What are Charlotte's stats?

Charlotte is just an Adept 2.

Istvan has a sling and 2 pouches of lead balls, so he can do a ranged fight if need be (especially if we find some good cover or partial cover?)

I am worried about winter wolves coming and attacking us on top of a ranged fight, though...

The stone house with the dog run appeared accessible...at least not blockaded anyway.  I'm good making a run for it though we may have to take Spriggy's reigns since he's been confused.

What's the vote?
1) Run for house now?
2) Try to kill a few goblins 1st, then retreat to house?

I vote 1.  We don't know what's going on here yet or how many goblins there might be.

Yeah I lean toward 1, just because the goblins have the better position(s)...

Number 1 sounds good for now.

Hi all!

I've been on RPOL for a *long* time and have been playing Dungeon World for a few years.  Spriggy (who I know from another DW game) suggested I might enjoy this one - and after reading through all the posts, I'm very much looking forward to it.

I'm a paladin of Gianam.  Look forward to meeting you IC.  (Assuming we all survive :>)

Hola Gorrid!  Glad you chose to join us
This message was last edited by the player at 18:41, Thu 18 Mar 2021.

Sigh.  I *knew* that nickname would come up, but I didn't think it'd be the first post! :)

The good knight's heard it all before...

Welcome! Glad you found your way here!

Oh my God I am so sorry!  It had to be autocorrect on my phone.  I don't know you nearly well enough yet to do that on purpose.

This is going to factor in to your decision on who to assist in a crisis situation, isn't it
This message was last edited by the player at 18:40, Thu 18 Mar 2021.

My first laugh-out-loud of the day!  Thanks for that :)

It was awesome when I thought it was intentional, but it's even more awesome that it wasn't.

No worries.  I'm sure we'll get to the point where you feel comfortable insulting me intentionally soon.

Heck yeah.  When the insults fly you know the group has really jelled  ;)

I was just now realizing that I had the spell Charm Person prepared along with Magic Missile. I probably should have charmed the ice guy instead. Oh well. Live and learn. Maybe I can still charm a goblin. (Maybe more than one if Charlotte can help augment the spell to do so.)

It might still be possible to keep the human from bleeding out, though someone would need to get on that pronto.  If not, definitely agree that we should try to not kill at least one of the goblins so we've got someone to lead us to the second site and give us some sort of clue as to what to expect.

As an aside - I'm playing a human, not a dwarf.  There weren't a whole lot of "helmeted old male fighter" avatar pictures to choose from - and I figured humans can have beards too :)

I could have sworn I read dwarf somewhere, but I must have just been making assumptions. However, Spriggy himself is an elf, so maybe he isn't always the best at telling dwarves and humans apart. Especially when they have beards.

As for saving the barbarian, I wouldn't worry about it. I think it would make more sense narratively to charm a goblin instead, considering the group is currently in imminent danger. However, I definitely won't complain either if someone does want to try saving him.

Humans are taller ;)

Sir Gorrid's plan is to deal with the warg.  There's no love lost between him and the barbarian.

Psst, GM-- don't forget to give some idea what frost folk are

I'm just waiting to see who tries to Spout Lore about them, just to see how much your band knows. Sir Gorrid pretty much told you what he knows: they're cold, they're leading the goblins, and they have a freezing gaze.

I will try to spout lore. I'll have a post up shortly.

Hm, could be some sort of ice elementals/genasi... We'll find out sooner or later...

Pygmy frost giants? :)

I like pygmy-versions of giant monsters, but somehow that seems unlikely in this case.

It IS the sort of thing I'd do if I were a GM...

...which I think is why I can't believe anyone else would...

Don't challenge me. I once started a game just on the idea of replacing Alduin the World Eater with Terraria's Eater of World.

As Gorrid had already reacted to the javelin I didn't add any shout or warning in Kharla's post that followed.  Maybe I should have.  Ooops

Eh. I think Kharla's reaction was reasonable given her situation. There isn't always a lot of time to yell warnings when you are trying to intercept a javelin with a throwing knife. It may not have been a perfectly "optimized" move, but we are playing characters, not writing a computer program. ;-)

Gorrid will feel much less embarrassed about tripping over the net when you fall off the roof ;)

(Though he'll also feel horrible for sending you upstairs and figure your fall is all his fault...)

I think Spriggy and Charlotte moved outside, Gorrid. The rushed out to charm the goblin (it's a touch spell).

Ah, missed that.  Ok.  The good thing is, the more of us in the street, the less reason to torch the building holding all the villager's stuff...

Technically, I don't need the Aid for "I am the Law" - I needed it for killing the creature if it chose to fight or continue to bolt.  However, hopefully your suggestion will nudge the creature towards being more likely to comply.

Ok, that made me laugh.

I'm not a dirty old man.  Honest!  My hands stayed strictly on the lower ribs... :)

So, assuming it'll take them about 15 days, if we moved 'fast', we could theoretically catch the raiders before they reach the 'castle'.  I was thinking of undertaking a Quest to rescue the villagers.  As boons, I could take invulnerability to cold and freedom from hunger, thirst and sleep.  That would mean I could take watch throughout the entire trip and we could presumably get by with less sleep - allowing us to move faster.  With proper foot gear, we could hopefully catch them with only 5-6 days travel.  (We'd be rushing, they'd have no particular reason to.)  Would it make sense to try attaching the pony to the sleigh?  Might work better than the wagon on snowy terrain.  Could ask for a couple of volunteers to drive it - we can send it back if the terrain gets too tough.

Benefit of getting the raiders before they reach the castle is that rescuing will be much easier.  Also, much easier to attack when there are no built-in defenses.  Also, if we can take them out before the party reaches the castle, the next logical thing for the barbarians to do is to send out a party to see what happened to the first group - and we could maybe take those folks in an ambush.  We can also extract more intel before we hit the castle and possibly pretend to be returning raiders as a way to get admittance.  Thoughts?

(I'm assuming we want to go beyond just rescuing the villagers and want to take on the barbarian enough to convince them that "hitting our villages is not in your best interest for the continued health of your people" at minimum, though taking care of the source of the 'black ice' might also be something we decide is necessary...)

I forgot to mention it, but there's 4 inches of snow on the ground. Enough to slow down someone walking to 15 miles a day. Skis increase that to 35 miles (as long as there's snow), while Lydia can manage 25 miles with a sled. All of those speeds will go down if the snow starts to pile up, of course.

The snowshoes only let you walk 10 miles a day, but aren't slowed down by snow.

That sounds like a good plan. I have no problem hitching my pony to the sled. Maybe our goblin "friend" can help us find the good spots to make camp and avoid natural hazards. There is no duration listed for the charm spell, so it should last as long he doesn't take damage or until we prove we aren't friends. (Of course these spells tend to get broken at the worst possible moment, but that is part of the fun!)

I say our main goal is to rescue the villagers. After that, we reassess what actions are practical to take. If we are still in a good tactical position, I am all for dismantling the fortress brick by brick.

As for hitting the castle, this comment does worry me:



But yes, catching the raiders before they reach the black ice seems our best bet.  We'll have to figure out a way to try to save the hostages without them being slaughtered when we attack.

Ideal would be to hit the camp at night.  If we can take out whoever's keeping watch quietly, we'd have a decent chance of taking out quite a few of them before anyone woke up.

Agree that the bosses are potentially scary.  Heck, the notion of a 'castle' is scary - but what constitutes a 'castle' to a goblin could be a variety of things.  Agree with priority being the villagers and reassessing when we know more.


Clarification about the skis vs. snowshoes - snowshoes are fine regardless of depth, but skis don't work if the snow gets too deep?

It might be good to know before we leave how the group typically travels?  How well do the goblins navigate the snow?  How do they defend the camp at night?  What is the relationship between the goblins and the barbarians?

Knowing a bit more about the situation may give us some ideas of how we want to approach them - and thoughts about what we might want to bring along.

The skis are faster than snowshoes as long as there's less than two feet of snow. Ski speed drops by half for each foot of snow that piles up. So 35 for up to a foot, then 18, 9, and 4. Your pony will also slow you down.

The weight skis and snowshoes both have a weight of 1, but only when you're carrying them instead of wearing them.

You have a pretty good idea of how the raiders travel by looking at their trail. Most of them are walking, accompanied by the slaves and goblins, while the worgs struggles with the loot-filled sled.

The goblins are just a step above normal slave, much like they're treated by most evil armies.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:28, Fri 26 Mar 2021.

Ok.  Sounds like we should bring a set of each per person.  We ski for as long as that's faster, switch to snowshoes once we get to 2 feet or deeper.  If we have a couple of villagers follow with the sleigh, we can move at top speed and deal with the raiding party and the sleigh should be able to catch up a day or two later.  That'll allow us to bulk up on expended supplies and also the help transport any injured villagers back.

I'd like to pick up one extra bundle of adventuring supplies.  With that and the allocated rations, I've still got capacity for 1 more weight.  I don't need rations, but we'll need to feed the goblin, the pony and our hirelings.  We should presumably travel with enough food for 10 days each for everyone except me and can put the rest on the sleigh.

Do we want to risk bringing the horse too?  I expect it's going to be trouble once the snow gets deep.

Sorry for missing that the barricades were ice rather than wood.

Clarification on valor: Are goblins considered innately evil in this world or are they able to be redeemed?

Evil is more a question of action than of race. Goblins are usually looked down upon, but they're not inherently Evil. That's reserved for mindless undead, demons, and other things.

Alright, I think this is how I will allocate my gear. If one or two of the villagers want to follow us with my little pony, that would be awesome. I have a bit more space on my pony cart/sled if anyone wants to stow more gear.

Gear - (Load = 8/8)
Dungeon Rations (5/5 uses remaining, 1 weight)
Songbook in a forgotten tongue/Spellbook (1 weight)
Leather armor (1 armor, 1 weight)
Shield (+1 armor, 2 weight)
Dueling rapier (close, precise, 2 weight)
Throwing Dagger x10 (thrown, near, 0 weight)
Adventuring gear (5/5 uses remaining, 1 weight)
Bandages (3/3 uses remaining, slow, 0 weight)
Bandages (3/3 uses remaining, slow, 0 weight)
Antitoxin x3 (0 weight)
Healing Potion (0 weight)
94 Coins (? weight)

Unseen Servant - (Load = 3/3)
Skis/Snowshoes (1 weight) - whichever I'm not wearing at the time
Dungeon Rations (5/5 uses remaining, 1 weight)
Dungeon Rations (5/5 uses remaining, 1 weight)

Pony (Lydia) and Cart (Load = 9/20)
Adventuring gear (5/5 uses remaining, 1 weight)
Poultices and Herbs (2/2 uses remaining, slow, 1 weight)
Dungeon Rations (5/5 uses remaining, 1 weight)
Dungeon Rations (5/5 uses remaining, 1 weight)
Dungeon Rations (5/5 uses remaining, 1 weight)
Dungeon Rations (5/5 uses remaining, 1 weight)
Dungeon Rations (5/5 uses remaining, 1 weight)
Bag of Books (4/5 uses remaining, 2 weight)

I believe 100 coins have 1 weight.  94 coins is probably close enough to 100 for that purpose.  It may be worth finding a memorable place to burry anything in excess of 20-30 coins to avoid the weight (and to ensure you've got space for accumulating more loot :>).

My inventory: (load: 13/14)

Uses Wt Item (tags)
  x   3 Scale armor (2 Armor, worn)
  x   1 Long sword (close, +1 damage)
  x   2 Shield (+1 armor)
 20   4 Dungeon rations
 10   2 Adventuring gear
  x   0 skis (worn)
  x   1 snowshoes (carried)
  x   0 Mark of faith - steel broach emblazoned with white shield

Questions for GM:
- I've assumed I can acquire 1 more set of adventuring gear (5 uses).  If that's not accurate, I'll adjust.
- Can we presume that hirelings also get 3 sets of rations and skis and snowshoes and can manage their own stuff?
- Will the pony be able to forage, or do we need to bring food for it?
- Can we get an extra set of skis and snowshoes in case anything happens to a set as we're traveling?

Ah. So it is. I knew it was listed somewhere, but didn't have enough reason before to actually look it up (since I had cart space available). I'll stow 70 of it in a hiding spot in the boathouse for the time being.

No problem for the extra adventuring kit. The henchman can manage their own gears and supplies. As for the pony, if a caribou can find food in these area, she can find food to survive. And I'll let you carry an extra pair of skis and snowshoes.

Kharla - we can move faster on skis and snowshoes than the horse can travel.  Do you intend for the horse to travel with us (meaning we need to move more slowly and are more likely to be in Black Ice terrain when we catch up to the raiders) or do you intend for it to accompany the wagon (meaning it'll catch up to us after we've taken care of the raiders)?

Gorrin would prefer to move faster and reach the prisoners sooner, but he's new to the group so won't argue either way.

If we decide to move quickly, you'll need to carry/wear the skis and snowshoes.  If you're short on carrying capacity, Gorrin can carry one more item.  He also has rations to spare.

Oh, so we go ahead and the 2 villagers bring the horse and cart behind us?  I missed that.  I thought we were all traveling together

Kharla's currently at a load of 9 out of a max load of 14.  Assuming snowshoes and skis are each 1 wt (and she'd be wearing one of them) and each Dungeon Ration is 1 wt she'd be close to her max but okay.

Cool, I can do that.

I do believe that is the current plan.

Given that I expect we're about to undertake a perilous journey, would it make sense for Istvan to role for scout?  That's probably most important - and as our cleric, he's presumably the wisest. :)

Our hireling Drake also has Tracker 4, which should help. My own Wisdom is usually at a +1, but is currently at a +0 until we rest. Those goblin screams really rattled his brain.

Understood.  I was presuming he'd do his thing again as trailblazer.

I think Kharla was scout last time.  Want her to try that again?

That's fine by me.

Istvan's been checking in pretty much every day, but he may be too busy to post.  Maybe give him the rest of today and then get things underway?

Sounds good, no hurry

I've posted the journey up to your first obstacle, it will give him a chance to act since most of what's been done since the fight was prep and planning.

It's true I've been busy, but Istvan hasn't heard anything he objected to-- nor that needed his input-- so he's just been sort of continuing to follow along with the group...

...Is there something in particular that I should be commenting on that I've missed...?

I had proposed you might want to tackle the 'scout' roll, but Kharla did it.  If you're good, we can proceed with me falling into the river :)

Yep, I just didn't get there in time. But yeah, proceed!

In case you're wondering about the rusalka's last words, it's just that she heard the magical echoes of Spriggy's spells. After all, drawing attention doesn't mean that attention will show up right away...

Clever way to use your GM move. I like it!

I plan on holding off on making a move until Spriggy has reason to suspect a move is needed. I do like though that Gorrid and Kharla saw five worgs and thought, "eh, we can take them." It made me smile.

Kharla <--- Chaotic: Leap into danger without a plan

I figure I need to keep this in mind for her.  If I can do it right it'll earn her XP but also probably just represents her style with most situations to one degree or another.

I'll try to tip all players off ahead of time so anyone can object if they have serious concerns.  Different situations may have different potential consequences.  Having another character put a hand on her shoulder and stop her should be appropriate :D

Gorrid just really hates worgs :)

Plus he's not quite used to not having a small battalion at his back following when he charges - the thought it could be more than he could handle hasn't quite dawned on him.  It might soon though...

Nooo, don't go, Istvan hoped you would become his mighty steed.

Oh well, maybe mama will show up someday and save us when the chips are down.

That's one really well-inspected block of ice :)

I'm thinking of going exploring into the super-cold area.  If there's an artifact or something causing the effect, I could possibly move it, which might open up some interesting tactical possibilities.  If I can't move it, I might be able to interfere with it.  If it's helping produce this black ice, interfering with it could be advantageous.

Any contrary thoughts before I bring it up in-character?

I hadn't considered this but it makes sense.  Unless your protection only covers natural cold and not anything beyond/magical in nature

That sounds like a cool idea Gorrid. We won't be able to really help you get out if you get into trouble, but we could probably still shoot arrows/spells from afar though if a creature attacks you.

If you get rid of the cold in that area, then we will have a place to retreat to that our enemies likely won't follow.

Edit: I could also make you invisible before you go in for added safety.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:21, Tue 06 Apr 2021.

The GM indicated that everyone seemed to be increasingly cold, except me.  Obviously if I start wandering in and start feeling overly chilly, I'll take that as a sign that continuing isn't a great plan.

Spriggy: Invisibility sounds like a really good idea.  If the source of the cold is sentient, it'll give me more options and keep me a bit safer.

If Istvan wants to buff me with a magic weapon spell, I wouldn't object to that either.  (Bless could also be nice, but that lasts until "end of combat" and I've never been super-clear whether it could be cast before combat had started or was imminent.)

Whether using buffing spells makes sense or not might be somewhat dependent on how far we are from the castle - and thus whether we have the option of deferring our fight for another night if casting on me doesn't go so well.

There are a couple of signs the cold source is more likely an artifact than a creature.  First, a creature probably wouldn't be stationary enough the goblin would know exactly what area to go around.  Also, most creatures would probably have collected the frozen 'meat' to use as food.  So if we know we need to attack tonight, I feel reasonably safe going in with no buffs.  (Magic weapon might be the most useful as it might give me the ability to destroy something I couldn't take out with just a regular non-magical sword.)

GM: I'm presuming I should be back to full HP?  While I presume I've been keeping guard at night while everyone else slept, I'm hoping there's been enough downtime to recover my 1 HP (or someone managed to magic it away over that period of time)?

Even though you didn't sleep, you're still considered as resting during the night, just like the others. So yes, you recovered your HP.

How many rations should we have marked off so far? I haven't marked any off yet, but I know Spriggy has used several by now.

You'll be using your fourth ration at the end of the day.

Istvan casts Magic Weapon for Sir Gorrid.

Only rolled an 8, so Istvan'll forget the prayerspell until next rest-up...

IC, Sir Gorrid had discouraged you from casting the spell, so if you want to save that result and use it when we get into the real battle, you can.  If you want to say you insisted on casting it on me before I went in, that's fine too.  It'll presumably carry forward into the next battle so long as you don't need to drop it for some reason.

Hmmmmmmmm... I think I'll go with history showing that Istvan insisted.

Sounds good :)

So, as I understand the plan:
- We (or maybe just Drake?) get close enough from downwind that we can see the layout of the camp before it gets dark - both to confirm Gossel's description and to have a better sense of how best to approach
- We wait until everyone's all bedded down and likely asleep
- Kharla preps some food that Gossel will offer to the couple of goblins awake and on guard.  He'll lure them off to some distance and explain that he has friends who are going to kill the bosses.  If any goblins wake up, Gossel and his new 'friends' will encourage them to come join off to the side and not fight us or run away.
- Spriggy will cast invisibility on Sir Gorrid and one other - presumably Istvan?
- If he's willing, Istvan can perhaps try blessing us both too.  (Would have been nice if the magic weapon had been on both too, but too late for that now.)
- Everyone puts wax in their ears (do we have the original wax or do we need to use a new slot of someone's adventuring gear?)
- Gorrid and Istvan sneak past the sleds and goblins from downwind and try to take out as many as possible before any wake up.
- If/when any wake up, Spriggy and Kharla assist with ranged (or music) or if they're inclined, charge in to help
- My perspective on priority is kill 2 of the 3 barbarians, then kill worgs, then poke out the left eye of the remaining barbarian and subdue him/her.  If the 3rd barbarian wakes up before the rest are down, Sir Gorrid will focus on them seeing as he should be immune to the cone of cold.
- We want to ensure none of the worgs or barbarians make it away towards the castle.  We can probably run-down any goblins who get away.

Anything I've missed?  Other ideas?

I think it may make the most sense if Kharla and Gorrid were the invisible ones. Gorrid because I assume he will be in melee, and Kharla because it will help with her backstab ability. Maybe Gorrid and Kharla try to take out one frost-folk each first, then Gorrid focusses on the last frost-folk while everyone else focuses on the worgs?

Other than that, I think the plan is good enough to try and implement! If we need more wax, I don't mind checking off another adventuring gear.

The first person Kharla stabs (who will hopefully still be asleep) will end her invisibility.    If they're asleep, there's no need to use a move to hack & slash or backstab them - the target just dies.  The main benefit of the invisibility is that if someone is awake that we aren't aware of, they won't see us approaching.  Hopefully once we're in the circle, we can tell if anyone's still awake.

That said, I'm fine with whoever wants to come to come.  My primary considerations were - who will best be able to handle being surrounded by a bunch of enemies in close melee if our targets wake up sooner than we'd like; and who has ranged attacks that can appropriately harry from outside the circle.  I'm only really useful inside the circle because my ability to use ranged is horrible.  I'm also the most survivable (highest armor and hit points, plus invulnerable to cold).  Everyone else I think has ranged, however Kharla's probably best at it.  Spriggy's actually slightly more survivable than Istvan, but I suspect Istvan has better melee.  Biggest question is - who *wants* to come into the middle of the armed camp :)

My reasoning for making Kharla invisible was not for attacking the barbarians, but for getting close enough to attack them without the guards noticing. I was assuming that not all of the goblins/worgs would leave their posts. And maybe all of the frost-folk won't sleep at the same time either. At the very least, some of the enslaved villagers might blow your guys' cover on accident if they see who is coming.

All that said, I will cast invisibility on whoever wants it. (two max, since I can't cast more spells while invisibility is active)

Gorrid, do you want a couple of throwing daggers for emergencies? I have 10 and doubt I would ever need them all. They are 0 weight.

My Dex is -1, so it would have to be a desperate situation indeed.  But if you want to lone me a few, ok.

My understanding was that the barbarians and worgs all sleep on the inside while the goblins take turns keeping watch on the outside.  Definitely agree that invisibility is important for the approach in case anyone's awake.  Once we're "in" we could pass word to any awake villagers to keep quiet and take out anyone else who's awake first.  Biggest worry is the worgs - they could smell us.

In any event, no plan survives first contact :)

Man I was down with a stomach bug yesterday.  No bueno!  Much better now.

Kharla can either infiltrate or harry them from a distance.  Have to admit, my Defend is only +0 and only have armor 1 so not the best in melee.  Much better with a surprise attack and hopefully 1-shot them.

Either way, I'm good with the plan to reduce their forces and just have to deal with the barbarians and the worgs, especially if we can eliminate the barbarians in the initial strike.

Hey, Istvan can PrayerCast Invisibility, too. Sorry I forgot to mention that earlier... Does that change anything...?

Oh, nice. Istvan, if you want to cast that on yourself, I can cast it on the other two. That way you can choose the appropriate time to reveal yourself on your own.

Only thing is, I'm currently under a -1 for prayercasting from Magic Weapon.

Think I should let that drop first? Or try for Invisibility during the -1, too...?

I'd prefer if you *didn't* drop the magic weapon as it makes it more likely I can one-shot-kill during battle, and given the number of opponents we have, that could be useful.  We actually have 6 people to worry about - there's Drake and Charlotte too.  Both are probably more useful out of battle initially as Drake is more useful as a warrior boosting ranged attacks than he'd be as a defender and spell buffing the magic missiles coming from outside would also be handy.  If it's dark and the active guards have been led off, it shouldn't be too hard for anyone who plans to stay outside the circle to approach relatively close without being seen, even if not invisible.  The tricky bit will be getting *inside* the circle.

So, I guess the question is, do we want to go with 2 people inside the circle and the rest outside (in which case 2 invisible is probably fine), 4 people inside the circle and 2 outside (in which case 2 more invisible would be nice), or all 6 inside the circle, in which case the extra invisibility doesn't really buy us much.

Other consideration is whether invisibility or bless would buy us more.  (If you went for both, you'd be at -2 to cast the invisibility, which would have to be the last one cast.)

Side note - "outside the circle" means that's where you'd be when things start to get loud.  Presumably you'd be close enough on the down-wind side you could get inside in a turn or so if you decided you wanted to.

In that case, I think it might be good if just Gorrid and Kharla went in invisibly, the Drake and Istvan can rush in when the fighting starts if they want to. It will offer the opportunity to catch them from multiple angles at the same time. Meanwhile I plan to keep Spriggy at far range and blast with magic missile from afar. Maybe Charlotte can even help increase the range a bit.

Cool let's do it.  Kharla and Sir Gorrid sneak in after (IF) Gossel has lead the goblins away and take out as many barbarians as we can before all hell breaks loose.

It doesn't appear that poisoning requires a roll, skill just says I can use it:
Poisoner
You’ve mastered the care and use of a poison. Choose a poison from the list below;
that poison is no longer dangerous for you to use. You also start with three uses of the poison you choose.
Whenever you have time to gather materials and a safe place to brew you can make three uses of the poison you choose for free.
• Goldenroot: (applied) The target treats  the next creature they see as a trusted ally, until proved otherwise.

Does Istvan want to try blessing anyone before we go?  (Not sure if Charlotte is able to double that or not?)  Totally fine if you'd rather hold off on that until things get noisy, given that you're already at a -1 and we wouldn't want a bad roll to interfere with our surprise advantage.  (On the other hand, having a blessing in effect when we're trying to sneak in could be helpful...)

Getting a little overwhelmed with options...

Right now, I feel like I shouldn't bother with making Istvan invisible... but the idea of attempting to Bless one person is tempting... I'm leaning toward Sir Gorrid?

Discussion...?

Sounds good to me, Istvan. The roll I just failed might render all of our plans moot though. :-P

UH yeah, think I'll wait and see what happens next before Blessing...

I forgot to respond to this. Gorrid, you can have two of my throwing daggers. I will modify my inventory to reflect this, so go ahead and add two to your own inventory.

Thank you!!! :)

That won't be enough to kill it, though maybe we'll be lucky and they won't wear armor when they're sleeping and it won't take another full 6 to drop this one. :)

Looks like the emergency throwing daggers I gave you are already paying off! ;-)

Yup.  I'm partly surprised I didn't hit Kharla... :)

I am enjoying the Gorrid and Kharla show. Keep up the interesting antics you two! Spriggy is going to continue watching silently for the time being.

Should I return the knife to you by trying to hit your 2nd worg with it?

If this keeps up I can just imagine the look of Gorrid appearing to dance his way through the slaughter of the worgs.

I can't speak for Gorrid, but please do that. That would be awesome!

Sorry - posted before I read this.  Kharla's still welcome to return the knife though :)

Gorrid, I think you also have an unused +1 from Kharlah's recent attack. I'm not positive you can split the bonuses between the rolls, but maybe you can.

How do I get a bonus from Kharla's attack?  Can you point me to the relevant post?  (Also not clear on how a prior attack would give me a bonus two worgs down the line :>)

I am pretty sure it is a perk from her backstab ability.

Fair enough :)  I'll leave it to the GM whether that can apply to stabbing worg #1 and save my +1 from Discern for worg#2

Kharla - I believe you have 2 more to do.  (Sir Gorrid was careful to not hog all the fun - he was concerned you might get upset ;>)

Did I misread the above?  If we both got at least a 7 didn't we eliminate them all?

Actually I think you only needed your 1st Defy Danger roll, you got a 7 with your +1 from Discern Realities, right?  An 8 if you also use the +1 Kharla generated.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:30, Thu 15 Apr 2021.

I read that as "one Defy Danger per worg".  We'd taken out 2 of 8.  So that means we each have 3 left - thus my 3 rolls.

What I meant was, if someone fails the roll, the worgs wake up, but one of them is dead for each person who rolls. If everyone makes their rolls, you clear out the worgs without waking them.

Oh so I should have kept rolling.  Sorry for the misunderstanding

V.bad turbulence day for me. Took all day for turbulence to calm. Tomorrow busy though. Sat-Sun should be normal (well the new normal? Maybe?)

Sorry to hear that Istvan.  Hope things calm down quickly for you

Take your time, Istvan. I'm just glad you had time to give us an update.

New normal is better than some of the other options.  Wishing you a more peaceful next few days Istvan.  I expect the next bit is going to involve a bonfire, some stew made from some of the animals in the nearby deep-freeze and well-earned rest and relaxation for the party.