Gidday everyone, let's use this thread to introduce ourselves and start hashing out some ground rules and discuss expectations etc  I have not payed a game of AD&D for quite some time but I have all the rule books, a whole bunch of modules, both TSR and Judges Guild and I am looking forward to getting back into D&D.

As I posted in the Interest Check, I like big parties so I am hoping we can get 8 - 10 players on board with a mix of all then main races and all the main classes.

I am assuming you all have access to the rule books?  Or have at least some experience playing D&D in the past?  It's not necessary but it will obviously help quite a bit if you have :)

I have just posted the interest check today and have to do a bit of a refresher over the next couple of days.  In the mean time, please take the time to introduce yourselves and talk about what you are looking to get out of the game, how often you are likely to post etc

Any questions, fire away here or mail me.

Hello everyone.  I have actually had more interest in the game than I expected, 12 players have sent RTJ's already, so to speed things up I have added everyone with their player name so you can discuss things.  I am about to post some details on character generation so people can get started on rolling Stats, choosing class, race and alignment (for some this has a bearing on their name).  As soon as you have the basics sorted I will start editing your character sheets, change your names etc

Please bear with me while I get things set up.  Initially I would like to try and keep the character sheets as simple as possible, I have found in other RPOL games that if the sheets get too complicate i waste a lot of time trying to find stuff or update sheets but if you have practical suggestions, please feel free to post your ideas.

Now on to character generation :)

I am hoping to roll a bard, but that takes some great rolling.  Going fighter/thief/bard, and considering the ability to sing for everyone's healing are nice features.

First attempt was a bust.  Didn't miss by much, just... *sigh*
This message was last edited by the player at 04:34, Thu 07 Jan 2021.

Well we are down to 11 players already, I just got abused by a player for not setting up his character with the right name in this first few minutes of setting up the game.

Just to set the standard right from the start.  I will not tolerate abuse from players directed at me or at other players.  You are welcome to disagree and present your case in a civilized manner, however abuse or bullying will not be tolerated, this is a game and we are here to have fun.  If anyone has a problem with that you should leave the game now.  If any player is subjected to abuse from another player, let me know and I will remove the offender.  There are enough trolls in Greyhawk without having to deal with player trolls.

Now on to game rules discussions.

In addition to the Players Handbook, I do have Unearthed Arcana however I am reluctant to include a lot of this material simply because it complicates the game and I don't really want the game rules to get in the way of actually playing the game.  What are your thoughts folks?

It looks like the RPoL dice roller doesn't like players, you may need to make several attempts to get a set of 6 abilities with two scores of 15 or better.  As these are important dice rolls I am confident you will all push on to try and get some decent scores, I am yet to meet a D&D player who doesn't want good ability scores :)

Unearthed Arcana, namely the Weapon Specialization, is a key thing for fighters. You can skip pretty much everything else. Though you may want to consider the spells.


Will you be using the Hit modifiers vs different AC's? It adds a lot of work but does make certain armours better because of that. And certain weapons.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:09, Thu 07 Jan 2021.

I think we can use Weapon Specialization without comploicating things oo much but I am probably not going to use Hit Mods vs AC's.
I am open to introducing the spells as the game progresses, probably MU's can choose from Players Handbook spells to start with and might be able to access the new spells as the game progresses, Clerics and Druids we will deal with on a case by case basis.

I expect character generation may take a little time to get sorted out while I reacquaint myself with the rules and 11 personalities get used to working together as a unit so please be patient folks and ask questions if there is anything you are not sure about.

Weapons specialization is one of the best things in the UA. Some DM's only allow fighters to have the bonus, others allow Rangers or old style Paladins to have the skill. Since I have just enough to make a Ranger, I confess a certain interest!

[Private to GM: Some player abused you about not getting the name right?? Geez, hope you threw him or her out immediately. Give me the dink's name in case he applies to one of my games so I can reject the rtj.]

I am going to play a fighter (rolled crappy) but am unfamiliar with UA.

Obviously Race and Age mods take effect after you assign your ability rolls, just to make sure everyone gets best advantage from their age mods

Young Adult = -1 Wisdom & +1 Constitution

Mature = +1 Strength & +1 Wisdom

I don't think there is any chance of characters being in the older categories but the mods are cumulative so a mature charcater ends up with +1 STR, +1 CON and the WIS mods cancel each other out.

I played mostly DnD Basic and 2nd Edition, so I am looking forward to this, although I may stumble on the differences.  I can post daily, but sometimes I will drift to one post every two.

I am willing to play a fighter or really any hole we get in interest.  I have to reread the rules to decide but I have options with my stats.

Are we using training costs?

Yes there will be training costs, I posted about that in the X Points thread and that is another reason why I don't award X points for treasure as it can create a situation where players have the X points to go up a level but can't actually afford to train.

Hello everyone. Sounds like we have a bunch of fighters already, so that is covered. I am running a cleric in another game so I will go with a Wizard.

Is Psionics available?

Looks like the character sheets need to be opened so we can edit them.

Thanks

I have been opening character sheets as each player contacts me with their ability scores and what race and class they are so I can let them know what dice they need to roll for their age.  Your sheet is open now.

No psionics for this game

Hi all, I am thud. I like to sneak up on people and stab them in the back. It’s much more effective that way.

I promise not to do that to you. :)

In reply to Thud (msg # 17):

Birahu the Black, Ur-Flan Wizard who worships the World Serpent, Mok-slyk!

In reply to Birahu (msg # 18):

Working on my sheet, I'm slow. ;-)

Is a dagger 1d4, or 1d6 in 1st edition, I don't recall.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:45, Thu 07 Jan 2021.

1d4 for a dagger

In reply to Hand of Destiny (msg # 20):

Thought so, thanks.

In reply to Birahu (msg # 21):

NAME Birahu CLASS Magic User LEVEL 1
STR 15 RACE Human HP
INT 15 SEX Male AC
WIS 15 AGE 29 TITLE
DEX 12 HEIGHT 5'9" MOVE
CON 16 WEIGHT 165 GOD Mok-slyk
CHR 8 LANGUAGES ALIGNMENT Neutral

My first goal was a Dwarven Fighter/Thief but if we have a lot of Fighters I may look to fill in other rolls for us. I Have a decent set of stats so really I can be about anything (I won't be a Paladin).

I'm looking at an elven F/MU.

yes, I am allowing cantrips

Based on what I am seeing so far we have a good spread of characters, all the main races are represented but only 1 druid, no clerics.  Still two more players to generate characters, so if at least one of them goes Cleric or Druid you should be OK, both would be even better.  You can never have too many warrior priests, I've seen Vikings :)

In reply to Epilo'josia (msg # 29):

Oh I would definitely keep the Druid, it can be tricky get the right dice roll for that class and the party would do with with a druid and a cleric, or better 2 of one and 1 of the other, in a group of 11 players I think 3 healers is the way to go if you can get it but that is all up to you guys as players.  I would not be averse to someone running a cleric as a secondary character (if anyone was interested in something like that?)

Is anyone else playing a thief or am I the Bilbo Baggins of this band of dwarves? :)

In reply to Thud (msg # 31):

I'm a human wizard with my one spell to count on.

In reply to Birahu (msg # 32):

Was looking at the chart of what everyone has that they're running! Looks good, all we need is a priest of Pelor or Cuthbert or both!

All I need is equipment. Other than that, I'm done.

We doing skills at all? I know they aren't 1st edition.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:34, Thu 07 Jan 2021.

If anyone wants to roll on the Secondary Skills table, that's fine.  It's a percentile roll, label your roll in the dice roller and let me know the score and I can give you the result or if you have a DMG you can check the result yourself, but post it somewhere or even make it part of your description.

In reply to Hand of Destiny (msg # 38):

14:45, Today: Birahu rolled 26 using 1d100.  skill table.

26%

I just want to verify before I start my PC we are using Solo Fighters and Rangers only for specialization? I've seen it done both ways and arguments for and against both ways.

Anyone with the Fighter Class or subclass, including multi-class

I am not sure what this Weapons Specialization is.

I will try looking it up, but definitely worth it, since I won't have but two weapons to start with, but 4 proficiencies.

In reply to Treakle (msg # 45):

Just found out my cousin lost her 4.5 year battle with cancer back in November. So sad. She was 57.

I'll finish Birahu tomorrow. Just need to buy equipment, with 50 gp, won't be much.

Sorry for your loss :(

In reply to Hand of Destiny (msg # 49):

Thank you. She died from Lung Cancer.

In reply to Birahu (msg # 46):

I am sorry for your loss :(

Korkas Stonedelver is done, barring any last minute things from the GM.

So I can specialize as a F/MU?

In reply to Del'Cerys (msg # 53):

Yes

In reply to Birahu (msg # 50):

Terribly sorry to hear about this. Deepest condolences.

Hey, hey gang.  Salochin the Bold checking in.  Rolling up a cleric now.

Almost done with Del, she's a typical Sylvan Elf Fighter/Magic User from Highfolk.

I am moving tomorrow however, and internet at the new house may or may not be hooked up tomorrow, so it could be a slow weekend for me.

OK we have had another player join the group, we are back to an even dozen and now have 2 clerics and a druid so it looks like we are ready to rock and roll folks :)

I have posted instructions in the New Character Check List for players as soon as you have completed your character sheets I can start introducing individuals to the Free City of Greyhawk :)

We have 4 characters at the gates of the city now, waiting on other players to contact me when they are finished generating characters and filling out their sheets.

I believe I'm ready to go, half-elven Ranger hailing from (after extensive deliberation) Saltmarsh.

Just finished shopping and paring down my equipment list to medium encumbrance, barely.  I seriously overestimated Finn's strength.

I hope to finish tommorow night.  I'm not as familiar with the world of greyhawk as other campaigns, although I played in Ket and a module once in the phospherous forest / swamp, whereever that is.

And every DM's version of Greyhawk is different as well :)

I am still tweaking character sheets folks, so if you find something odd, let me know.

The shopping list of items is slowly being expanded and includes Encumberance and movement rates for various armour types.

The mains things people need to finalise are: Shopping lists/encumbrance, Alignment, God, Secondary Skills

Still working out the best way to display Encumbrance info and working out Move but not going to get hung up on that too much just yet, however it will become an issue when you need to transport treasure in any quantity.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:24, Sun 10 Jan 2021.

Who is "we" and what rules are you referring to?

Korkas and I have worked out our past. I have updated my background and entry posts.

In reply to Epilo'josia (msg # 71):

Green Dragon Inn is the most!

Just as a reminder for those that haven't played 1st Ed for a while on Weapon Proficiencies you gain a new one every X additional levels.

pg 37 PHB

A wizard gets one and a new one at 5th or 6th, too far down the road to matter! ;-)

In reply to Birahu (msg # 74):

7th actually :P


But too far down the road to matter still holds true :)
This message was last edited by the player at 17:50, Mon 11 Jan 2021.

Are you wanting to allow double Specialization btw? If someone wants to drop another Proficiency in a single weapon?

Lololololololololololol! True!

yes Specialization and double specialization are both available, the less number of weapons you can use, the more magic weapons will go to the scrap heap :)  As a DM I laugh when fighters specialize in bastard swords, magic ones are as rare as hens teeth but magic long swords just about fall out of the sky!

In reply to Hand of Destiny (msg # 78):

The irony is in my live 1st ed game. My DM has handed out magic battle-axes (2), magic glaive,  magic dagger, magic bastard sword and not a single Magic Longsword. So I never count on my weapons being "common" magical items.

Granted he doesn't allow specialization he didn't want to use UA though I think its the only thing that helps fighters really shine with the other classes and their abilities as levels grow.

We have 7 players ready to go now and 6 that still need to finish their characters, a couple of those are nearly done.  How much longer do we wait before we kick off the game?

In reply to Hand of Destiny (msg # 80):

Given the nature you could probably kick it off anytime now and the others can join as we progress along. But I would give the others a 24-48 hour window or so.

I like my Bastard Sword, thank you very much.  If a magic one comes along, I will just like it that much more. ;)

Funny enough, without even going over it with you. One of my other weapons I know is the Bastard Sword as I just like that sword too. So the two dwarven fighters from Verbonc have trained in the use of a Bastard Sword. One just focused on it and the other decided daggers was the better option.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:35, Mon 11 Jan 2021.

Maybe it was I who taught you?  That fits the background.

In reply to Treakle (msg # 85):

I'm 83 years old. You older?

Okay, maybe I learned it from you. LOL

In reply to Treakle (msg # 87):

More likely we learned from the same mentor?

Could be.  I was always interested in fighting, and kids always wanted to prove themselves against the strongest guy in the area.

Folks I would prefer if you play down any familiarity of your characters with locations from published game modules i.e. Saltmarsh, Homlet, the Borderlands etc  As this is a "Classic D&D" campaign I may use all or parts of some of those adventures as part of the story but if I think that a particular character knows too much about a specific area/location then it complicates the situation.

 Also some modules don't have a specified location in Greyhawk and I may decide to place that location somewhere other than where you think it is :)

Of course there is always the possibility that multiple locations have the same name, there could be more than one Homlet or Saltmarsh or Borderlands.

My apologies.  I am very familiar with the Keep on the Borderlands as part of Mystara.  Gygax placed/stole the Keep in his module "Return to the Keep on the Borderlands and placed in there.  I have not played the Return but I can probably run the original without the  module.

Couple questions as different editions & DM's handle some of this differntly:

• Backstab, is it only during surprise type round? Or can it be anytime that I am able to attack from the rear?

PG 27 PHB:

• How will be doing initiative? Will Speed Factor and Spell segments matter?
• What about weapon lengths for charging opponents?
• Will we be able to draw our weapons and move? Or just one or the other?
• Will we be able to move and attack if we have our weapons out, without charging?

sorry for the long list of questions. But I want to make sure we are on the same page. 1st ed rules make a lot of suggestions on what to use. And then it doesn't answer other questions like drawing and moving. But it does state that you cant move and attack without charging. But other editions allow it and I've seen it handled both way even for 1st.

Let's deal with backstabs first, it is all pretty much as written, the +4 to hit is only for the surprise attack.  Yes can can continue getting double damage for rear attacks after the first round, but a second attack from behind on the same target won't get +4 hit after the first round as the target knows you are there and is no longer surprised.  Most intelligent opponents will only let a thief get double damage in the first attack as they will most likely turn around but each combat will be different.

OK as to the other combat related questions, everything is pretty much as per the PHB or the DMG except for Speed Factor which I do not use.  Combat is complicated enough already.

Initiative will be for each team, not for individuals (assuming surprise is not a factor).  You may wish to choose a team leader or some such to roll initiative on behalf of the party, I will leave that up to you guys.

Casting time will be used, as a spell user who is hit while casting looses that spell.

The individual with the longest weapons strikes first during charging, there is no initiative roll for charging.

A combat round is a full minute, I see no reason why a weapon cannot be drawn while you move.

Depending on how far you have to move you will probably be able to do both, at least if you are moving less than half your move before attacking but we will decide on a case by case basis using common sense where practicable.

In reply to Korkas (msg # 92):

Korkas and I should always try to be on either side of an opponent so they have to choose who they want to take hits from :)

In reply to Thud (msg # 95):

There will be no good choice.

In reply to Epilo'josia (msg # 97):

DM Said lets get this show on the road. So I've been assuming yes and he's responded to my post.

Yes, those of you who have access to Chapter 1, which is almost everyone now, can start posting.

Greyhawk is one of the biggest cities in the world (think New York) and I have given you all a clue for meeting up to create a premise for the formation of a party (rather than just dump you all in the same tavern at the start of the game).  You don't have to accept it but if you don't meet up on day one there is a good chance you will never encounter the rest of the group in such a large city with so many possibilities and potential outcomes.

I am trying to find a better map actually, the City map in the game wiki is actually post-Greyhawk Wars, I am looking for the original map from the boxed set that I have.  Not having much luck at the moment, we can work with this one for now but I would prefer the original if I can find it :(

In reply to Hand of Destiny (msg # 102):

You have Denis Tetreaux's map, called Maldin. He's a Geology professor at the University of Windsor in Ontario Canada, known him for years.

Hrmm I'll help look for some maps. I think I found some before. Do you just need pdf files for them? Or do you need actual websites with the images prehosted? not sure how the wiki works.




Thud you're welcome to join Treakle and I on our march to the Wanted list if you want. Whether you follow us or approach. Though approaching may be safer :P

Especially considering the number of blades.

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/ima...hawk_Maps/107031.jpg


Another option:
http://melkot.com/locations/cogh/cogh.html
This message was last edited by the player at 20:39, Wed 13 Jan 2021.

Thanks guys but all these maps are post Greyhawk wars, I am looking for scans of the actual maps from the boxed set.  They have numbered locations like the one you are heading to for the WANTED scenario.  We can get by with what we have for the next week or so but I will have to head in to the big smoke with my maps and get some scans done I think is going to be the best solution.

In reply to Hand of Destiny (msg # 107):

Hrmm I can keep looking. I swear some of the things I saw say original maps, but original can be misnomer given how many versions of it has been printed over the years.

Group 1 has a map of the area around the Cargo Gate, those of you who want to talk to Sergeant Erkennis will need to make your way to R5

  This will be my last "poke" from the DM, after this you are on your own :)

  The WANTED scenario is designed so that you can travel around the city as a group, complete the mission and a get a bit of a tour of the city as you go. It also means that I can write up descriptions of various locations as you go.

  If players want to go exploring other locations first it means I have to write up other locations not necessarily related to the first mission which will slow the game down quite a bit this early on as there are so many possibilities for where you could go that I cannot foresee.  Greyhawk is a BIG city.

  Also if you don't all arrive at the WANTED location at a similar time then those who are late will miss out on that particular employment opportunity and the party will be split into more that one faction before the game has even really started.

  Having said all of that, I am willing to run the game in multiple groups or even individuals but a I said earlier, this will slow the game down having to write up descriptions for multiple groups and maintaining different time lines means there is a high likelihood different groups or individuals may never get the opportunity to meet up.

  One other thing I did not make clear at each of the Gate descriptions (I have fixed it now).  The Freesword Tax can be paid at the gates, but weapon licenses can only be obtained at the Captain-General's office in the Citadel.  Check the gate descriptions to see which weapons do not need licenses.

Korkas, I think we need to visit the citadel before we go further, so we can get licenses for these weapons.

In reply to Treakle (msg # 111):

Sign for your weapons you mean :P I only have daggers.

Okay, but I still need to do that. ;)

Despite my best efforts to get all players to converge on the one destination, almost all of you have decided to take side trips which will delay your arrival and complicate matters.

I am setting up new threads for each player so you can decide what you are doing (IC) and I can respond to individual threads.  This is going to be clunky because players can only access maps from their own groups and until I get a complete detailed map of the city I can only post the smaller maps.

There is still the larger map in the game wiki which I hope will help you understand the big picture but there are no numbered locations on that map yet, just on the smaller maps.

In reply to Hand of Destiny (msg # 114):

The original Gate Thread Disappeared. Did you mean to do that?

Yes, for now most players have their own threads as you are not aware of what the other characters are doing.

I had included everyone in the original thread as I had made the mistake of assuming you would all head toward the same location, now that you are all heading in different directions I have moved you into different groups.

In reply to Hand of Destiny (msg # 116):

I only ask because directions were given in that thread and I can't look back on it. Not that you'll likely require it. Just a more if thing. And I can't remember exactly what I joked Treakle's sword was called.

I should have threads set up for each player or group of players now, if any has any problems or not sure what to do next, please mail me.

We have lost our Druid, he gave no reason just left but we have picked up another fighter and another fighter thief and I have at least one other enquiry from a new player so I doubt we will have any problems finding more meat for the ginder new party members as required :)

I am adding a few new locations to the Game Wiki each day however if there is a particular location you plan on visiting that I have not yet described, just shoot me a PM

In reply to Hand of Destiny (msg # 118):

Green Dragon Inn? ;-)

Already an entry :)

In reply to Hand of Destiny (msg # 120):

Where is it listed? I didn't see it.

In reply to Birahu (msg # 121):

You will find it soon enough, assuming everyone actually turns up for the scenario I have planned :)

In reply to Birahu (msg # 121):

http://wiki.rpol.net/?id=76025...Green%20Dragon%20Inn


It's under the River Quarter.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:33, Sat 16 Jan 2021.

In reply to Korkas (msg # 123):

Without your link I can't find it, thanks for the link, Birahu will be staying there after he gets done job hunting.

Hi Everyone,

Thanks to the DM for adding me to this game. I am a long time ADND player and love the World of Greyhawk. I am playing a human fighter and I am finishing up my character sheet. I reading up on the posts and will try to catch up.

Greetings Menion. Korkas Dwarven Fighter/Thief Dagger enthusiast.

Welcome fellow fighter, Dwarven, Bastard sword.

And another greetings  --  there's something about old style D&D that's just a lot of fun.

The wandering monsters?   The iron rations?   The lack of cartoony, anime style feats and mind numbing amount of options?   All of those things, and more-!

Half-elf cleric/fighter, in service of Xan Yae.

In reply to Inaya (msg # 128):

Greetings and solicitations to all. Flan wizard.

Greetings fellow Wizard.

It's always the little things that are fun;  I got gambler for secondary skill.  Nothing I'd have thought of for the character, but I like how it's going to fit in..

In reply to Osric Ironheart (msg # 130):

Rhennee Boat man, aren't you supposed to be a witch? ;-) Females of the Rhen wield the magic. Heheheheheheheheh, just kidding, glad to meet a fellow wizard!

Well, given that this is 1st edition, I do not have the option to be a sorcerer or warlock. Maybe Boccob is having a good laugh.

This being 1st edition you are a warlock at 8th level and a Sorcerer at 9th :)

Haha, it took me a minute to get that!

I find it funny a 1st level fighter is a veteran.   Veteran of what, exactly?  The pub?

Veteran of some war, where they teach you enough to make you dangerous, but not enough to be great.

Treakle has it right. NPC are generally Warriors (NPC Class - Not fighter Title) if they have skills with weapons but no where near as good as Fighter who has been trained, seen battle, etc. So veteran makes sense, they have experienced more and trained harder than your average watch guard or militia man.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:10, Mon 18 Jan 2021.

I see; it does make sense a fighter would have practical experience, before going off to confront the kinds of things encountered on an adventure.

Good one! I always assumed that the fighter was perhaps a conscript recently released from service though the starting age argues against that. Another charming 1st edition contradiction.

The only real use for player's title is when they introduce themselves to an NPC or perhaps another player.  When you use your formal title you are effectively announcing what level you are :)

So, for example, if a 1st level Magic User wants to introduce himself as a Wizard or a Sorcerer and he is found out to be misleading people at a later date, there may well be consequences, so I suggest you don't throw around titles carelessly.

A number of players are ready to start the first adventure, I will give folks another 24 hours to catch up and join the action.  This first scenario is an introduction to parts of the city so anyone who can't catch up in the next 24 hours, don't worry, there is plenty to keep you busy in the Free City and hopefully you can all meet up again in the next day or two of gameplay.  There is the possibility of running two separate groups until you can all meet up so don't stress :)

It looks like due to real world issues we may have lost a couple of players or they may be delayed in starting but I am keeping the game open for new players.  It looks like we still have over a dozen players, so far so good!

Any questions, please don't hesitate to message me.

Kari total RP moments. Aside from a couple specific campaigns I do not actively work against the party ever.

I am pretty confident that everything so far has just been role playing to establish your characters so I am not too worried.  I established at the outset there would be no evil characters among the players to avoid any infighting.  There is more than enough evil in the land, this is going to be a target rich environment so there will be no need for fighting among yourselves although I do expect there will be disagreements from time to time, especially in such a large group but if you guys make the effort to work together the benefits will be worthwhile :)

I know Korkas.  FYI formerly you knew me as Kossoth Zan.

Kari is abrasive and sometimes his mouth runs before his brain can stop him but ultimately a good guy.  Looking forward to plenty of RP like that with you Korkas if you want to have it stick around if or till it dissipates.

Awesome. That means' Korkas will get "along" great. Both being a bit abrasive. Should be a fun dynamic.

So it seems we have a bit of a problem with one of the new player characters folks that I'd like to get everyone's feedback.

Jorda is a Paladin.

Paladin's cannot associate with Neutral characters for more than one adventure.  We have at least 5 neutral characters in the party.  I am not going to ask anyone to change alignment.  The restriction of who a Paladin can associate with is obviously to balance out some of the other very powerful abilities that Paladin's have.

I can't see any way to make this work :(

^^ A bridge that surely can be burned later. [particularly with the infamous flake-rate of RPoL ... I doubt very much the group we start with will be the group we finish with]

I see it as a roleplaying opportunity, though, rather than a roadblock.

If we make it through the first adventure and still find ourselves with an alignment mismatch ... then we can get to the business of sorting this one out.

Maybe the paladin and the rest of the group has to travel through the wilds to visit temple such-and-such, so that they can seek guidance/atonement for the sin of mixed company.  And maybe one or more of the neutral sorts has a moral epiphany along the course of our first tale ... becomes good aligned.

Maybe we finish the first tale, only to part ways.  Two official parties.  One good and one mostly good with some neutral ... but as soon as we part ways ... we get drawn back together to fight some greater evil or something.


Basically, instead of "you can't" I would do something like "ok, you can ... but here is how your life just got interesting."

In reply to Hand of Destiny (msg # 146):

We have always played it more about actions then direct alignment (other than evil) there. If even the neutral folks are acting in a good behavior then the Paladin shouldn't know one way or the other. As they have no ability to detect good, only evil.



Salochin also has the right of it as well.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:24, Sat 23 Jan 2021.

I'm one of said neutral characters.   I went with the same alignment as my goddess, though I did mention to the GM that I tend toward good.

I agree it should be a matter of role play, not mechanics.   Honestly, I don't even really like alignment, though it can be an interesting way of looking at a person's ethics and morals.   But generally, I prefer to play a character as a personality, not an alignment.

Inaya is neutral in that she's a little rough around the edges, and isn't a "save the masses" sort of person.   She's more likely to support specific people, groups, and causes, and the goals of her (neutral) faith.

If a bunch of us are all working to survive together, how is a paladin going to know who the neutrals are?    Unless there is obvious selfish behavior?  They detect evil, but aren't able to "know alignment."    I can understand the GM wants to stick with what the book says, but personally, I'd relax this rule just a little.  It doesn't make a paladin more powerful to adventure with a few neutral people.  Especially if the group as a whole is serving a good cause.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:35, Sat 23 Jan 2021.

I'd like to mention two extremes.

1. The rules are the rules. That's the version of D&D we're playing.

2. The books themselves say players can modify or change rules to fit their group. However, if we do that, where is the line drawn? What happens the next time someone wants to change or modify something?

If a discussion like this would ever lead to a player possibly leaving, I would much rather modify the rule than lose a player.

OK folks thanks for your input, let's see how things pan out :)

Lol, thought I posted something but it looks like it never took.

Essentially there is plenty of leeway even if you look at the rules in a vacuum and don't make assumptions beyond what is said.

Unfortunately the player running Jorda decided to delete their character after I made accommodations to keep them here in the game.  The player has now been removed from the game, I have zero tolerance for 'difficult' players however I intend re-creating the character as a NPC.  Let's move on...

In reply to Hand of Destiny (msg # 153):

Some people.

Hey, nice work on the locations, Korkas.   I wasn't quite sure how to approach it, but got inspiration from reading yours.  One down, four to go...

In reply to Inaya (msg # 155):

4 quit already? Wow!! too bad.

No, no!

I was talking about locations left to write up!   The topic changed.   (the DM said move on, so...)  Sorry for the panic, Birahu.

In reply to Inaya (msg # 157):

no, I was looking at NPC's I know 2 or 3 WERE players.

Oh.  It's not so uncommon --  players come on, decide it's not quite what they imagined, and bail out.   I see it most games.

In reply to Inaya (msg # 159):

So do I, it is sad though, and if departures are bad or silent, disappointing and irritating.

This is just my opinion:   I believe some players come on with some novel in their head, built around their character.    Like, they're the star of the book.   And then they have to deal with being a part of a group, and find everything isn't going to go the way they want it to.    I think those are a fair number of your 'bad' or 'silent' departures.

In reply to Inaya (msg # 161):

True, Prima donnas.

Thank you. I didn't quite know what to do at first. But it got easier as it went along.

For those doing the bonus X quest.

If you place the following line at the end of your scenario it will take you back to the Rivers Quarter launch page.

[[River%20Quarter |River Quarter]]

Some people get more joy from creating characters and backstories than from the actual play of the game.  Yes, some are prima donnas, but others like the excitement of set up, like going to college, but once you get into the job and find a lot of time is just spent waiting, pushing papers, doing the same thing day to day, menial tasks, etc., they realize that it isn't going to be wall to wall excitement.  Reality stinks, but if you are patient, there will come a day when your heart is beating with anticipation for what you think is coming.

Cool, thanks! Added it to my entries.

The first one abused me and rage quit, two others created characters and then ghosted me and the 4th was our paladin.  With the number of players we have in the group now we don't have room for players who are not going to post or communicate or cause problems.  We have more than enough active, co-operative players to run a pretty active and diverse game.  I think if players go more than 3 or 4 days without posting or telling anyone what is going on they will most likely get left behind in the story line.  If anyone goes more than 2 weeks without posting I will remove them, I thought about removing players after 1 week but there may be legitimate real life reasons that can affect people.

More so with the way things have been going lately.

You know for a moment I was very confused since I didn't see any posts...then hit the side of my head going...right...wiki, lol.

I'll be working on them tonight and at latest will have by tomorrow.

If a character falls too far behind, we can send them to scout ahead or open the suspicious box.  :)

If a player falls to far behind I expect they will become a pack horse :)

I will give it another 24 hours before I do the next game update, if anyone doesn't have time to finish their descriptions for the Bonus X Points, don't stress.  So long as you have let me know your intentions you wont miss out :)

 Finally! My character has arrived.

Hello, Kaldanne.

Hello, Kaldanne is a typical meat shield....uhm.. I of course meant a brave handsome warrior. :)

No No a meat shield works well. Won't be handsome for too long either. But hey let them hit you. I'll stab them in the back provide flanking support

(OOC)
How do you guys want to handle Initiative Rolls, do you want a dedicated person to make the roll or the first person to log in?

A Tactical Map has been uploaded to the Main Map

I vote for first person to log in.

For those of us with spells memorized, where do you want them noted?   There isn't really a spot on the sheet.  (I don't think)

First person to login works for me.

Ooops, I missed it, added it now

I think I am asleep, so no vote in the matter.

First person to login as well works for me too. That or you are the simplest options.

If there's a map for this situation, I'm unclear where to find it.

In reply to Inaya (msg # 182):

Game Map (top of screen) -- Main Game Map.

At the top, Game Map, View the Main Game Map.

I’d be good with declare actions and then have the DM roll init for the two sides, then they can sum up the round. In old editions of D&D you had to declare actions first, then toss the dice. Losing init can lead to all sorts of complications, particularly for any casters (Losing spells, etc).

And I’m pretty sure that no other edition holds a candle to first edition for how ruthlessly deadly a surprise round can get.

Shouldn't our group have been given the chance to make a roll against being surprised?

The specifics of this particular encounter state that the party is taken by surprise and under the circumstances this is to be expected.  It has been a very long day in an environment that for all of you is completely foreign, total sensory overload for most of you and at the end of a pretty successful work day your guard would have been down heading back to the Guild Hall.

Bear in mind this is a 1st level scenario, I am not going to try and kill everyone off on day one, I will give you at least a week :)  And the scenario is designed to give you all a purpose, a means of bringing you together as a team, blah, blah.  Just roll with it :)

Just in case anyone thinks I am being 'unfair', this is how the scenario is supposed to play out.  I am not the kind of DM who is out to get anyone.  It is a short scenario and if you are successful (which a group this size should easily win) then I think the reward is actually more than it should be for such a scenario.

I sent a PM to anyone who lost more than their coins

FYI don't go and delete the coins from your sheet yet, *spoiler* there is a chance you might recover everything you have lost.

And just one other thing for everyone to bear in mind now, whilst I consider all of you to be 'active' players (logging in at least every 2-3 days) some of you are 'very active' players logging in several times daily.  The 'very active' players will need to exercise patience and wait for everyone to have a chance to log in and post, especially when it comes to combat.

When we get to combat time I will put together a combat summary with some basic stats for everyone which I will post during combat updates.  I have found in PBP games this is the clunkiest part of running these games.  If anyone has any suggestions from other games they play that might help with the flow of the game when we get to combat, please don't hold back.  I may not take everything on board but sometimes people come up with gems from other games that can really help :)

Player-wise, I'm good with moving on, just threw in some in-character grumpiness since Salochin follows the god of bravery and just got called a coward.

Picking fights with the Nightwatchmen, probably the most dependable law enforcement agency in the city (and your current employer) is not going to win you any friends or favors in Greyhawk.  If you guys continue down this path I expect this is going to be a very short campaign.

Nightwatchman slights us. I respond with my own slight back. Watchman further slights us. It's a 2 way street man.

Understood.  I won't make a habit of having the character be the sand in the NPC's shorts.

I just PM'd you, he did not slight you, you chose to be insulted because your character is constantly spoiling for a fight, even after the entire party just got mugged and now you want to pick a fight with your employer!

(Inaya just stands by, makes a peace sign)

I'll Note Korkas left to go talk with the Sergeant after his "discussion" with the gnome.




So I'm really not sure the "timeline" of things anymore or if people stuck around to look around or not.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:59, Wed 27 Jan 2021.

I assume everyone is going back to the Guild Station?  Is anyone staying behind or going somewhere else?

Guild station. A lot happened in a very short time period. I was going to post about a question posed a page and a half ago...

With so much going on I was not going to push forward on the timeline until everyone had a chance to post so do it now if it is still relevant.

It looks like everyone bar Finnian and Kari should be pretty well up to date so I will move on to the next bit at the Guild Station and hopefully they will catch up soon.

Gotta ask, did everyone roll max for hps but me? everyone with posted hps has like max hps. LOL

You should see Taya's attribute rolls.  :)

I had a couple nice rolls, HP was one of them.

I got max hps, and also snagged an 18.

Which, despite my class(es), I put in Dex.    Can't beat the AC and archery bonus.

I will wait for some kind of response from Korkas before moving on to the next update which will be the following morning so if anyone has anything they need to do overnight, please let me know.

Just barely got the stats for a ranger and, with age adjustments, wound up with cons being the big stat. Kinza is way tougher than he looks. Decent stats, just nothing legendary. Considering the die roller here and its low bias, I'll take it!

I'll be honest here. Did Korkas overreact to a slight from the DMs npc yes. But the DM still doesn't see how saying "Face the Music" or "accept responsibility for ones actions" is an accusation of doing something wrong. And continued to push things further.



Should I have backed down maybe. But Korkas tried to explain his reasonings and even gave outs for the DM to continue things. But he has this game so rail roaded that it couldn't be conceivable someone would see any faults in the night watch.

I wish you all luck and truly hope you can have fun on this train ride....

And yes DM you can go ahead and remove from this game.

Korkas, don't go. Play it out. Bet the DM already thought this through and has a second scenario locked and loaded.

In reply to Kinza (msg # 209):

Agree with Kinza, you make it interesting.

In reply to Birahu (msg # 210):

This is one of the reasons that I was very excited to join this game. I love Role Playing and story development. I dont know about y'all but that was really good RPGing (granted it went a bit south but hey that is what makes it interesting indeed)

He had a crack at me in a PM as well, it's all my fault apparently.  Sorry guys but I put a lot of time and effort into setting up this game and I am not here to be a target of someone's animosity.  I am willing to put up with a certain level of role play but when it degenerates to personal insults, I'm sorry but I am not going to be bullied by a player just because they don't get their way.

It's not like I killed off his character or deliberately persecuted him and he seems fine with having a go at every NPC he met but the second the shoe was on the other foot everything was someone else's fault, never his.

If he wants to come back at some future date that's fine but for now we are going to move on, I don't want to hold up the game for one player who won't accept that this game does not revolve around his character and there are things going on outside his control that the character is not aware of and he does not have the patience to see things through.

In reply to Hand of Destiny (msg # 212):

It is YOUR game GM, we just share in it at your convenience, ready to move on! YAY!

I disagree that this is a railroading. This is a scenario and the GM has every right to do what he has done so far in this game.

Korkas had a lot of choices of what to respond to when he woke up, including the information that I shared about the thieves guild. I would like to see him come back but I don't see how after his last OOC post.

Neither side is wrong, as there are a thousand ways to skin this particular cat.

But the first rule is this:   It’s a game, have fun.

If the current game is not fun for folks, no amount of pounding will make the square peg fit into a round hole.

I’m enjoying the game, and plan on adjusting my style of play to be a better fit. (I’ll play it off as dumb-barbarian-learns-things-the-hard-way)

@Korkas, I’ve also enjoyed role playing with you (both here and elsewhere).  See you on the boards, we’ll game again.

There's a price for lack of social skill (and hygiene) in real life too.   If you mouth off to everyone you meet, eventually you antagonize the wrong person, and there may be consequences.   He was a good player on the whole, though, sorry to see him go.

It happens. Must have seen at least twenty players over the years that got it in their heads that they had a wide open array of choices rather than a DM who had other things to do with his time than design an infinite world.

I know I've tossed probably a dozen malcontents over the years with zero regrets.

The hygiene thing, for some reason, I'm reminded of a character in Glen Cook's "Garrett" series, Lurking somebody. Garrett always knew he was there, never saw him but smelled him a mile off.

That would seem to be self-defeating for anyone in the business of stealth.    But hey, I guess it's good to have a gimmick-?

The smelly thing sounds like something out of shadow run.

I actually enjoyed the role play side of what he was doing but I was concerned that he would take things personally when an NPC stood up to his bullying, turns out he did :(

Some folks have more fun creating and defining a character than they do playing it.

Ain't that the truth!

You can move me into all of Korkas's old spots in the Marching order unless we have another dwarf in the party who is better at trapfinding and such. Or if there's another Thief who would prefer to be upfront, I can stay where I am.

I want to put something out there for the group to consider. Should we choose a character to be the leader? If so, that character would make final decisions on what the group does as a whole.

I was never fond of the first edition idea of a 'caller' that summarized what the party did or didn't do.  It's not a strategy game, we just need time to roleplay our points of view.

roflmao, a worthwhile suggestion but I had to laugh.

In another game I am running I have a long term 'problem' player and I only found out in the last couple of days that his main beef is another player is in command of the army unit they are in.  Turns out he doesn't think a player should be in charge, says it should be a NPC :)

What I meant, was the characters all have their say, but a leader makes the final decision. This would apply only to a group decision. Individual character actions would still be up to each of us.

If the group doesn't want a leader, that's okay.

I'm also not campaigning for Taya to be leader. :)

yeah I think everyone knows what you meant, in ye olden days it was "the Caller"

I have seen that work as it allows for a decision to be made but also allows for the entire party to get their say.

I think when the original game designers came up with the concept of the Caller, it was more about keeping the game running smoothly in a face to face situation, like in a game show where a team of contestants discuss their answer and the spokeperson for the group gives the game show host the team's answer.  It doesn't work as well in this PBP format because everyone can mail people directly.  That is one of the reasons why I asked earlier about how you want to handle Initiative.

As far as keeping the game rolling I do see some advantages in having one of the most active players acting as a default 'leader' but it also creates the possibility where some less 'active' players feel they are being left behind or not given an opportunity to have their say before decisions are made.

I think this is something that you should probably consider and discuss as a group but there is no urgency to make any decision quickly.  Spending a bit of time getting used to everyone's playing style first might help.

I think it should be a fluid sort of thing.  For this scene, for this encounter, etc.  One for a dungeon, someone else for a masked ball at the duke's court, that kind of thing.

That way, the spotlight (and/or privilege) can get spread around, without any sort of animosity building up.

I am voting for Salochin to not  be the caller whilst in the Free City.  :)
This message was last edited by the player at 22:59, Wed 27 Jan 2021.

yeah different characters will be more effective in different situations

I would have voted for Korkas. LOL

Well now, if it was a Name Caller we were looking for...

There is a description of the River Rat in the Game Wiki, you guys have shown you are creative writers, write some posts about what you think is likely to happen when a dozen of you walk into that bar with three women in your group, one of them a bona fide hottie paladin.

ROTFLOLPIMP!!!

To get information from people in the taverns, our group might need money. Do they have any?

Finn never kept all his money accessible.  He has some money available, and some that is too large to easily spend.

Vote Taya! (Use mail-in ballots, she'll get 300 votes from 11 players)

I voted for me.

So did I, then 18 times for Taya.

In reply to Kinza (msg # 241):

Does Kinza have a crush on Taya?  :)

Just using the 2020 voting method, Taya. No crush yet.
[Private to Taya: But can't rule it out, the immediate reaction is strong, I think Kinza would like her despite the differences.]

Okay, we'll see how things go.

[Private to Kinza: I'd be interested in role-playing something. We'll see how things develop.]

In reply to Kinza (msg # 243):

I am not here for politics and I would imagine the rest of the players don’t really care for it either. Please stop.

In reply to Thud (msg # 245):

Done. Was a joke.

Based on this I was assuming it was a strip club, not a dive bar. That’s fine :)

And thanks Kinza. I know you were joking. I just don’t want chocolate in my peanut butter :)

Thud: good one. Perfect analogy.

This message was deleted by the player at 03:24, Thu 28 Jan 2021.

FYI the reason I put all that stuff in the Game Wiki is so as not to clog up game threads :)

I assume the politicking is over and we can get on with the game?

Someone is going to have to explain the "chocolate in the peanut butter" reference (via PM please).  I assume that is something to do with US politics?  We Aussies don't get it :)

You won't need money this time around, your are on Official guild business and I know you have been robbed. Do people think I am that cruel as a DM?

However in the future, going to taverns and spending money buying rounds of drinks etc is a very good way to get rumors and Greyhawk is chock full of rumors :)

If you make me sing the whole song we could be here a while, there are quite a few verses :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bIJV8gaBK4

In reply to Treakle (msg # 253):

You guys get busy in the evening and night!

The DM, and I, live in Australia. (I am American).  Our evenings would get boring without games. LOL

I work at night, usually. This week, C19 has us grounded. All good, I have beer.

I'm east coast US, upstate NY. [GMT -5]

East coast USA but in North Florida, near Gainesville.

Ohio

My older brother lives near Gainesville.  I used have lived in Greene and Montgomery Counties in Ohio.

Deep South, usually find me down on the farm but work in the ATL.

Been there too many times. LOL   I do remember a trip to ATL in 1998.  Sang in the International Barbershop Chorus Championships there.  105 men in the group I was in, 10,000 in the audience, but it was all about those 15 judges.

I am not going to lead your investigation through Jorda, she has found a lead for you, it is up to one of you players to follow through

Way to come through in the clutch Osric :)

Thanks. I was hoping that we went the Green Dragon inn so I would not have to deal with other Rhennee. Kind of an outcast in their society but speaking many languages and making deals does smooth things out a bit.

In reply to Thud (msg # 264):

Shippensburg, Pennsylvania for me.

Sorry for my relative quiet everyone, hence why I just tossed up the keeping watch from the outside.  Been a far more busy and unexpected week.

On another note, you're not too far from me Osric.  Tallahassee.

Exile from California, have been a Texan for almost a decade now.

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.  I'm envying your weather.

Lucky you, wish I could afford to move to Texas, I got the high tax blue state blues. No money, so going nowhere.

I bailed out of Cali to improve the financial situation, and have more stability.   I miss the mild weather, the geography of California...but it was worth it.  At the end of most months, I put money away, instead of sinking, and sinking..

In reply to Inaya (msg # 271):

Congratulations! Texas is a great state, they just don't have 2,000 miles of beach!

I was part of the great exodus from NYC.

I am now somewhere between Texas and Atlanta where the land is cheap and the food is fried. :)

In reply to Thud (msg # 273):

Seafood is king, and fried chicken of course. I was looking at Mississippi or Louisiana or Texas. It takes money.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:51, Fri 29 Jan 2021.

I couldn't handle the all-year heat of the Deep South.  I like the Ohio weather, though I wouldn't mind more winter.

Texas has a normal length winter, but the spring & fall seasons (my favorites) are too short. It is pretty bad. But, I have a house out here, it was impossible back home.  I had a kid to create a stable life for.  There were work related reasons to choose Texas, as well.

Should I create another thread for Off Topic?  this thread has strayed a long way from anything game related :)

Is there an obvious lane that would allow us to walk a few building over and circle around to the back of the warehouse? Or is there someway to attempt to get around to the other side?

For a thief, the obvious route would be over the top :)

Ha! I just wouldn’t think that would be very quiet or invisible :)

Go over the top of an adjacent building?  OK no more hints from the DM, but I assume as an apprentice thief you would have been taught how to case a building?

Yeah but I, the player, am not trained in that :)

Thank you for the hint!

I am happy to try that IC but I posed a question to the group and want to wait and hear responses before I act.

This first little adventure is designed to give everyone a bit of a feel for the city, which I think it has done.  Now I am keen to get to a fight and see how you guys work as a team and also test out D&D combat, it has been a loong time for me.  All my other games here on RPoL are different systems and it is only in the last few months that I have discovered a system that seems to handle combat reasonably well and quite a bit faster that when I first started PBP games.

Also there are a few other role play situations that many of you have to check off before we start a larger scenario (dealing with guilds, weapons license etc)  Don't worry about that stuff now, lets focus on getting the gifts, your coins and spell books back first!

I need to join the Mages Guild.

You really should visit Texas in the winter if you think it's hot. Houston, maybe but not Dallas/Ft Worth where I used to work for a big firm. Got off the plane from the ATL once for a meeting and just about froze walking down the jetway. Gets nice and cold.

Atlanta isn't bad, it's really high in elevation for the south, most people don't know that, so it moderates the weather but just north in the mountains, you have plenty of winter!

My spread is actually just across the line in extreme north Alabama. I'm in Chattanooga in 45 minutes, Rome, Ga in 45 or Huntsville in 45 but no WalMart within 20 miles.

Good place to be!

Does 1e give an option for subdual damage for melee attacks like 2e?  (-4 to hit, 1/2 real and 1/2 stun?)  My character doesn't own a blackjack.

No, only non-lethal weaponless attacks, other wise, use magical options or paralysis poisons are the only options that come to mind.

It's my understanding that it's after sunset, but before midnight, so the magic-user that attacked our group hasn't renewed the two sleep spells. Of course, we don't know the MU's level.

It is more like midday, you have an appointment with the Rhennnee at sundown.

Waiting on confirmation from Kari, Inaya and Kinza on what they are doing before I update, everyone else has said they are joining the assault in one way or another

Quick question as I was writing up a post now...

The Warehouse district.  Is it inside the city walls our outside?  I didn't see any notes and my old greyhawk stuff is in storage so I don't have the key with the map to help remember where it is in the grand scheme of things.

Post 46.

==================================

Hand of Destiny
 GM, 163 posts
Mon 25 Jan 2021
at 16:09
PM | rMail | Info

 [quote] | [reply] | msg #46
Chapter 1.2 Tears at the Orphanage

(IC)
  Traipsing around the River Quarter collecting gifts from 60 different locations took more time than the group had expected.  It was after dark by the time they had collected the last of the gifts and were returning through the alley ways to the Guild House of the Nighwatchmen.
  As they made their way through the maze of side streets, with Kinza in the lead, their luck took a turn for the worse.  Kinza suddenly feels a sharp pain in the back of the neck (1 point damage, roll saving throw Vs poison).  At the same time, at the back of the group, the last three ranks of the column all suddenly feel woozy and collapse in the street.  (Inaya roll 30% resistance to Sleep)

You two are talking about two different things.

Current time in game is midday.  The attack on the party occurred after dark last night.

The wizards are trying to see if kur wizard who cast the sleep spell has had time to sleep 8 hours and rememorize her spells.

In reply to Finnian (msg # 292):

You're right. I forgot the group spent the night at the Watch barracks.

This warehouse district is inside the city walls, you have not left the city since arriving.

Since you were ambushed you returned to the Guild Station and spent the night there, it is now the following day.

To recover 1st & 2nd level spells only requires 4 hours sleep and 15 minutes per spell level to memorize

Yep, the DM was very specific about how they normally don't entertain and we were nibbling rations and leftovers.

Game moves fast! Easy to miss stuff.

Cool, thank you and yeah.  I had some RL things that kept me from posting most of the time you were in the place gathering information and agreeing to backup some others in exchange for the information on where the people who took our stuff are/went.

Hang in there, Kari, I'm sure the pace will stabilize into something manageable for all.

I'm not going anywhere.  Should get back into a slightly faster posting scheme soon myself.

It's always a juggling act finding the sweet spot for posting rates between the "I log in every two minutes" players and the "I log in every 2 days" players :)

And it seems that the players tend to be towards the ends of the spectrum!

  Just a couple of observations I want to make folks.  This is a game of D&D in a world called Greyhawk, it is not a commentary on what is politically correct on modern day earth.  A very different environment with very different attitudes.

  Kari made a comment "I'm positive it's against the law to break into a building that isn't yours..."  Kari has never been to Greyhawk and has no idea what the local laws are.

  Taya had never met a paladin before, so she wondered how Jorda would justify this.
  Jorda has not introduced herself as a Paladin, you don't know that for sure and if you have never met one before why would you think she needs to justify anything?

  I am not trying to embarrass or criticize specific players, these are just a couple of recent examples of what appear to be 21st Century thinking intruding in a world of violence and magic.  Where there can be a very distinct line between good and evil (and Paladins can detect evil)

  Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying the role playing aspects of what you guys are doing, I just don't want to see people letting modern day attitudes impinge on the fantasy stuff too much.  Greyhawk is far from lawless but that doesn't mean some of the locals wont try and slit your throat for a few coppers either.

  Plus you are in a mission!  There are X points and treasure to be had!

Thanks boss! Do we see a lock on the door or is this a brute force entry?

Finnian will arrive ahead of the main group and I was waiting to see if Inaya has time to post but I will post again later today.  No obvious lock on the door.

Once I get a statement of intent from everyone we will roll initiative to deal with the first encounter but first i need to know what everyone is doing when they enter the warehouse, something like what Treakle or Salochin is fine.

In reply to Hand of Destiny (msg # 304):

I intend to go in and bash heads!

Let me rephrase, an (In Character) declaration, like Treakle and Salochin did.  Which direction are you going, looking for a head to bash :)

In reply to Hand of Destiny (msg # 306):

Lololol, Oh!

Good points...I just edited my last post a little based on that.

I do want to say though:   I was once in a game where the GM's npc was leading the party.   The npc always knew the right thing to do; whereas the players were always wrong.    The npc would then laugh and rub our noses in it.   I don't think it was because we were all stupid, but rather because the GM enjoyed doing that.

I understand GMs want to have fun too, and you've done a good job RPing Jorda.  As long as we've still got freewill, and can make our own choices.  People are wrong, sometimes.    It's inevitable.   And human.   It should apply to npcs once in a while too, even though the GM knows exactly what will happen.

I don't want to run Jorda as the leader of the party but more as the moral compass.  Basically if she is prepared to do something, like this attack on the warehouse, then she believes what she is doing is compatible with her code as a Paladin (of which you are not really aware of yet but the way she speaks and her attitude should be giving people some clues now).  I am hoping over time a leadership group will naturally arise within the party, possibly alternating depending on circumstances.   We are only at the very beginning with everyone getting used to each other.

Cool beans -  moral compass is good.  From an RP angle, I do like having a paladin with us.   It's always fun to have one in the mix.

Ah, the old ... Form, Storm, Norm, Perform.

Wherein a group gets together, works out the kinks, settles into roles ... and then gets to work!  :)

Based on what's been posted I have moved people in the directions posted, just waiting to see what the last group of 4 in the doorway are doing.  Jorda is moving toward the base of the stairs.

I totally get what you're saying.

But...

It was more a moral compass sort of comment/question to get a feel for if the others were willing to truly get their hands dirty without question.  Thieves are called thieves because what they do, is more often than not considered at best a grey area of the law and at worst against the law.  Kari, being Kari, and knowing prejudices against Half-Orcs is a thing will always assume that people will look at him with the worst of eyes till they show him differently.  So he assumes anything legally grey feeling is probably against the law and understands if he does it he could get in trouble with it.

You've done a great job with the RP on that character --  my first instinct was to agree with Kari, but the GM had a good point about setting context.   At least for those of us not used to a lifetime of persecution & suspicion.

It's all good folks, I just wanted to put that out there so everyone is a bit more aware when posting not you look at everything through a 21st century earth set of eyes.

I don't know if it's just me, but the Rpol site has been hard to access tonight. I hope it's only temporary.

I have had a few hiccups just now as well but I think its back to normal?  Updating map now just waiting on Finnian

Finnian posted this morning that he was headed under the stairs to check for traps.

Sorry I missed that.

Ok someone roll Initiative

Phooey.  :(

22:06, Today: Taya rolled 1 using 1d6.  initiative.

I will use the Initiative Roll (IC)

I am trying to decide on a realistic scale for this map, 1 square = 5 foot or 10 foot?  What do you guys think?

I think the horse stalls would be too large if each square was 10 feet.  I think 5 foot square would be better.

In reply to Finnian (msg # 322):

Thats the way I was leaning for the same reason

I agree, 5 feet is about right.

The rats on the map, is that an abstraction or the actual number?  :-o

In reply to Taya (msg # 325):

I haven't decided yet but there are at least 4 that you can see attacking, there could be more among the mouldy straw or hidden in the horse stalls :)

I love the specifics of a DM!

There are no "apparent" traps.

The path "seems" to be empty.

You "See" 4 rats.

Ok i think we are waiting on actions from Kari, Inaya, Birahu and Menion, I think everyone else has reacted/attacked?

Why presume the person peeking from the top of the stairs is a bad guy? :)

Dead men tell no tales so clearly a bad guy now after those killer rolls...

At least until they can be identified, lol.

Wait, am I picking up that there's weapons specialization in this game? If so, is that open to multi class fighters?

Yes, specialization for all fighters.  No one has taken longsword either.

Somehow missed it.  It's not a 1E PHB rule.

I don't use longsword, I've got a scimitar.

I never did list my fourth weapon (I forgot to), technically I've still got a slot.   (assuming the GM won't hold me for being late)

Is it just +1 to hit?    Not the massive +2/+3 3/2 of UA rules, right?

You have a proficiency spot available for specialization which you will now have to train for as you did not choose any specialization when you created your character (there was a discussion earlier about specialization). It is as per UA +1 to hit, +2 damage and you can double specialize (+3/+3) as per UA

Okay - can't expect to change mid game, and RPing the training should be sort of fun.

Tomorrow I have cataract surgery and depending on how well I can see I may be offline for 24 hours.  If so, I would ask the GM to NPC me if a response is needed.

In reply to Finnian (msg # 336):

Good luck, my roommate gets shots in his eyeballs every 4 to 8 weeks depending on the eye, just seems wrong.

Hope you get back your 20:20 vision!
This message was last edited by the player at 20:07, Tue 02 Feb 2021.

I never really liked double specialization myself as a DM it imop really overpowers the player
but I spent a slot and took spec in long sword
This message was last edited by the player at 20:06, Tue 02 Feb 2021.

I've found that double spec'ing tends to make the player overconfident and try to bite on more than they can chew because they see the big +3/+3 and then the rest of the character can't support it against the checks it tries to write.

That depends on the other capabilities of the character. ;)

Lol, that is also true.

I mean, add a 18+ strength, good dexterity, the right weapon, that +3/+3 really turns into something.

In reply to Treakle (msg # 342):

Just a luckless wizard with a 15 intelligence, must find a way to raise it to 17 or 18 so I can get the top level spells.

Certainly.  Roll really well and have some good kit and you've got a lot of options.

A wish spell works too.

In reply to Treakle (msg # 345):

That takes luck or a lot of money, finding a wish, or paying for one. ;-)

Or a benevolent DM who lets you find the exact weapon you use and it has a wish spell, or two, imbued in it.

In reply to Treakle (msg # 347):

;-) sounds good!

I always thought specialization was a little much, with the extra attacks.  It seems like the bonuses or the extra swings might be enough.   Naturally, I'm still happy to take it when available.

Well at low levels when you still miss more often than hit that extra chance helps the survivability.  Then as you go up in levels the extra swing/swings only helps so much and it's the Cleric and Wizard that are ruling the day.

And really...

So what if fighters get spec and double spec at 1st level?  Wizards get sleep that is no save at 1st level and explicitly has one hit slays of your enemy.  Only protection from it was being 5th level (or 4th if you were a Ranger...or you had elf blood to some degree) and it simply didn’t affect you.  ;-P

If Kari didn’t dislike wizards much before now he’s certainly getting in towards a more Barbarian dislike of magic being put to sleep in just as many days...

In reply to Kari (msg # 351):

Birahu doesn't have that spell, it is very good!

I feel your pain!

I got a lucky resistance roll against sleep back there.   It can be a killer, when the party's on the receiving end.

However starting with just a single spell, unable to wear armor, I think first edition magic-users deserve something like that.

Though I often play casters of some sort, I'd be the last to say they should dominate the game.  Classic medieval fantasy tends to focus more on the courageous hero who doesn't have much magic.   And, AD&D is classic medieval fantasy.

Just waiting in Osric and Taya (this Taya's second round without posting)

I survived the surgery but I can't see the maps and I've magnified thd screen to a couple of words per scdeen.  I've noted my character is down and will try to keep up until I can comfortablu post.

In reply to Finnian (msg # 355):

Hope it clears up for you soon Fin.

Here's to a quick recovery Finnian.

From me as well. Time to go to the optometrist but in my case, I believe it will be less traumatic.

In reply to Kinza (msg # 358):

Same for me, been more than a year since I had my eyes checked.

Full disclosure, I never wore glasses until a few years back. Can't see anything close up anymore. I average destroying two sets a year so I'm overdue to get a couple of new pairs and wearing an older, scratched pair I got from one of those storefront places. Need a real set and then a couple I can get beat up at work, etc. Might get one good set and take the Rx to one of those online places, can't be worse than the last trip to one of those retail eyewear junk dealers.

Warby Parker's glasses are very durable and if you get your prescription, Zenni optical is a nice cheaper place to get back-ups :)

In reply to Thud (msg # 361):

I generally get my readers at Dollar General. They work and I'm poor, disability doesn't pay for glasses.

In reply to Birahu (msg # 362):

I wear contacts but still need reading glasses and Dollar Tree has good reading glasses for $1

I'm nearsighted, my reading vision still holding strong.    I only need'em for driving.

I'm the other way 'round. Couldn't drive in glasses if you had a gun to my head! I used cheap glasses for several years but developed a slight astigmatism in one eye so now the cheaters give me a headache after half an hour  or so and just not really an option while doing reports that can take all day at times. Great advice, though! Thanks all.

Looking over the combat, may be Kinza should just get out of Inaya's way or let her roll the dice for him.

The mezzanine level of the warehouse is enclosed, no windows so Kinza cannot see the people in the room unless you go through the doorway.

And I meant to answer Menion's question earlier, there are no windows into the warehouse apart from a few slits up high in the walls to let some light in and allow some air circulation.  When Kari closed the doors the warehouse got dark but not enough to blind anyone without infravision.

Depending on what Osric does this round there is a potential bottleneck at the top of the stairs with Birahu and Taya (and everyone else coming up the stairs behind them) needing to get past Osric so as to enter the room

Please make way for a cleric. Please :)

WEE-OOO WEE-OOO

Here comes the ambulance!

That was such an awesome post Salochin! Right up until the dice roll!

He'll yell at you next round too. :)

You bought me another round of life :)

Agreed, as one cleric to another, that was very well RPed.

Thanks.  The mechanics will always be the same of course, but I've always felt that clerics of different faiths should have their own spin on how their effects take shape.

I imagine that a cure light wounds from who bears the black lotus of Our Lady in Twilight would look very different.

There is no-one for Inaya to shoot at and to get to the nearest enemy she can use her scimitar on she has to go up the stairs and past Thud's wretched body.  Also need to know what Birahu and Taya are doing on the stairs.

In reply to Hand of Destiny (msg # 376):

I passed through into the room if I could, join the fray, kick a sleeper awake.

1,000 posts! w00tttt!
This message was last edited by the player at 14:24, Sat 06 Feb 2021.

So did I wake to Birahu's kick only to fall right back to sleep because of the sleep spell?  That's kinda the impression I'm getting.

There is precedent for such a thing. :)

https://youtu.be/_V4RtsQMaRM

Ah the good old days from my childhood watching those re-runs. :)

My childhood had Leave it to Beaver and Dennis the Menace.

Ahh --  my thing is the old Rod Serling Twilight Zone.   And, on the topic of Twilight...



For sure.   I've played more clerics than anything;  mythology's kind of my thing, (even pseudo mythology, like this) so I never get sick of it.   Each one is approached very differently, depending on the faith.

Last post also a good one:  "Rise, ya bastard, rise!!"

Guessing Kari will be well-rested after this fight. We may have to go start another one so he can get his licks in.

Unbelievably rested to be sure.  He'll have lots of energy to burn at the later event that we bargained to do in exchange for this location.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:01, Sun 07 Feb 2021.

Thud will go to the second fight, assuming he is patched up all the way. :)