5e Middle Earth Adventures (Inactive)

Game Master Therenger

You are quite welcome.

And congratulations. =)

Mmmmrmph. Thus the problems of taking prisoners!

I have a feeling that killing him now would involve a shadow point in some way, even if it's the most simple solution.

We could keep him always tied up, and I could probably carry him, but he'll probably get away eventually, and then they'll send out larger patrols.

No good solutions here.

I guess we could just say that "Mall watchers him" for a time.

Maybe we can just postpone it until Mal and Cereidh get back from their scouting mission?

To be clear, without the patrol Mal can lead all of you close to the camp to observe Oderic.

Findegil is seeing what the man says himself.

Can you tie the guy to a tree and leave him with some bread and water and promise to come back?

I'll agree to that if it gets the plot going. I'd hate to have a multi-day stand still just because we have no idea what to do with him.

Same. Findegil wants to see if this guy is misled, or a true danger.

Anyone mind if I just cut this guy's bonds, toss him a weapon, and we roll initiative?

We all can attack, too, same as we were doing at the end of the combat.

Yeah, I'm fine with that. The guy has as much told us that he's still on the side of bandits.

I’m with my son at a taekwondo competition then off to my daughter’s gymnastics comp, so I’ll only be able to consult my books later tonight.

First, I need to review his HP situation. Technically he’s at 0 and conscious. I need to figure out a short rest on an NPC

Second, I need to review the list of misdeeds awarding shadow points based on those HP. If it’s one sided, I imagine there will be shadow points. Even if it’s a fair fight, maybe even then too. And would apply to anyone who doesn’t attempt to stop it. I can’t remember them enough to know more than I need to review them.

Please feel free to read that section of the rules, offer your interpretation. It’s one of the things that is very different than 5e and alignments. It’s inherently a good campaign fighting against the evil of the shadow.

Cheers

After reading p182 of the player's handbook, I think at least one shadow point would be likely.

Even offering him a one-on-one duel isn't exactly fair, given PC ability.

We can tie him up and drag him back for judgement by those the bandits have harmed.

Thoughts?

Alright. Tieing up it is!

Since Mal and at least one PC are going scouting next, (yeah? That's the impression I got) then for now the party can just watch him until Mal & co. get back.

2 questions.

First, DO we all want to go? I figure that with all of us along, we have a chance of just grabbing him and running--which is probably the best shot we've got.

2nd, did we take a short rest? I'm in favor of this, but I just want to be sure.

three things.

3rd, I know what to do with our friend when we leave him alone. =3

1. I strongly recommend that we all go. At least to within sight of the camp. If things go wrong for the scouts, that's it for them without backup.

2. I think what we've done counts, but I'd too like confirmation.

3. Findegil aims to take him back with us, assuming we aren't "tactically withdrawing".

Yes, go ahead and take a short rest game mechanic

Sorry about disappearing for a week! I was on a trip with an unreliable internet connection. Happy to be back, though.

Welcome back!

Whoops realized it's better to ask this here.

So the impression I'm getting is that the Company's objective is to return Oderic to Beorn for judgment. I assume that's going to take a Journey. Do y'all want me to act as Guide?

Yes, and I'm fine with that!

Good stuff. DM, is this a Journey?

Not really. I've been moving the campaign along.

Although, I'll add you the Guide role Amalina when it comes up.

So no Embarkation roll is required?

I'll let you know

I think Secrets Gleaned is intended to be used to gain advantage on rolls where a character may already have some familiarity with the subject, so Lore and Traditions fit. I don't think it is used to persuade or intimidate but could use a GM ruling on that.

As an example, if you know something about the history of Dale you may gain advantage to recall (Traditions) the order of succession and get insight about Valters motivations.

A heads up. I won't be available to post at all on Friday, and I likely won't have much availability until Sunday evening or Monday evening.

DM - couple quick cleanup items I would appreciate your ruling on. These things could help Hobwise in the battle now. From previous posts:

He also looked for Hagweed as they trudged along the lowland swamps, and more Reedmace among the tall grasses near the river banks.

Survival for hunting & gathering: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Perception for finding herbs in the wild: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Hobwise feels inspired by Thorgrim's brave words. Not only does he speak bravely, but with calm confidence. Surely, no army Valter can muster is a match for this force of skilled warriors.

"Though I have never released an arrow in anger, I would be proud to stand with you in this just and good fight."

Can Hobwise be allowed either of the herbs while foraging, and get a point of Inspiration?

Also, I see from previous posts that some players are deferring initiative to you and others are rolling it for themselves. I tend to agree that having DM roll all init speeds up that process.

Not that I'm complaining, but I may have expected a bit more in the lead up to such a momentous battle.

Like, all the soldiers were put under the command of someone, but we haven't learned his name. I find, for me, that sprinkling in the names of important NPCs, with a brief description, helps tie scenes together and lends weight to whatever is going.

Jus' sayin'. =)

I'm not a great GM. I run prepared material. I could say that it's because I've very limited time, but I've never been a great GM over my almost 40 year gaming career. Don't get me wrong. I've accepted it and am not offended.

The only good things that I provide are 1) a bare bones game, 2) fair game mechanics, and 3) pace. Believe me, I currently play and have played with awesome GMs who provide color and description waxing poetic, which I genuinely enjoy, too. So, I appreciate awesome GMing. But, my capacity for that is very limited.

So, I originally recruited for this game to rotate GMs, because I wanted to play in 5e Middle Earth. But, there were no games. Fortunately, ElegantlyWasted (Jaunter) who is an awesome GM has offered to take over soon. I've asked to finish this battle and the trial of Oderic on Carrock. So, hang on. Better GMing is coming.

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As for Inspiration @Hobwise, here are the rules "Typically, DMs award it when you play out your personality traits, give in to the drawbacks presented by a flaw or bond, and otherwise portray your character in a compelling way." So, it's about how you play/post your character and not about being inspired by other characters. But, your point is well taken. Let's award Inspiration for these posts:
* Amalina
* Thorgrim
* Hobwise
* Jaunter

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

As for herbs @Hobwise, I'm going to say Hobwise was not successful in finding Hagweed and Reedmace, for two reasons: geography and time. You were forced marching (think of Aragorn, Legolas & Gimli's pursuit of Merry & Pippin) and had no time to look. And two, Hagweed is found in marshes and Reedmace is found near the Long Lake (so stillish water). So, you're not near those two flora. Now, if you travel south to Gladden Fields where there is marsh, you have a better chance. OK?

cheers

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Oh and Initiative. I do block initiatives. I only ask for players to roll initiative if you have surprise. So, I can make the blocks for the first round.

Fair enough - I appreciate the campaign and the opportunity to play!

Aye, and much gratitude towards DM Jubal for keeping this going in the first place!

Appreciation to DM Jubal here too!

Something that may interest ye: Cubicle 7 are looking for writers! Applications by April 28th if you're interested.

*blinks*

Thank you so much for pointing that my way. I'm absolutely going to check that out.

You're very welcome!

DM Jubal - I need a little help with combat rules. In the first round, Hobwise failed to Hide, but as you well know, Unobtrusive trait attempts to Hide behind another character. My AC is 14 and you rolled a 14 to hit against me, which would have been enough. Did you give me half cover and +2 AC? I think that would have been right, but don't want to assume. If not, I have no complaints about taking damage retroactively.

I made two mistakes.
1. I thought that you successfully hid, so you dropped an archer with your sneak attack damage
2. I thought your HP was your AC

So, let’s leave the damage done to the dead archer. Would you please use the Edit function to clarify future posts.

And thanks for taking the damage from the bandit archer.

Clearer?

Thanks

Sneak attack damage was for targeting an opponent in melee. I don't think that happened in round one. I'm still getting the feel for how combat is run in this campaign but I trust you'll make any adjustments to dice given the immediate tactical situation. I'm pretty excited to be paying so I'll probably post early most of the time, without knowing my place in initiative or where the enemy is before I pull the trigger.

I might contend that even a failed attempt to Hide using unobtrusive at least puts another character between me and the enemy, which counts as half cover and +2 AC. That seems like a fair tradeoff in 5E for the penalty to speed for small-size characters. Nevertheless, I defer to your judgment.

How much damage do I take?

And re: the Edit function, is it just me or does it time-out for everyone after an hour? Is there a setting somewhere?

That’s universal, unfortunately. Unless you catch it within a certain time the post locks.

Almost 2 weeks since Anar's last post. Bot for combat expediency?

Oooo! Is that all we're waiting on? Yeah, he posts so rarely I can't imagine him being mad.

Yea us for posting swiftness!

Posting win.

Sorry for the delay. RL game last night. Finally finished Princes of the Apocalypse with the mega boss fight. 33 HP from TPK

Nice!

It looks like Paizo just declared war on Hobwise. All of his posts have been eaten.

I'm sure once he contacts customer service everything will return to normal and nothing bad will happen again ever. =)

Thanks Thorgrim! Yes, due to a "little hiccup," my Paizo account, and every trace of my activity, was accidentally deleted. My posts have been restored but my character profile is still missing almost everything. I remember enough to wing it and hopefully that detail will come back.

Anar, buddy?

You okay?

You wanna do some class stuff? Like hand out Gift dice or something?

In case anyone is interested, Assassin's Creed Unity is available for FREE to download from Ubisoft this week. That's the one that takes place in Notre Dame.

A tough break, Hobwise!

And thanks for the heads up.

Thorgrim, don't forget you have an automatic hit in your back pocket from Findegil.

Apologies friends, work was nuts; implemented a new software and that took up a huge chunk of my last week. Do I have an action right now or was that botted?

A couple archers are still alive. Don't see that you've been botted yet this round.