I'll try to post for the ghoul shortly after I get home. Leaving work now. (Yay!)
"Shortly after I get home" ended up being "last thing before I go to bed."
This whole life thing keeps getting in my way too =)
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Just as a heads up, my mom is coming to visit this weekend (well, let's be honest: She's coming to visit her granddaughter. I her father just happen to live in the same house ^_^).
So I'll probably be able to post at some point, but I can't guarantee it.
Thanks!
Next week I'll be traveling for work. Don't know how it might effect my posting.
Thanks for the heads up!
Are the kobolds currently Flat Footed?
No, they technically heard evidence of y'all when you were in the larger cavern. Their leader had to remind them again to shut up as y'all were approaching, and she'd readied an action to shoot the first thing that came around the corner. The kobolds are standing defensively, ready to attack, but looking scared or nervous.
btw, after this battle, you all get to level up!
Yesssss!
I know that Kane has lots going on IRL, so I'm worried he won't post in the next little bit. I'll petition for him to try to at least move to and threaten the non-leader kobold with his action if you need to proxy it. I tried to give him incentive to do so with the shout at the end of my turn.
Mostly I want to see some badass sneak attacks from Sheridan.
Yeah I'll bot him in a little bit. I meant to give everyone the heads up that this weekend was my daughter's birthday and so we had a lot going on... but anyway, I'm back.
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I am sooooooooo sorry for going dark like that, everyone. I did not mean to, but the circumstances were... extenuating.
And by that, I mean asinine. It's a long, stupid story, but I will do my best to keep it brief.
Baby sis just falls out of nowhere and clonks he head, but good. Baby sis has coumadin (blood thinner), so we take her immediately to the ER because, you know, thin blood +head trauma = bad sh*t. We suspect it might have been a seizure. Doctors at the ER go "Naaaaaah, it's probably fine, just send her back home for some bed rest!" and discharge her. Her doctors in Philly catch wind of this, call up her local doctors, and rightly go "WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL DID YOU DO!? GET HER IN A HOSPITAL NOW!!!" Baby sis is hospitalized for a few days, while they scramble to figure out what's wrong with her without admitting they royally screwed up. And denying any and all possibility that it could've been a seizure like we suspected.
And then, two of my coworkers just kinda up and vanished for half the week, leaving me to handle a good deal of work that would normally be covered by three people all by myself...
So... that's the whole affair in a very brief nutshell. And I sincerely apologize for going dark like that. I really hate to do that, especially without any kind of warning, but, as you can no doubt guess... that was just a little terrifying.
I should be back in action.
Dude, no apologies necessary at all! I can only imagine how terrifying that has to be.
Man, humans are the worst sometimes!
Glad to know you are still playing!
Hope everything IRL plays out positively.
Good to have you back. Hope your sis comes out on top.
We're getting to that time of year when we obviously can't expect everyone to post every day. So between now and early next week, you don't have to worry about posting unless you actually have the time. I would much rather someone spend some time with family than be on here.
Sounds good. Hopefully everyone will have a lovely weekend, and if you're traveling, travel safe!
@Stone, if you would rather use your turn yourself, that is fine as well. I'd hate to take away anyone's choices.
So if you don't want to be standing with your weapon in hand, feel free to ret-con your botted turn.
That’s okay. I needed to stand up so I am not a sitting duck. The post that got eaten though would have been the channel. I would have still been up and could have used my inspiring word to give people +2’s. It’s crazy how one move can make a big difference.
I’m loving this game. I hope we regain momentum after the break.
Never mind I found it:
As a standard action, you can speak an inspiring word to a creature within 30 feet. That creature receives a +2 morale bonus on attack rolls, skill checks, ability checks, and saving throws for a number of rounds equal to 1/2 your cleric level (minimum 1). You can use this power a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier.
The combat is over, which means you all get to LEVEL UP!
For leveling up, please make a post here in the discussion thread detailing the things that you gain for your new level and make your HP rolls.
Remember to update all of your saves, perception, initiative and HP totals in the stat tracker on the maps link. I will always just grab the roll generators there when you need saves, and I leave it up to the players to make sure those are correct and up to date.
Unchained Rogue, Level 2
Favored Class Bonus: +1 hp
HP:
BAB: +1 CMb: +2 CMD: 15
Reflex Save +3
Evasion
Rogue Talent: Positioning Attack
+9 Skill points:
Intimidate(2) +8
Use Magic Device(2) +8
Per Dance(2) +8
Diplomacy(1) +7
Disguise(1) +7
Acrobatics(2) +6
Disable Device(2) +6
Stealth(2) +6
Perception(2) +5
Climb(2) +4
Just as a heads up I'll get this leveling done probably this evening. I hit a busy stretch this week, but I'm still about.
Just as a heads up I'll get this leveling done probably this evening. I hit a busy stretch this week, but I'm still about.
Cool beans!
Thanks for the heads up :)
Working on the update.
Dragons Demand
Human cleric of Ragathiel 2
NG Medium humanoid (human)
Init +2; Senses Perception +7
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Defense
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AC 16, touch 12, flat-footed 14 (+4 armor, +2 Dex)
hp 18 (2d8+4)
Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +5
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft.
Melee bastard sword +3 (1d10+3/19-20) or
cestus +3 (1d4+2/19-20)
Ranged light crossbow +3 (1d8/19-20)
Special Attacks revenge/vengeance variant channeling 4/day (DC 12, 1d6 plus 1 channel bonus)
Domain Spell-Like Abilities (CL 2nd; concentration +4)
5/day—inspiring word (1 round), rebuke death (1d4+1)
Cleric Spells Prepared (CL 2nd; concentration +4)
1st—bless, divine favor[D], magic weapon, shield of faith
0 (at will)—create water, detect magic, guidance, light
D Domain spell; Domains Healing, Nobility (Martyr[APG] subdomain)
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Statistics
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Str 15, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 13
Base Atk +1; CMB +3; CMD 15
Feats Combat Casting, Selective Channeling
Traits armor expert, eyes and ears of the city
Skills Diplomacy +5, Heal +6, Knowledge (arcana) +5, Knowledge (history) +5, Knowledge (religion) +5, Perception +7, Sense Motive +6, Spellcraft +5
Languages Celestial, Common
Combat Gear oil; Other Gear lamellar (leather) armor[UC], bastard sword, cestus[APG], light crossbow, backpack, bedroll, belt pouch, brush, shaving (0.1 lb), candle (10), cup, shaving (0.2 lb), flint and steel, holy text[UE], ink, inkpen, mess kit[UE], mirror, parchment (2), sack, shaving powder (one shave) (0.01 lb) (50), soap, spell component pouch, straight razor (0.2 lb), torch (5), trail rations (5), waterskin, whetstone, wooden holy symbol
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Special Abilities
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Cleric Domain (Healing) Granted Powers: Your touch staves off pain and death, and your healing magic is particularly vital and potent.
Cleric Domain (Martyr)
Combat Casting +4 to Concentration checks to cast while on the defensive.
Inspiring Word (5/day) (Sp) Target receives +2 on attack, skill checks, ability checks and saving throws for 1 rds.
Rebuke Death (5/day) (Sp) As a standard action, touch heals 1d4+1 dam to negative HP target.
Revenge/Vengeance Variant Channeling (±1 Sacred) Standard channel/attack penalty
Revenge/Vengeance Variant Channeling 1d6 plus 1 channel bonus (4/day, DC 12) (Su) Positive energy heals the living and harms the undead; negative has the reverse effect.
Selective Channeling Exclude targets from the area of your Channel Energy.
Favored Class bonus: Reduce chance of misfire on Muskets (2/4)
Nimble +1 (Ex)
Starting at 2nd level, a gunslinger gains a +1 dodge bonus to AC while wearing light or no armor. Anything that causes the gunslinger to lose her Dexterity bonus to AC also causes the gunslinger to lose this dodge bonus. This bonus increases by +1 for every four levels beyond 2nd level (to a maximum of +5 at 20th level).
Skills:
Acrobatics: +7 (1)
Climb: +4 (1)
Craft: Alchemy +5 (+7 to craft) (1)
Knowledge: Engineering +5 (1)
Knowledge: Nature +2 (1)
Perception +8 (2)
Stealth +9 (2)
Survival +7 (1)
Trying to take some skills that would have been used there to some degree.
*Edit* The stat sheet is updated with current saves, perception, HP, and AC.
You get to re-roll ones for hp? Or is that just an old house rule I remember?
I'd take it if offered, but I think that's a house rule.
Yantri, feel free to re-roll your hp roll. Keep the result, even if you get a 1 again.
Everyone, on the player handouts link (top of page) you'll find the map of the dungeon and caves "drawn by Kane."
... there was something else I was going to say... but it ran away from my memory... oh well
I remembered!
This group will need to decide how it wants to handle party loot. I've corrected a few (of my own) mistakes (formulas) on the loot sheet and will answer questions about it if necessary, but I'm going to leave it up to you to keep up with what you find, who takes what, etc.
Treasure will always sell for the value I tell you it has.
Coins (money) will be listed each time it's found in K, but lumped together as available wealth for the party.
You'll need to decide if you want to simply do even distributions (entered as 'purchases' in the red column) of all gold found and proceeds from sales, or something else.
(Our party for a campaign I'm in decided that, for armor/weapons/items, loot should go to 'whoever can best utilize it or needs it the most', and all wealth is evenly distributed. Then, if someone is a little short on what they need to buy something they've been working towards, they can ask the group for a little extra. But that's just us. You need to work out what you want to do).
I'm definitely all for the items going to whoever would make the best use of them. For the treasure I'm happy to use whatever system others like. As long as we're all working towards the same goals I don't even care overly if we're all getting the same distributions at the same times. We'll all get the treasure over time, so I'm not too worried about it. It's a shame that the masterwork equipment there was all small though, yet none of us are.
Oh yeah, and that HP reroll.
Just a bit better that time.
I wrote that detail hastily. The mwk shortbow is usable by anyone (hopefully with proficiency, it is martial). It would deal 1d6 damage for medium creatures instead of the 1d4 for smaller. Based on the image for Sesserak, the shortbow is at least 3/4 her height, probably more.
The armor is meant for a small creature, however. Though it could still be sold.
Nice roll!
Re: Shopping and resources
Count me in for distributing equipment to those who can best use it, especially when we find things mid-mission.
That said, Sheridan isn't really going to use the daggers much, so I would count them as treasure, since they're almost a third of the loot.
Stuff I have my eye on:
Wand of Mage Armor - 750gp (My UMD is still a little low for wands)
Mithral Chain Shirt - 1100gp (really expensive, and the benefits aren't huge)
Another Sap - 1gp (won't really matter until level 3)
MWK Thieves' Tools - 100gp
I'm not terribly experienced with equipment, so any recommendations y'all have are welcome.
So everyone knows, our new player is aware they need to post. They recently landed after a long flight and jet lag is doing its thing. He told me he'll try to post soon.
This is not a party dynamic that I'm interested in. It can either change or I'm done. I'm here to have fun solving challenges presented by the module, not to have a fellow PC be a source of a large recurring part of the conflict. If that's my expectations being out of line then it's better I step away now and allow everyone else to have fun.
It was following along a running theme (three such excerpts of the game), not designed to upset you personally as a player:
*Yantri frowns at Stone's suggestion. "We certainly do not take them to the authorities back in that city. I'm not bringing anyone back to be locked away, and from all I've seen that's the first response those guards come up with. The tour through this tower basement makes it clear that's a long standing tradition."
*Seeing a worried look both Sheridan's and Yantri's faces, she quickly adds, "Do not worry. Just hear me out."
*At Arnholde's approach Yantri's grows visibly nervous until the object of his attention becomes clear. "This is a seal that we found in a room in the basement of the tower that appeared to be devoted to the prolonged torture of the resident of the cells.
Your character expressed a lot of worry and disgust about what she saw throuought the crawl and then when the barons son made the comment and Yantri brought up the torture of the populace again. The cleric thinks:
The Baroness is not related with what was under the tower.
Those events happened a long time ago.
Finding out the story would put Yantri at ease.
Again, not meant as an attack on the player.
My perception as a player is that Yantri was being played as a developing character that had been sheltered and was exploring and learning a wider world. Yantri also described as scowling or frowning a lot and made comments early on that led the reader to get the feeling she was self conscious of her scars, etc. I took that all to be good and interesting RPGing of the character.
The cleric has actually remained quiet at times to avoid upsetting Yantri, like not correcting her when she says “Barnessdom” despite hearing more proper titles.
It is almost impossible to project tone through text, but I am not trying to make any RPGing a personal attack or disrupt your, or anyone else’s fun.
RP is all well and good. I enjoy RP where we're supporting each other stories and building collaboratively. There can even be some conflict in views and actions, we can have a discussion, and I wouldn't want everyone to agree with what Yantri says just to be nice, but I take issue with appealing to an NPC to set a fellow PC straight on an issue that you'd like to win a point on by misrepresenting the stance they were taking. If you either don't think that's an issue or can't see that's what your character comes across as doing then it's likely that we're not going to be compatible players at the table.
Please tell me the issue that is bothering you. Was it the conversation about the humans in the village? Is it the drawing a contrast between a sheltered country dweller vs someone who has patrolled the streets and sewers of a major city? My character has tried to even encourage Yantri at times I am not sure you noticed.
Let me know and I will try to change it. The cleric is a character in a story, not a person, and not me.
Some of it is alignment and game mechanics, he is a Cleric of a LG God. He is supposed to support the rightful authorities and destroy threats to those weak and unable to defend themselves. Try rereading some of it as though old Obiwan Kenobe is talking to Luke. Maybe it will sound different? I don’t know.
Like this one:
“I wish more thought of others as you do. We would have a lot less conflict in this world. Reavers would lay down their arms and farmers could simply keep farming in a world without city walls or prison cells.”
His tone is wishful.
”That things on earth would be as they are in heaven and that the devil himself was not at war with all lesser sentient beings which is what sparked the war in the first place when he killed his own brother whom created us.”
Was it this?
*Yantri raises an eyebrow. "Are you trying to say that someone other than the humans here built those chambers and used them for the atrocities that were committed there?
Of course humans built it, but is Yantri suggesting all the villagers were complacent with the activities there?
I just took it as your character is gruff and often contradictory and you were playing it up that you were learning human dynamics.
Often times I write something conciliatory and ad things like “The cleric says kindly” or actually says “you might think I am being condescending” in an effort to clarify his tone, but then Yantri responds gruffly and I took that to just be RPGing a dwarf character.
Again no personal player to player conflict intended.
Try reading the cleric differently and I will try to be more descriptive to communicate tone and intent.
I'll need to get back to this tomorrow evening or so as I've got grading deadlines tomorrow afternoon that I need to spend my current time on and there's a fair amount that could be unpacked here.
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I haven't quite read everything yet, but I hope we are able to resolve it. This my favorite table of any table/campaign I'm involved in, whether PC or GM; PbP or IRL.
Please tell me the issue that is bothering you. Was it the conversation about the humans in the village? Is it the drawing a contrast between a sheltered country dweller vs someone who has patrolled the streets and sewers of a major city?
I did just tell you the immediate issue, but I’ll do it again. Here’s what Stone’s just said to the Baroness.
“My Lady, if I might be so bold as to ask you to tell Yantri, but a bit of this regions history. She is from quite far away and is newer to large human settlements. She is under the belief that the community built the holding and torture facilities under the Witch Tower to use on itself.”
”The evidence I saw below leads me to believe there was a successful uprising and those in power did not retake and resume their activities below.”
”I think it would help encourage cooperation and prevent future misunderstandings.”
What you’re doing there is calling out a fellow PC as uniformed and asking the person with the most authority in area teach them that your point of view is the correct one. You’re making it clear that if Yantri would just listen to you about these things we’d be able to cooperate more readily as a group and there wouldn’t be any of the sorts of misunderstanding we must have had leading up to this point. It’s undermining Yantri’s competence in the eyes of those around her and asserting that you should be the acknowledged expert on how things work.
That’s a rude way to treat a fellow player. Again, if you can’t see that or at least acknowledge that it might be taken that way then ours is not a table dynamic which is going to work.
It’s worse than that in the context of the situation though.
That you’re using it as the very next post after our characters had been disagreeing about this certainly makes it seem like you need to have the last word in this rather than moving the story along. That you’re ignoring that Yantri’s point that not everyone of the same race should be pigeonholed into the same motivations and putting a ridiculous spin on what she believes makes it seem like you’re doing this just to make her look foolish. She’s clearly aware that the basement is hundreds of years old and that the dungeon hasn’t been in use in a very long time. There’s no way that she’d think the current townsfolk are the one’s doing the torture, and again, to spin it that way would be as ridiculous as Yantri saying that you thought the kobolds had done the torturing when you didn’t come out and deny that they did.
My character has tried to even encourage Yantri at times I am not sure you noticed.
Let me know and I will try to change it. The cleric is a character in a story, not a person, and not me.
Some of it is alignment and game mechanics, he is a Cleric of a LG God. He is supposed to support the rightful authorities and destroy threats to those weak and unable to defend themselves. Try rereading some of it as though old Obiwan Kenobe is talking to Luke. Maybe it will sound different? I don’t know.
So a couple issues here. First off, if the way you’re coming off is bothering someone the onus isn’t on the person being bothered to change their point of view to see that you mean well. I don’t know that it’s you or Stone, but the assumption has certainly been that any issues that have come up have been because Yantri has misunderstood what you’ve had to say. For example:
”And good work on spotting the dead Kobold at the manor house, I don’t think I offered any criticism about that or your valuable scouting abilities Nor do I recall calling you a savage. I apologized last night for some things, but you are obviously carrying a grudge. I am not shocked you will know things I don’t, I said as much this morning.”
You’re placing the fault for Yantri being displeased with you on her for carrying a grudge rather than examining the possibility that you’ve actually done things which could offend. If your behavior is offending someone then that doesn’t make it the offendee’s fault.
You’re also assuming that there’s any sort of mentoring relationship like that between Obiwan and Luke. Nothing has happened in the story that would have lead to that as of yet, and Yantri’s done nothing to indicate that she’s interested in learning wisdom from you. You’re also assuming that the relationship would look like Stone imparting his wisdom on Yantri rather than him learning from her.
I have indeed noticed that Stone thinks he’s being encouraging to Yantri. She views the words as hollow given that there’s no reason to think that she wasn’t competent at the start, and she’s kept her mouth mostly shut. Just like the times that Stone has asked her to do things that she was obviously going to do anyhow. All of those, despite your assurances that you’re not trying to condescend, do in fact condescend. Saying that a character is being kind doesn’t make them kind if their words and actions don’t match that.
“I wish more thought of others as you do. We would have a lot less conflict in this world. Reavers would lay down their arms and farmers could simply keep farming in a world without city walls or prison cells.”
His tone is wishful.
”That things on earth would be as they are in heaven and that the devil himself was not at war with all lesser sentient beings which is what sparked the war in the first place when he killed his own brother whom created us.”
So this made it clear that Stone viewed Yantri’s opinions on the matter as utopian fantasy that wasn’t grounded in reality in any way. Yantri’s point was that if you see a world where things aren’t to your liking then you should work to change them. It’s not a fantasy, it’s a call to action on the part of those who don’t like things as they are (Yantri certainly qualifies for that, but Stone seems more or less to be complicit with the system as it exists. Part of that is the very individualist nature of Yantri vs. the institutionalized training from Stone, but Stone clearly doesn’t respect Yantri’s world view as feasible here. Which I’m fine with, but is not evidence of Stone showing respect for Yantri.)
Was it this?
*Yantri raises an eyebrow. "Are you trying to say that someone other than the humans here built those chambers and used them for the atrocities that were committed there?Of course humans built it, but is Yantri suggesting all the villagers were complacent with the activities there?
You’re missing the full quote there.
"Are you trying to say that someone other than the humans here built those chambers and used them for the atrocities that were committed there? Certainly human agents make more sense than blaming them on the kobolds that we've encountered here. If you're looking to condemn a people's actions for the events here, which you clearly were moments ago, you'd make a more persuasive case were you to examine the actions involved.
"Or perhaps you think that not all humans should be judged by the actions of the worst of their kind. That would be a reasonable, but you'd do well to give peoples other than your own the benefit of individuality as well."
First off, this is Yantri arguing against Stone’s statement that Kobolds were the cause of Ngai’s death. It was humans; most recently Hunclay and historically the ones who built the dungeon and death traps. It’s clearly true, but not something Stone was able to acknowledge. Second, the important bit for Yantri is that not all member of a species are going to behave identically or have the same motives.
I just took it as your character is gruff and often contradictory and you were playing it up that you were learning human dynamics.
Often times I write something conciliatory and ad things like “The cleric says kindly” or actually says “you might think I am being condescending” in an effort to clarify his tone, but then Yantri responds gruffly and I took that to just be RPGing a dwarf character.
If you’re reading what I’m writing, then you’ll probably notice that Yantri, although frowning and scowling almost never interacts with others in a particularly gruff way. It’s Stone’s interactions that are eliciting the reaction. Other than not being thrilled with Sheridan’s methods of interrogation played out Yantri’s tried to be pleasant and kind with all the other PCs and NPCs we’ve encountered thus far.
I can provide examples if you like, though they’re easy to find should you read the thread. She even started out trying to do this with Stone, but gave it up before long.
With a characteristic frown, she addresses Stone. "Acolyte Stone, I think I believe you. You mean well. I also think that you're tired and could choose your words more tactfully.
"I'm tired. I think that you're tired, Ngai is tired, Sheridan is tired, we're all tired. A good night's sleep is going to do us all some good. This isn't my environment; I'm not going to shine here. You're right, I wasn't raised by any barns and I hope that the ones you were raised by help you feel better about yourself, though that makes as little sense to me as most of this evening has. For now I propose we sleep. Words spoken after rest will likely serve us all better.
"I'm going to stake out a spot by the fire. I think we'll all be better off tomorrow morning, and we can talk again then."
Stone being oblivious to this is fine, it fits with his character as I’ve observed it. For example, here’s a situation and Stone’s reaction to it.
"Here you are dear. Did you sleep down here by the fire? I have a dwarf-sized accommodations; should be the last room of the upstairs hall, right-hand side. Halfling across the hall, not that you'd need that. Well, in any case, you may eat here or at the long table in the middle of the room. I'll be right back with a drink. Water, mead, or my special breakfast ale?"
She begins crossing back to the kitchen and is gone for a few minutes.
When she comes back out, she has Yantri's drink, another plate of bread, and a mug of water. She gives the water and bread to N'gai and then hands Yantri her chosen beverage.
She goes about her normal routine of opening unlocking the door and prepping for the day. As each person comes down, she offers them the honey-drizzled bread, gestures to the long rectangular table in the middle of the room, and asks if would like some water . When Kane comes down, she has prepared bread for him too. He'd already paid for his entire stay, including meals at the inn.
The cleric comes in from outside freshly shaven and smelling of soap.
He greets Talia.
”I failed to lead with a rose last night, but I feel much better after a full nights rest. Hopefully you will find a rough stone hides a diamond, a drab face may hide the heart of a saint. The sunrise was beautiful and full of promise. Thank you for the rescue.”[b]
He happily accepts the offered bread with honey and requests to try her special breakfast ale. Using a knife and fork he takes his time savoring the fresh bread.
He hold up a chunk of bread with golden honey dripping off of it to Yantri.
[b]”In the city liquid gold like this is rare. Honey, one of life’s treasures more easily found in the country. Some of the bakers would use a little in the butter they brushed over the top of their loaves if you could afford afford them. I remember the smell. Only merchants and nobles would have it in this form for a causal meal. This is outstanding.”
This is notable not only as the post where Stone thinks that he’s being charming, but Yantri thinks that she’s receiving an unrequested lecture about honey from someone who’s full of himself, but also where Stone assumes that he’s somehow entitled to the special ale when Talia clearly doesn’t feel that way.
There are more points that I could address (holding your tongue about things that Yantri has said comes to mind as it’s definitely something that’s mutual,) but this is long enough already.
TL;DR: What this boils down to is that Yantri feels a lack of respect from Stone. She’s being treated as someone who’s there to sip from his fount of knowledge when she really has no desire to do so. His basic assumptions that he should be teaching her the ways of the world are offensive to her, especially when he’s doing so in a way that makes her look inept in front of a figure of authority. The apparent assumption that we’d all do just fine if only we were to accept Stone’s wisdom and that any means to impart that are valid just don’t fly with Yantri, and I’m not interested in either changing her character so that she is or having to devote so much time resisting it.
It comes down to a basic level of respect which isn’t being show here despite your assurances that it is. We’re on a forum, so it’s all words, but perhaps action words speak louder than word words? None of this make your play wrong or bad, but it does make it incompatible with the game that I’m interested in playing.
Okay,
@Yantri and @Stone (and @Zorblag / @Darren)
The hard thing about PbP is that it can be difficult to interpret meaning/intent/tone when it comes to text on a page. And so here is my interpretation of what is transpiring and also, what we're going to do about it.
Stone has not once said something with the intent to hurt/offend/cause division.
And yet, his words did just that.
The cleric is very much human; feels a natural superiority, even if it's only subconscious, naturally assumes people would want to know what he has to say on a subject, and speaks flippantly without always thinking about what he's saying or who he's speaking with.
Sometimes he might give compliments that could be interpreted as back-handed, rude, or otherwise not well-thought out.
Yantri, a very interesting character who is experiencing a lot of things for the first time, is obviously going to find it harder to let Stone's sometimes careless words roll off as just the musings of a human. Yantri is a dwarf that chooses her words carefully. Stone is a human who knows what he's trying to say, but hasn't thought it all out before he starts speaking.
THAT BEING SAID
Stone was in the wrong for the words spoken to the baroness, especially as it implied Yantri thought something she hadn't voiced. I remember being confused when I read it.
However, Stone the character, and the player, have both tried to apologize for Stone's offense.
Yantri is in the wrong when it comes to the assumptions made about some of Stone's statements.
When Stone says he wishes more people thought the way she thought, I do not see it at all the way Zorblag sees it (which is the point). I read it and see Stone saying this would be reality if people could simply be kind to one another, valuing sentient life as sacred. And, while Yantri the character feels she's being lectured about honey, I believe Stone was simply making small talk, trying to find common ground with a new ally. Yantri isn't from the city, Stone isn't from the wilderness. He might have even been expecting Yantri to comment on how odd an idea it is to think of honey as rare, or as valuable as a precious metal. (again, that's just the way I read it). Also, I'm pretty sure Stone pays for the ale. Why would he feel entitled to it?
From a character standpoint, Stone's sentences are long, sounding "lecturesome" at times. He also has a military background. He gives honest compliments to Yantri, but speaks without considering how his words might be perceived as Yantri is a different species from a different background. I feel Stone might sometimes forget Yantri is a grown adult female.
Through poor word-choice and/or ignorance by Stone, Yantri felt snubbed/looked-down on from the beginning of their relationship. This causes everything Stone says to taste bitter (...to the ears?) and so everyone's words end up being misconstrued.
You both have made some errors and that's okay. (IRL,) We are all human (I assume).
I like both of you (the players) and your characters. And this table is so much fun with all of you!
Here is what we are going to do:
These characters have known each other for something like 2 days. Stone clearly keeps saying the wrong thing and Yantri keeps hearing the wrong thing. You won't be going to the kobold lair until tomorrow, and it's about mid-afternoon right now. You two are not going to speak with each other the rest of the day, so the characters can cool down, think things through. I'd like you to find a way to RP a solution where they can set things aside or agree to work together, or something. Either in the evening or in the morning.
Regardless, to make the game as fun for everyone, let's allow the dynamic to be one of camaraderie. Stay true to your characters, but let them evolve as they begin to care for their allies and friends. Everyone wants to be understood, as a person. Let's make the effort to understand one another and assume the best of what the other is saying.
My hope is that eventually both of you will save the other's life...and the mutual respect and debt of loyalty will be there.
If you two can agree to this, I'm happy.
Now: to the Gameplay thread I go! (insert classic justice league or other vague cartoon show transition sound!)
Stone has not once said something with the intent to hurt/offend/cause division.
Well except when he did.
After the disappointment at the end of the road and the turn of events the cleric calls after Ngai who starts up the stairs.
”My gosh. One would think there weren’t even any barns where some of you were raised.”
”First off this isn’t a city, you might call it a settlement or a village maybe, but it’s not even a walled town. I am sure the inhabitants want to call it a town.”
”Second, we all have weapons! Get over it. Heck the dwarf is basically carrying a bomb that could go off in her face at any moment and that woman invited us in here FOR FREE and you already screwed that up Ngai. Word of caution if you go into a general store around here there will be weapons. The storekeep isn’t pulling one on you he is trying to sell what he can to feed his family.”
”Third, the man there is obviously studying that axe and making notes. He never brandished anything near you. Unless you think he is going to actually be able to fling it at you with his turkey quill pen?”
”Fourth you’ve got to learn to handle yourself in pulblic. You are 6’ 5” giant and your boyfriend glows in the dark and is part demon. Flipping out acting like you are going to go full orc doesn’t help your cause.”
”And fifth and lastly, I concur wholeheartedly with you sir. They have been both crazy and noisy the whole time.”
In Celestial:”General give me strength to make it through this, is this what you had in mind for me here. A Trial of Patience?”
Thought that one I don't mind. He was playing a character who lost his cool and after calming down did apologize for it.
THAT BEING SAID
Stone was in the wrong for the words spoken to the baroness, especially as it implied Yantri thought something she hadn't voiced. I remember being confused when I read it.However, Stone the character, and the player, have both tried to apologize for Stone's offense.
Stone did attempt to apologize after the words to the Baroness. He apologized to the Baroness for the disturbance, and said that he was misunderstood.
”I apologize for the disruption in your court, your Ladyship. I am misunderstood in this matter. I think the dwarf and I are from different worlds, cultures and upbringings. I also believe that she is passionate and compassionate. I don’t know what horrors she has struggled with in her own life, I don’t pretend to, but she was visibly disturbed by what she saw below and I wish to reassure her that you are not a continuation of the regime that carried out the terror below.”
”For the record, she is a stalwart comrade in arms, she commands respect with her skill in her, to me, unusual weapons, perhaps most importantly she exhibits care in whom she inflicts harm upon. However, I have somehow given her the impression that I look down upon her despite my efforts.”
”We met on the road, but I kept to myself. I didn’t come here as an adventurer. My destination was this region. The environment below was not exactly conducive to rapport building conversation. I hope we will have a chance to talk when we leave here.”
”And in all honesty I am also interested in the history of the place. I don’t believe there is any harm in that.”
To reemphasize, a large part of the issue that Yantri has here is that Stone's reactions to Yantri being upset by something are fairly consistently to explain why Yantri shouldn't be offended. They are not to apologize, though perhaps you're taking those to be the same thing. The mindset demonstrated is that Yantri needs to learn from Stone and that will make things better.
I do realize at this point that I'm quite possibly coming across as attacking Stone, and by extension Darren. That's not my intent and I do apologize if I'm offending. I also realize that it takes two to have an interaction, and if things aren't going well for whatever reason both parties will tend to have something to do with that (there are very rare exceptions when both parties are acting in good faith and I'm certainly not claiming this is one.) As I said in the discussion thread earlier the dynamic that we have going on here isn't one that I'm interested in playing with.
For this to work from my end Stone's going to need to stop trying to help Yantri learn against her will. Well intentioned or not, unwelcome assistance can still be offensive to the person who has it foisted upon them. Yantri will figure things out on her own terms and in the long run Stone's actions should help her realize where he's coming from. If we can agree to that Yantri can work towards looking for the better intentions in what Stone is doing otherwise.
There have been times in my past when I'd be more interested in exploring a relationship where Yantri works over time to help Stone realize all of that, but now isn't one of them; it's not the sort of game I'm looking to play as it's a sort of work that I'm not up to putting into it right now. If that's the direction we would head this is a good spot in the story to have Yantri head out on her own and let the party continue to enjoy the module (which has been fun.)
Man I wish we had posts this long in the gameplay thread!
I have been busy at work and I normally post on my phone, but I have a short break and access to a keyboard so I will try to get this out.
I wish we were all at a real game table so that communcation could be in person and would just be easier. The written word is not something that I have always been a wizard at and I am well aware that I am not the best at expressing myself in type.
This scene:
After the disappointment at the end of the road and the turn of events the cleric calls after Ngai who starts up the stairs. In Jean-Luc Picard style.
”My gosh. One would think there weren’t even any barns where some of you were raised.”
”First off this isn’t a city, you might call it a settlement or a village maybe, but it’s not even a walled town. I am sure the inhabitants want to call it a town.”
”Second, we all have weapons! Get over it. Heck the dwarf is basically carrying a bomb that could go off in her face at any moment and that woman invited us in here FOR FREE and you already screwed that up Ngai. Word of caution if you go into a general store around here there will be weapons. The storekeep isn’t pulling one on you he is trying to sell what he can to feed his family.”
”Third, the man there is obviously studying that axe and making notes. He never brandished anything near you. Unless you think he is going to actually be able to fling it at you with his turkey quill pen?”
”Fourth you’ve got to learn to handle yourself in pulblic. You are 6’ 5” giant and your boyfriend glows in the dark and is part demon. Flipping out acting like you are going to go full orc doesn’t help your cause.”
”And fifth and lastly, I concur wholeheartedly with you sir. Gesturing to Kane They have been both crazy and noisy the whole time.”
Was intended to show Stone's frustration of being on the road and coming to the town. He was sent here after all. He follows a God whose portfolio includes Chivalry. He was upset that Ngai may have ruined his chances in the town, because he was out of money and there is a personall involved mission in the town that means something to Stone. He was also upset at Ngai's behavior towards Kane and the host. Brandishing a weapon at the wizard could potentially start a conflict, brandishing a weapon in a hosts home, etc, etc. The comment about Sheridan was to promote interaction between the characters. But, most importantly, believe it or not, I had not read Yantri's back story before the bomb in the face comment. Later when I did read her story I was like, "Damn, Stone looks like such a dick." But, Stone didn't really know any of the players on the road and kept to himself.
The scene was also to show a character flaw, he wasn't chivilrous at all was he in that scene?! No.
That's why the next morning he mentions "failing to lead with a rose."
The honey comment was not meant as a lecture. I was trying to get accross that he is from humble beginnings "only the rich and nobles get honey in the city, sometimes bakers would put a litle bit in the butter that they would brush over the loaves and I would smell it." Also, he was just saying "Damn, this honey is good! In the country they serve PURE honey at breakfast for strangers?! Wow! There are some great things about living in the country!"
Stone is a military type and a vet of some serious fights in and under the streets, the catacombs and sewers of the capital city. He grew up in horrible circumstances. He uses slang like a military vet or cop would, like "Bustin caps, alley quail, shank, knuckle dusters." Ragathiel doesn't use guns, they are new and some do not consider them chivilrous which I assume is based on the knights of the 1400s feeling the same in real times. I tried to work this in to the posts. He has since come to be impressed with Yantri's skill in her weapon.
Stone does talk affirmitivly and tactically, but when I meant like Obiwan, I didn't mean like a mentor, but the way he talks wistfully about a differnt age and set or morals. Not like a history lesson.
Part of what he says is to help bring out his character, but no one has seemed interested in hearing backstory etc, so it hasn't really come out. Besides, the characters have really only been underground a day.
I wasn't going for conflict I was going for meaningful interation, obviously sucked balls at that, my bad.
I have also been trying to get some things across to Sheridan's character and I think I am missing that mark too, but at least he caught on with the "sarge" thing. One of my powers is directing others in a fight and I give them +2 bonuses like a bard, I just havent had the chance to make that come out in the combats we have.
I really like Yantri's concept, I like the character, I was honestly taken aback when I found out that there was a personal emotional offense given. I want this party to work out and I don't want Stone ruining the great game.
Okay, my time I up and I don't have the time to proof read, forgive the gramatics, mispellings and run ons!
Respectfully,
Darren
Actually I have been wondering, is Sheridan actually LG? It says so on his sheet.