Going by the layout of the castle, choosing the right door and proceeding in a counter-clockwise direction might be efficient. There is way more stuff to the left, and subsequently more directions we could get jumped from—especially if we leave the rightmost part of the fort unexplored.
Hello everyone! I know it's too late for me to rejoin now, but I wanted to take my hats off to you all for the incredible game you've run. Things are calming down at long last for me, so I was wondering if any of you are running other games that need a switch hitter? Either way, kudos!
Funny thing is, you're actually right outside the castle if you want to join in for the finale. :) Glad to hear things are going well for you!
Sure! I'd love to pitch in. Should I just have her ride up?
Welcome back Mairen! Glad to hear you're returning to us :).
Oh, welcome back! This is just the cherry on top, ain't it? :)
Yay! Paladin! Welcome back :D
For a summary of the scene, you're at the mountain castle of a megalomaniacal wizard-type who's threatened to blow up the fort with an artifact, a gem that currently hangs in the air over it. The only way to deactivate said gem is to find its partner, which is on said megalomaniac's person in this castle. To bolster numbers and make a show of force, several of the fort's soldiers came along to help with the dragons you knew would be defending the castle.
The dragons have just been defeated, and Mairen is currently outside with the remaining soldiers, commanding the aftermath and helping everyone get patched up. The others have disappeared through the castle's front doors a few minutes ago, but it'd be a simple matter to follow them in. At the moment they're engaged in a fight fairly close to the entrance, which would make enough noise to lead you to them. Sound fair? :)
Sounds more than fair.
*rolls up his sleeves*
Here we go! (And thanks for the warm welcome back, everyone!)
Oh, and I leveled Mairen since it looks like everyone hit 7th.
HP: Did the average + con, so added 7
Saves: No change
BAB: +1
Skills: +1 to Perception and Survival
Smite Evil went to 3/day
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Nice to see you came by again.
By the by, I took your cold iron longspear. We didn't divvy up Marien's stuff further than that, I believe.
@GM: This thing about being the last-on-initiative is becoming a running gag along with Perry's sugar and Balthus/Amund bickering.
I forgot to take the opportunity to change the feat when Pear was in town. So retro?
Balthus nodded at the paladin and looked away, "Well, get in here already!"
Abominably long and hectic day, so I'll update tomorrow. Just to confirm from what I'm seeing, the vote's to head for the door down the end of the hallway to the left, rather than climbing up the tower?
Yep! We do not want a surprise to come up stairs after us.
Btw, I wrote a couple of paragraphs where Mairen laid on hands on both Jetta and Amund in my last post but then deleted them when I realized the wand was a smarter way to go. If for some reason it doesn't get used, however, she'll def patch people up before we move on.
@GM Rennai: Could you add Mr. Vardak on the map, please?
Also: HOLY SH*T, IT'S HAPPENING! <O>
And what timing - the game started a year ago tomorrow (or maybe already today for you). :) Mr. Vardak's up!
Oh snap, things just got really interesting!
Happy anniversary to us!
Hey everyone, I know this game is starting to wind down (alas, and happy anniversary!), so I thought it wouldn't be too rude to let you guys know I'm recruiting for a new campaign. If you're curious or looking to join something, come take a look. You guys are all amazing and I'd be glad to have any of you on board.
Wow, has it been a year already? Happy anniversary, everyone!
I was about to ask if we had plans for playing anything together after this is done, as a unit. Seems like a waste to just dissolve a good group, yeah? We already won the roulette, so to speak. I was thinking of maybe trying my hand at running a play-by-post with Dragon's Demand, if no one else is itching to run anything...
As for the game at hand, could we confirm Mairen's current positioning on the map? As it is, it seems like Amund and Jetta would benefit from her aura.
I'm good with you plugging your recruitment here, Mairen. :)
As for where to go from here, I hadn't intended to start GMing another game right away - it's been a long few months, and I'm ready for a break. I'd be in for playing in a game someone else wants to run for the group, and I agree, it's a good group to keep together! I'm open for whatever anyone may want to run (although I'm not much familiar with Greyhawk), and I can play whatever kind of character we might need.
I have only played a few sessions of 3.5 so I have no familiarity with the Greyhawk settings. I might be interested.
Also Dragons Demand looks like an interesting module.
And wow a year has gone by.
Unfortunately Mairen only moves into range after the spell was cast.
And, for what it's worth, the game's going to have almost nothing to do with the Grayhawk setting outside of Diamond Lake - so don't let that dissuade you if you'd be otherwise interested.
So I did not get that bonus? If that is the case then Amund is gonna be out of the fight. Pretty sure in 10 rounds I can get out of this building. Unless the aura is a continuous thing.
Right, the range is only 10' and she was in the hallway when it was cast.
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Perry can help. Calm Emotions can suppress fear long enough for the spell to expire as a 2nd level spell. I also removes shaken.
There is also a 1st-level answer if GM Rennai allows it--Liberating Command. True, it is more transmutation than enchantment, but you all know about RPG's Rule 0.
Anyone for it?
I'd let Liberating Command work under Rule Zero. As you say, Calm Emotions works as well. Out of time for a post tonight, but I'll move along tomorrow.
While calm emotions will indeed work in supressing the fear effect, it will also stop Amund and Jetta from attacking unless they are attacked in turn. Which is fine, I guess. Certainly better than just being out of the fight entirely. Unfortunately, they might be out of the building (and the range of the spell) before the third round, due to increased speed from haste.
Since the route of escape is random, I'll let the GM pick for me. The obvious route would be to just hightail it out of the building through the entrance hall, but I guess cowering in a corner is just as likely.
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In that case, Percival has haste as well, and possible AOO will cause the two to cower rather than leave the room.
A solution could be that the two are affected by Calm Emotions, and Percival convinces them to stand adjacent to Marien as moral support (and use actions to aid).
Once hit by the burgashsdsdfotst's fire aura, it will give them allowance (as per Calm Emotion's spell descriptor) to fight back while suppressing fear (even if the fire does not deal any actual damage due to energy absorption).
...hopefully.
So the liberating command works for Amund?
Yes Anthuria has liberating command, though I've already posted. Ending the fear affect would be my preference (I didn't know you'd allow liberating command) but GM can decide.
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In that case, Percival will use Liberating Command on Amund as originally planned. If Anthuria can throw it in for Jetta, we can pull this off.
@Anthuria: I believe you can still use it on Round 2 (current round), as it is an immediate action.
Unless there is a rule saying that immediate actions must take place outside your turn (which I am not aware of).
Not to be a killjoy, but this feels a bit cheap. I don't really see how the liberating command is in any way applicable to fear effects. Honestly, I'd rather suffer the consequences than bend the rules for no reason...
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Break the chains of fear, Jetta!
It's not the spell itself (which is a transmutation spell), but the command that gives another saving throw.
Clearly, this infers that the strength of friendship and love triumphs over cowardly arcane-induced terrorism. Anthuria and Percival are between the oldest and youngest characters of the tale, and their encouragement to the others speaks volumes of how socio-political and religious differences fall apart when the forces of good are systematically threatened by the forces of evil.
This also drops a shadow over the real world, and is an example to follow by all world leaders and religious heads, so that we may finally usher in World Peace!
Clearly, the ability for a transmutation spell (which deals only with a cold materialistic view of the natural world) has transcended in purpose into an enchantment by the power of friendship.
Wow, has it been a year already? Happy anniversary, everyone!
I was about to ask if we had plans for playing anything together after this is done, as a unit. Seems like a waste to just dissolve a good group, yeah? We already won the roulette, so to speak. I was thinking of maybe trying my hand at running a play-by-post with Dragon's Demand, if no one else is itching to run anything...
As for the game at hand, could we confirm Mairen's current positioning on the map? As it is, it seems like Amund and Jetta would benefit from her aura.
I will also throw my hat into this ring. I just picked up Seers of the Drowned City, the newest module spanning levels 6 to 8. Dragons Demand sounds fun as well. I would say one or the other, due to time constraints.
No offense to GM Rennai, but I personally have way less fun if I feel like the GM is pulling their punches—like now. The enemy did something tactically sound, and the dice weren't on our side. There should be consequences to that, or otherwise there is no tension whatsoever. If that means that I don't get to participate in the fight, I'm completely fine with it. That's a part of the game.
Any fudging is made even more unnecessary by the fact that Perry actually has a spell that can counteract fear effects, even if it's not as ideal as, say, remove fear or heroism. I say we go with that.
Of course, I'm not asking that you hold the game up on my account. If everyone else is fine with it, go on ahead. But let it be known that I disapprove! :P
I will also throw my hat into this ring. I just picked up Seers of the Drowned City, the newest module spanning levels 6 to 8. Dragons Demand sounds fun as well. I would say one or the other, due to time constraints.
Yeah, one or the other sounds sensible. We can put it to vote, perhaps? I'm fine with either option.
Now I'm torn between the excitement of building a new character for DD or building a new campaign! Someone else must decide!
Ok not a spell I am familiar with. This game is the only one I have ever been grappled in I think. But with Jetta's comment I looked it up and I have to say I agree with Jetta in this regard but as always I bow to the GM's decision.
On the topic of game both of those looke like a good option. You tow could fight it out? Winner takes GM title :D
I made that call on liberating command last night while half-asleep; looking back now, I think I'm inclined to agree with Jetta, too. My main argument to myself had been wanting to keep people involved in the fight, since it's the big, climactic closing...but now I'm thinking keeping verisimilitude is more important. So I'm going to go ahead and reverse that call, especially since we do have calm emotions on hand to help at least one person stay involved in some capacity. Sorry for the confusion - that was my bad, making a snap decision without taking all the factors into account.
Sleepy decisions can get weird.
Hmm. I didn't specify my paladin spells, but one that I might have taken is called Word of Resolve, which could have a direct bearing on our situation. Thoughts, DM? I'm fine with whatever you pick, as I too prefer that combats be made meaningful by being kept fair.
Take a look at the post just up in Gameplay - I think it'll shed some light on the situation. ;)
@GM Rennai: So... is Jetta still panicked, and did she hear the barghests?
Now I'm torn between the excitement of building a new character for DD or building a new campaign! Someone else must decide!
Argh, me too! Okay, to make this easier on ourselves...
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[dice=Bullcrap Rules-Bender Analysis roll]1d20+6
So a 20 is not a success? :O
Yeah, I know I'm pushing it.
At any rate, Percival is following Jetta outside, and he does know Infernal.
I presume that the two might be outside in time to witness the barghgheruiwenrsts attacking the army camped outside.
But without Mairen's buff I also failed the save.
I can't really narrate Jetta's actions without knowing the specifics of her mental state and awareness of the current situation, but as Perry said, the two of them should be outside.
Also, please at your earliest convenience. We aren't in any real rush or anything, but the sooner we know who is GMing, the sooner they can start preparing. Assuming Anthuria and I abstain, there should four votes in total. And yes, a straw poll is not strictly necessary with so few people, but I like 'em. Also, this way people won't get stuck on how the others are voting. :P
If everyone stays for the next game, there should be five votes (Rennai, Balthus, Amund, Mairen, Perry) :).
I'll abstain, but Ill also just say (1) I do really like Seers and will eventually run it regardless, and (2) I already GM another game, and it would be great to see a new PbP GM take up the reigns.
So I'll be super stoked either way!