assuming he does not move again I plan to try and tumble past him to threaten from the other side. I am just sorry I am not already there in order to provide flanking. My biggest concern is that he backs himself up against a wall where we can only get one or two of us to fight him at a time.
No worries; if he does that, I whip another earth elemental. They can burrow, so my next summons can flank him even if he backs up against the wall.
Assuming Zhalet acts again during this fight :/ .....
I could Grease the floor if he tries something of that sort, or go ahead and do it anyway. It would render him flat footed at the least. It would also require everyone to back up from him a bit. I doubt Zhalet will be able to heal up enough during the fight to risk getting back within arm's reach so it's about the only tool she has remaining.
Moved myself in the map according to 4th and 5th round actions (but I act last, so...)
So is everyone else also waiting for the enemy actions to be posted before they post?
Hey, I posted... ^_^
"Argle bargle!"
That question was for Solomon and Erizi. I should have been specific.
;)
Given recent dissatisfaction with how I have resolved certain situations, we will now be running combat posting in a different manner.
Some combats, like the one in which we are currently involved, will not be very different from the old way, but others will move much more slowly. As always, if I see that everyone who needs to post has done so, I will update the action as soon as I can.
I do not like this method. I prefer, vastly, to have everyone post and to do a single combat round summary. The problem is that, sometimes, conflicting actions happen and more than one player has expressed dissatisfaction with my resolution of those conflicts.
Since this is a cooperative story-telling experience, we will adapt to ensure that the most acceptable methods are used. So we will try this new method for a time.
If anyone has a better idea, please let me know.
Combat update will come over lunch.
Thanks Lurch. I know I am one of the people who mentioned in PM's a desire to see what the NPC's were doing before I post my actions because when I go after them I often do not end up doing what I posted I was going to do or would have wanted to do something different in light of what they did. I wanted to say that I appreciate your willingness to try other methods of handling the combat rounds in order to allow us to make informed decisions about what we want our characters do instead of guessing based upon what we assume the opponent will do.
In the interest of helping the flow where there is more than 1 NPC initiative and Kilarra is in between them I will, as much as possible, delay my actions so that all the NPC's can go together. Hopefully that will help to keep your posts down to 1 post per round still.
Erizi you crack me up....my new boyfriend...classic!!
Lurch, so that you know my intent. Once we find a way out of the mist I will ensure the group is safely out but I will not leave until I have had a chance to search the place more thoroughly. I do not want to have to make another lucky save in order to look this place over.
Also, since it is obvious that the weapon he was using is magical I will put it in Alexander's pack for later identification when is mind is more reliable.
I was at a wedding this evening, and am very tired. I will update tomorrow.
Lol...nice drawing!!
Cheers. ^_^
Thanks for the great idea, Alexander... ;)
I never saw an answer to my question about the genie languages so I have instead added Osiriani and Kelish to my languages known with my last level up. I would have learned Kelish from Zhalet and Osiriani from Erizi, if they are both willing to teach me.
My apologies. I completely forgot about that question. I would say that the book you found would not contain enough of the genie languages to learn to speak or read them. At most it would have a few words and phrases.
On the other hand, Alexander already speaks Terran and will be picking up the other elemental languages...
One more reason for Kilarra to study with the old Wizard? ;)
If you try to make Kilarra wear a school girl outfit, she might stab you.
....looks at Solomon and nods in agreement...
Alexander doesn't have that fetish...
Alexander, I think we are waiting for a decision as to which way we are going...back up to the 4 pillars room via the way we came or around thru the other secret door I found.
I'm sure a schoolgirl's uniform would have to be special ordered from Cheliax anyway.
Oh, I thought we'd all have a vote. ^^;
Let's bypass the fog and take the secret door.
Sorry guys, been a busy weekend...
Oh, I thought we'd all have a vote. ^^;
Let's bypass the fog and take the secret door.
Obviously, there is more coming. Bear with me, as I am posting at work.
I see there are some questions about mechanics concerning swarms. To see the particulars Click Here.
In summary here are a few highlights:
- they are immune to flanking
- they are immune to critical hits (and by interpretation also immune to precision based damage)
- they provoke attacks of opportunity when they move into your square to attack you. (Looking at you Rukn)
- the CAN NOT take attacks of opportunity themselves. So no acrobatics needed to avoid AoO
- when they move into your square with you to attack you they are NOT grappling you nor can they be grappled. So when they are on you all you have to do is move out of the swarm. The Distraction ability only applies to creatures that took damage from it which causes you to be Nausiated if you fail the Fortitude save that Lurch mentioned.
And..... We are really lucky this one is made up of creatures that are tiny. Swarms made up of creatures that are fine or diminutive are IMMUNE TO ALL WEAPON DAMAGE!!!
Hope that helps
As an aside, did anyone ever take the K Nature roll and succeed to discover we're going to have a rash of lycanthropy on our hands soon?
....ummmmm... 1...2....3...not it!!
Knowledge (nature) .
No fear if he only hit you with the knife...
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Nope, he hit Zhalet with just about everything except his sense of humor, and I don't think he has one of those.
Nope, he hit Zhalet with just about everything except his sense of humor, and I don't think he has one of those.
I read this and started laughing at work....people walking by my officer were like...um...are you ok?
Also, I am not sure if it is relevant but the dagger was weird. It is described as only having one blade but Lurch was clear to point out that after I was hit with it there were three marks left behind, a large one in the center and then two smaller ones to either side. Maybe the blade itself acts as one of his natural attacks or something.
Also, I am not sure if it is relevant but the dagger was weird. It is described as only having one blade but Lurch was clear to point out that after I was hit with it there were three marks left behind, a large one in the center and then two smaller ones to either side. Maybe the blade itself acts as one of his natural attacks or something.
Same thing happened to everyone who was hit by this blade.
Knowledge (nature) 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15.
Unfortunately, Alexander, that is not quite enough to identify that this shapeshifter is a lycanthrope.
More surprises for us, then... ^^;
Well, at this point we are pretty sure we aren't going to run into more danger, and we have a basic agenda for the next few hours.
How about we montage forward, or if there's still an enemy or trap around, you drop us into it?
It is my understanding that we are going to let Alexander examine the pillars while the rest of us move into the 4 pillar room, open it according to the way that was shown to Kilarra in her vision and set up camp. At least that is what I was waiting on.
On a different subject, am I the only one concerned about staying away from the caravan for too long? I thought part of our duty was to help protect the caravan in addition to clear the town. Did I misunderstood what we are being paid to do?
Well actually Zhalet's been making exactly that argument, although without being very assertive, since before we ever left for the Shrine of Nethys. She's just not been listened to at all. At a couple of points I've considered having her split with the party and return to the monastery alone to continue preparing for Kalmarane, which is what she would have done IC by this point I think, but I didn't want to create any bad feelings.
I figure it's just her fate, at least for now, to be mostly ignored when she's not needed. She is quite young and comparatively inexperienced. But, on the other hand it would have saved us a bunch of consumables and extra time dealing with lycanthropy, if we even figure it out in time and can deal with it, which will delay us even more.
C'est la vie.
To be clear, I'm not having Zhalet object to continuing in the shrine because I don't think we can clear it. It's not about resource allocation or the party's capacity to do it. It's for role play reasons. Zhalet has no reason to continue in the shrine. Her motivations don't align with clearing the place so it's cleared. I prefer to make decisions based on the personality and goals of the character I'm playing rather than game mechanics. The shrine is probably not a CR outside the party's ability, Zhalet doesn't want to do it anyway. The module probably isn't running dynamically on a timetable, but the characters don't know that. There may be worthwhile things to yet find in the shrine, but they're not things Zhalet values compared to regaining the church, etc.
I think there's a difference in philosophy here. I enjoy acting according to character motivations and goals. I'd like to role play my character, not make decisions based on what can be done based on party capabilities.
I seem to be a minority of one though. Everyone is certainly having a good time, and the campaign is certainly very well run. I'm not going to try to override the rest of the groups preferences for my own, but I do have my preferences in play style. I think the mismatch is something which will continue to be a problem for me at least, so I am going to withdraw from the campaign.
I regret things didn't work out. I've enjoyed playing with you all, and hope you have a great time with the campaign.
To be clear, I'm not having Zhalet object to continuing in the shrine because I don't think we can clear it. It's not about resource allocation or the party's capacity to do it. It's for role play reasons. Zhalet has no reason to continue in the shrine. Her motivations don't align with clearing the place so it's cleared. I prefer to make decisions based on the personality and goals of the character I'm playing rather than game mechanics. The shrine is probably not a CR outside the party's ability, Zhalet doesn't want to do it anyway. The module probably isn't running dynamically on a timetable, but the characters don't know that. There may be worthwhile things to yet find in the shrine, but they're not things Zhalet values compared to regaining the church, etc.
I think other's motivations for wanting to clear the shrine run more to the potential benefit to the party based on the vision Kilarra received.
No one is asking you to play your character contrary to her motivations. I, for one, appreciate when people play the characters they have created rather than the numbers that abstract that character.
I think there's a difference in philosophy here. I enjoy acting according to character motivations and goals. I'd like to role play my character, not make decisions based on what can be done based on party capabilities.
I guess I do not see where a group of people, be they ever so diverse, would not make decisions that are both in adherence with their goals AND based on the capabilities of the group. Those two things are not mutually exclusive.
I seem to be a minority of one though. Everyone is certainly having a good time, and the campaign is certainly very well run. I'm not going to try to override the rest of the groups preferences for my own, but I do have my preferences in play style. I think the mismatch is something which will continue to be a problem for me at least, so I am going to withdraw from the campaign.
Thank you for the compliment, and I am certainly glad that you have enjoyed your time with us. I think, however, that what you may be mistaking for a difference in play style is actually a case of other people doing the same thing you are doing; that is, making decisions based on their characters' motivations.
I regret things didn't work out. I've enjoyed playing with you all, and hope you have a great time with the campaign.
I would prefer it if you were to stay and continue to play with us. Your contribution to the game is not small, and many times I have been very entertained by your actions. For example, the conversation you were having with your own blood, begging it to remain inside you, made me laugh aloud at work earning many strange looks from my coworkers. If you are, however, firm in your decision, then we will miss you, and I will wish you good luck and happy gaming.
I also would prefer for you to stay! Differences in our characters' philosophies are not impediments to rp, but create good opportunities for it. :) Please stay.
I understand you. I think I made clear I am here for Haleen, so I said it's alright to continue doing what we are (since it's beneficial) but not spend too much resources on it, and when I say that I am not looking at mechanics.
PbP can sometimes be a bit messy, and typing is, let's face it, not as communicative as live speech. I've played in groups of players which were much more different between them than what we are, though, and finally managed to get things around. I think we have potential if we only try to adapt our points of view and respect each other's role playing style. Please, stay... I love this group just as it is.
Plus, what would happen with poor Solomon if you went?
Yes. I ask you to stay as well. This is among my favorite games. If you remember I almost left with Erizi feeling inadequate, but then not only re-did the character to fit better with the group, but also began to understand what motivated the characters. I've seldom played in a game with such divergent and interesting character development.
I have appreciated the voice of reason from Zhalet. Solomon agrees that this ruin has been a dangerous waste of time. He's hoping it will be of tactical use as a staging ground, but he is not thrilled about Alexander wanting to spend days researching while Haleen is still captured.
I appreciate the requests to remain in the game. Thank you. I'm hesitant to remain though because really what I'm wanting is a change in play style. Everyone else seems to be happy with how things are, and I certainly don't want to dictate how the game runs.
I'll try to be a little clearer about my "complaint", which isn't about whether goals must be completely aligned (of of course they needn't be) or whether goals should be within the party's capabilities (of course they should be, at least eventually). The converse isn't necessarily true though, just because a party can do something doesn't mean it should. Capability alone shouldn't define goals. Yes, we can probably clear the shrine, but should we? Or should we now? Maybe we should, maybe we shouldn't, but we don't really talk about that as a group of characters.
This is what I mean when I say "philosophies of RP". Our characters don't interact much outside immediate and functional communication: in combat coordination, direction of travel, etc. It could be Zhalet is completely wrong and it's very much in the party's interest to complete the exploration of the shrine. But saying that characters want to do this in the party's interest isn't a reason. How is it in the party's interest? Why? These types of things tend to be handled OOC in both the game thread and discussion thread. They don't get much attention, and actual IC reasons are rarely mentioned.
One example, (and only one, there are other cases) is the current one. Zhalet gave reasons why she wouldn't continue to explore the shrine. No IC reasons have been given to continue in response. But, OOC it looks like we've decided to continue. So, as a player who is running a character, what am I supposed to do with that? "It won't take much longer" or "We're almost finished" aren't actual reasons to do it, it's "since we're here" inertia. No other characters are making any counterarguments or trying to convince her to the contrary, and she's heard it won't take much longer a few times now. She might infer that Kilarra's vision was important enough, but she would have to infer it since nobody is saying so. Recall that the trip to the shrine was supposed to fill the remainder of an afternoon originally. What would most anyone do in the same situation when there is pressing business elsewhere? I think it's what I've had her say she will do.
It isn't all about the shrine specifically. There have been other times where Zhalet has made suggestions or disagreed with something IC and there was no response, or no IC response, with the issue at hand going OOC instead. I don't mean "X studiously ignores Zhalet because she's annoying and they hate her". I can work with that. I mean radio silence. I can't do anything with that because there's nothing to work with.
In all of the campaigns I've enjoyed it would be easy for me to write a 2 or 4 line description of the other characters in the party without having to use character sheet information. I don't know that I could do it in this case. I don't really know how or what the others characters think because it's so rarely revealed. For example, obviously others don't need to be as concerned with saving the Lions of Serana as Zhalet is, but I can only guess they are or aren't because nobody else mentions them. If they're less important, what does the character value more? If they are very important to the character, why is a delay justified?
So, what I would like is to have more character interaction, including not taking discussions of larger questions OOC so much. But I also know it would mean more posts and more work for everyone, As far as I know I'm the only player who feels this way. That is why I decided to withdraw rather than impose any extra burdens on other players to satisfy my preferences.
Actually that was part of Erizi's original complaint. That we tended to operate our characters in a vacuum, and that we had reduced our characters to a series of numbers. I for one would like to embrace more character development. Why don't you give another week or two, and see if we can step up our game
I love character interaction. I feel like we've been getting a lot better at engaging other characters, pretty much since Erizi was thinking about leaving.
That said, for a while now we've been working our way through a dangerous dungeon. Solomon approaches these things like a soldier (because he is one). That means he talks as little as necessary, and keeps the scouting group and the main group separate on purpose. It definitely diminishes the opportunities for role-play for Kilarra and Solomon and tends to make the rest of the players feel like they are on standby.
I think there's an opportunity there that is currently being missed.
Since the rest of the group is just hanging back, waiting to see if the scouts trigger a trap or find a monster, the rest of you could be having whispered conversations. Those conversations will certainly be interrupted, but that's part of the fun of it. After the next encounter you just pick it back up again with "so as I was saying..."
It means the scouts will be largely left out of the role-play that happens during dungeon crawls, but I'm fine with that. I'll still get to read it.