Geez, that Beetle is a devious, two-timin'....Dung Beetle!
Well, Team Cool-Minus-Thalia the Traitor, what shall we do? Unleash the beast(s) (as in more than just Hurgah)? Try to hem and haw our way out of this? Or do we make like a tree and get out of here? (sorry, just watched Back to the Future with my kids, channeling a little Biff)
Or, since we are individually shocked by what just happened, will the Stink Beetle make us act as individuals put on the spot rather than let us hold a committee-to-salvage-the-situation meeting?
<<Brilliant move Beetle. Keep staying unpredictable>>>
I'm not sure, but Donkor is really wishing he'd held onto that Calm Emotion spell.
I reacted "as an individual", but it was sort of a non-reaction. There's only a few thousand bad guys around here, so we can probably just unleash Hurgah. Leaving all of their corpses rotting in the sun would probably go a long way toward sabotaging the dig!
Karek's move is more damage control than anything else - depending on what else she does, or what else goes on in the room, he should be able to pin her and stop her from speaking. Anyone else is still free to actually, hopefully, talk our way out of the accusations against our collective character. Karek is an enforcer, not a talker.
I would advocate talking ourselves out of it - having the invitation of the Exemplar will allow us to get closer to the dig site. That would make it easier to sabotage. Of course, even if we make it out of here, Thalia's stunt will have them even more on their guard than they already were going to be.
If we just run, they'll pretty much assume we were thieves and double the guard. Again, if we make it out of here. Seems better to just discredit Thalia and apologize.
Finally, I don't think violence would solve much, sadly. Who would we target, and what would we be trying to do? I mean, killing the Exemplar, even if such an act were possible, would delay the dig. It would also attract a lot of attention, and not be a particularly "good" thing to do.
I have to say, Thalia would have been the most useful PC for the talking part of the campaign. Sad day.
I think we should limit the meta-game talk of what to do. Right now, we have a wonderful situation with everyone caught totally aghast and responding in wildly different ways. It would be a bit odd if everyone just fell into totally synchronized step all of a sudden.
Oh, and unleashing the beast might not be optional....Hurgah is not the most subtle of beings, and while he can keep his cool enough not to start a fight, if someone looks like they are about to open hostilities, it is on....LIKE DONKEY KONG!
Geez, that Beetle is a devious, two-timin'....Dung Beetle!
A what!?
Actually, although my knowledge of history is badly confused by years of participation in various fictional worlds, I believe the dung beetle was actually semi-sacred in ancient egypt and several other cultures. So I think I am cool with that. Stink beetle, however. . .
* * *
First, my apology for dropping a rather large bomb and then disappearing. Due to an upgrade at my complex I've lost my internet connection at my main computer where I keep such useful things as the actual module. This should be corrected shortly (possibly Tuesday).
I'll then set up an initiative order and we'll see how things shake out. That doesn't necessarily mean you are doomed to combat (it might) as non-combat actions can be taken by the various parties as their turns arise.
Mr. Monotomy is on to something when he points out that surprise really should factor in here but I am going to forego an actual technical surprise round and the associated Perception check. I don't think a Perception check would help anyone react faster. Everyone heard what Thalia said and it's more a question of how quick you can realign your brain and react. That sounds like it's best represented by one's initiative stat.
I think I've got everyone's roll, but if anyone's missing try and get that in - otherwise once I resurface, I'll roll for you.
--The Beetle
P.S. One other point of food for thought. For most of you, for good reason, you've left items of significance in the Red Tent. ("Talk amongst yourselves")
P.S. One other point of food for thought. For most of you, for good reason, you've left items of significance in the Red Tent. ("Talk amongst yourselves")
Ah, yes. I wonder if that is a veiled threat? "Behave or I'll take your stuff?" :)
On that note, though, should this come to combat, I've scoured the description of the room for things I can pick up and fight with should the worst come to pass. I've come up with the Scribe's desk, and a varied assortment of pillows. Anything else? Unfortunately, Gandel disappeared...
My internet problem has been extended to Thursday. I may just have to breakdown and post anyways without my books and notes as this cliffhanger is killing me. If so, and you see some numbers change once I'm operational again, just pretend like you didn't notice.
P.S. One other point of food for thought. For most of you, for good reason, you've left items of significance in the Red Tent. ("Talk amongst yourselves")
Ah, yes. I wonder if that is a veiled threat? "Behave or I'll take your stuff?" :)No, no, I am totally cool with the blaze of glory thing, if you guys go for it - tons of fun. In fact, I was raised on 1st edition where level inappropriate encounters were considered both standard and awesome, win or lose - admittedly perhaps more if the PCs win. I just didn't want anyone to make a plan predicated on a favorite weapon being in their PC's hand.
On that note, though, should this come to combat, I've scoured the description of the room for things I can pick up and fight with should the worst come to pass. I've come up with the Scribe's desk, and a varied assortment of pillows. Anything else? Unfortunately, Gandel disappeared...Or will disappear when his init score comes up. (Does his invisibility dispel if he’s used as a weapon but doesn't attack himself?)
Hmmmm. How about a sturdy wooden tent pole? It might have some added chaos if the tent canvass collapses on some people. It might take an action and a STR check to pull it out of the ground though.
There's also a lot of rugs and mats where the crowd is sitting, but they're not much better than the pillows. Throne's probably too heavy, even for Karek. Yeah, the desk is a good bet.
Well, Team Cool-Minus-Thalia the Traitor, what shall we do?
I suggest you surrender while you still can.
Also, for team name, I submit: "Thalia's Dupes".
Quick question: Are the bodyguard types armed? If so, Hurgah should be able to provide a few owner-less, slightly bloodstained weapons within a round or two.
The two bodyguards have scimitars (sorta undersized khopeshes) and large shields - neither of which are "out" and will need to be drawn.
I don't understand though, why would they stain their weapons and give them to Hurgah?
Who knows...maybe they won't be bloodstained...maybe they will just all of a sudden become a bit hot, so the guards don't really feel like holding on to them.
If we end up fighting, I'll be whipping out my awesome decanter of endless water. We'll have us one very soggy blaze of glory.
Or will disappear when his init score comes up. (Does his invisibility dispel if he’s used as a weapon but doesn't attack himself?)
By my reading of the rules, it wouldn't. Hm. Invisible weaponry!
Hmmmm. How about a sturdy wooden tent pole? It might have some added chaos if the tent canvass collapses on some people. It might take an action and a STR check to pull it out of the ground though.
Way to make the Strength Surge rage power sound amazing!
Well, if it comes to a blaze of glory, the Potentate will live up to his name....Hopefully. A squishy wizard can get nervous around a bunch of diabolical monks. Dang mage-killers can ruin some otherwise spectacular spells. But fear not! This squishy wiz has Hurgah, a horde (smallish horde) of angry dwarves, a fellow culinary connoisseur, a protozoan, and a peevish chap armed with a decanter surrounding him and ready to rumble. Bring it on!
If words fail (which seems likely), can we have a tactical map of some sorts so the Pate can unleash his mighteous forces with minimal collateral damage?
I hope it doesn't come to a battle. We will die fighting but we will die all the same way too many foes outside of this area for us to handle and no easy way to get out. :-(
Sounds glorious (and challenging)!
I hope it doesn't come to a battle. We will die fighting but we will die all the same way too many foes outside of this area for us to handle and no easy way to get out. :-(
You could always be level-headed and surrender. I could ask the Exemplar to be merciful.
Just because the half-orc has a death wish, doesn't mean you all have to.
If we end up fighting, I'll be whipping out my awesome decanter of endless water. We'll have us one very soggy blaze of glory.
Did I not design an arbitrary and unfair encounter for the express purpose of getting that dastardly thing out of your hands? My bad. Next time.
If we end up fighting, I'll be whipping out my awesome decanter of endless water. We'll have us one very soggy blaze of glory.Did I not design an arbitrary and unfair encounter for the express purpose of getting that dastardly thing out of your hands? My bad. Next time.
Actually, one of my musings today, if things go bad is this:
If I were to cast me an Air Walk spell, tilt my decanter down at a 45 degree angle and set it on geyser mode...I think I'd have myself a rocket to get away from battle.
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Not that I plan on a cowardly retreat while the rest of the party has their blaze of glory. Certainly not.
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Unless Pharasma has planned things that way. She's inscrutable.
[a bunch of uber-confident stuff follwoed by] If words fail (which seems likely), can we have a tactical map of some sorts so the Pate can unleash his mighteous forces with minimal collateral damage?
Yes. While it's not pretty, I have now prepared such a map and look forward to uploading it to the usual site shortly after I get my access back (projected for Thursday evening).
As a flavor guy, I will cringe when I type "minion #3 moves to B7" but I think given the circumstances you guys deserve a bit of certainty.
Just remember, I know all about "Pawn to Rook 4".
Actually, one of my musings today, if things go bad is this:
If I were to cast me an Air Walk spell, tilt my decanter down at a 45 degree angle and set it on geyser mode...I think I'd have myself a rocket to get away from battle.
I am not at all picturing Donkor as Wyle E. Cyote right now. Though had you not specified the correct degree of fire, I might have been skeptical.
Unless Pharasma has planned things that way. She's inscrutable.
Where has she been all your life?
Actually, one of my musings today, if things go bad is this:
If I were to cast me an Air Walk spell, tilt my decanter down at a 45 degree angle and set it on geyser mode...I think I'd have myself a rocket to get away from battle.
I am not at all picturing Donkor as Wyle E. Cyote right now. Though had you not specified the correct degree of fire, I might have been skeptical.
Unless Pharasma has planned things that way. She's inscrutable.Where has she been all your life?
Donkor spends some time studiously examining his beautiful crystal decanter. You hear him slowly spell out A..C..M..E. huh.
I'm getting married next Saturday (July 2nd), so as we approach that date, I'm highly likely to post a bit less frequently.
Congrats, Jace! Good luck!
I'm getting married next Saturday (July 2nd), so as we approach that date, I'm highly likely to post a bit less frequently.
Congrats indeed! I will toast for blessings to your marriage as both myself and the Pate. That way, I get doubly toasted.
Mazel tov!
Congrats on picking up a new template Jace!
I'm getting married next Saturday (July 2nd), so as we approach that date, I'm highly likely to post a bit less frequently.
If you plan to stay married long,that better be the way it goes, lol. Congrats!
This is so suspenseful! Bunky is on the edge of his seat!
Will the lies work? Will we all die? What will become of our "noble" quest? Stay tuned on the Chronicles of... the DUNE SQUAD!!!
No? Yeah, it probably sucks.
Not much for me to write on the IC board, though. I guess I could hiss more insults at Thalia. Do you have another Hero Point challenge for us? I want one!
Stay tuned on the Chronicles of... the DUNE SQUAD!!!
No? Yeah, it probably sucks.
Actually, Dune Squad's pretty solid. It might just be because I prefer it to writing "the party" all the time, but I think it has a good ring to it and is the right fit for this outfit.
Anybody else wanna weigh in on that? I'm the last guy who should pick it.
Here's a vote for 'The Dune Squad' as our official party name. I like it!
Here's a vote for 'The Dune Squad' as our official party name. I like it!
I can go for the Dune Squad, for as long as the squad may live...which may be very brief.
Dune Squad is good. Unless Beetle gives us "Total Party Kill" as a new one during that encounter...
I would, but I used it for another party already. Actually quite a few now that I reflect on it.
"Totally Killer Party"?
"Totally Killer Party"?
Awesome.
Thalia is up next, then Sylaxer (last Asmodean monk), then the palanquin soldiers, then (finally) Breach.
I am on the road tomorrow, so I won't be posting further until at least the evening, I suspect.
"Totally Killer Party"?
This one is the Total Vote Getter from Sooron!
So...
When we get slaughtered in the next round or three (after someone either on our side or the other side finally blinks and everything goes to Avernus-in-a-handbasket), we're going to roll up characters for the real party of adventurers hired by Venture-Captain Krenshar to infiltrate the camp while the decoys distract the Exemplar and her flunkies in the gold tent, right?
So...
When we get slaughtered in the next round or three (after someone either on our side or the other side finally blinks and everything goes to Avernus-in-a-handbasket), we're going to roll up characters for the real party of adventurers hired by Venture-Captain Krenshar to infiltrate the camp while the decoys distract the Exemplar and her flunkies in the gold tent, right?
lol, and no druids. Sooron is absolutely poised to flee on his bottle rocket and join that party right now. :)
So...
When we get slaughtered in the next round or three (after someone either on our side or the other side finally blinks and everything goes to Avernus-in-a-handbasket), we're going to roll up characters for the real party of adventurers hired by Venture-Captain Krenshar to infiltrate the camp while the decoys distract the Exemplar and her flunkies in the gold tent, right?
Ahhh, where's the faith? Hurgah can whip all these bozos with one clawed finger up his nose. And how can my character live up to his reputation as the Potentate if he can't deal with a few punk-ass monks, hordes of guards, a couple of measly golems, some high powered spell slinger, and any other surprises some Beetle chucks at him. Maybe the Elemental Gem he has is special and will release hordes of Huge ones...how about just one extra. Maybe those golems only look like stone and instead they are just some cheap, low quality particle board golems from Taldor instead. Donkor can douse him with his Decanter of Dunkings and turn them all soggy.
See, with a little imagination we can turn this situation around, like when Homer becomes the "magical man from happy land in gumdrop house on lolly pop lane". All it takes is a few donuts, and I'm sure Moonpate has some in a pocket somewhere.Ok, maybe Gandel's idea is better.
Ahhh, where's the faith? Hurgah can whip all these bozos with one clawed finger up his nose. ..
T'is true. As long as it don't take more than six rounds. After that, somebody better go bring him his axe, or we're royally screwed.
Oh, and could someone (Gandel?) please run and tell the slaves that now would be an excellent time to riot?
Yikes, guys. You know, the Dwarf Barbarian was almost expecting a semi-peaceful resolution. The Dwarf Barbarian. Good thing the wizard was too crafty for that. :)
Gosh, I hope Donkor has a good plan.
Yikes, guys. You know, the Dwarf Barbarian was almost expecting a semi-peaceful resolution. The Dwarf Barbarian. Good thing the wizard was too crafty for that. :)
Gosh, I hope Donkor has a good plan.
Don't worry, Wyle E. Coyote always has a good plan.
I wonder what it is?
Yikes, guys. You know, the Dwarf Barbarian was almost expecting a semi-peaceful resolution. The Dwarf Barbarian. Good thing the wizard was too crafty for that. :)
Gosh, I hope Donkor has a good plan.
Don't worry, Wyle E. Coyote always has a good plan.
I wonder what it is?
He had what I think was an excellent plan for escaping this mess, although it would likely mean we would fail the mission. However it requires everyone to obey his instructions and come on down to form a circle. Which doesn't seem like it will happen. :)
Yikes, guys. You know, the Dwarf Barbarian was almost expecting a semi-peaceful resolution. The Dwarf Barbarian. Good thing the wizard was too crafty for that. :)
Gosh, I hope Donkor has a good plan.
Aye, too crafty. Yeah, that's it. I'll keep telling myself that as we all fall together.
Dang fargin monks!
Happy (belated) Independence Day all you Yanks!
Pardon my absence - briefly got hit with some real life stuff. I'll gradually catch-up with outstanding questions and posts. Hopefully my posting binge last weekend will carry us through for a bit.
With the cliffhanger of Moonpate and Hurgah dim dooring to an unknown location in the Master Camp, while the rest of the Dune Squad escapes through the Gate of Cascades, I feel like we just reached the cliffhanger endpoint for Season 1.
Clearly this chapter unfolded precisely as the module intended. Thanks for keeping this Beetle guessing throughout.
With the cliffhanger of Moonpate and Hurgah dim dooring to an unknown location in the Master Camp, while the rest of the Dune Squad escapes through the Gate of Cascades, I feel like we just reached the cliffhanger endpoint for Season 1.
Clearly this chapter unfolded precisely as the module intended. Thanks for keeping this Beetle guessing throughout.
Thanks to you for keeping us all on our toes (or claws) with a masterful stroke of the unexpected. Now that is Iron GM worthy. I just hope we survive to actually get to see the insides of this supposed pyramid.
Have no fear, Phrip. I'm pretty sure that should we enter battle again it will be a bit better terms than fighting the entire encampment, or so I hope, lol. To the our GM, I cannot state how much fun this game has been. Breach is on his way to becomig my favorite character I have played to date due to your assurance the fun and story have been the focus rather than a rules debate. Great game with great players. Thanks all!