Hack really has no care for the Goblin. My feeling is that Galador needs punished. I am assuming that this attempt, successful or not, will set in motion a series of events that let the proverbial cat out of the bag in terms of the Republic's and Order's actions with the Worms. That is the chaotic result that appeals to Hack. However, the party should not likely rely upon the Highlander for the best means to accomplish this level of exposure, should we even desire it. As a player, I would not be heartbroken to give up the idea. As a character, Hack would just continue to view his companions as squishy and in need of his battle prowess to survive, like a true Highlander.
Well, it looks like most of you guys don't wanna rescue the poor little fellow. I disagree, personally - I don't see any reason to assume the worst with him, that he hasn't been grabbed while he was trying to escape - but I'll go with the majority.
Nikeisha would rather try and save him, because she tends to go with the underdog, and you don't tend to get more under than Goblins in most settings. He seemed genuine when we talked to him, and she feels like something has gone seriously wrong if he's ended up here, possibly through no fault of his own.
If you guys all feel differently, then she'll drop a letter off with the mayor before we hop on a boat back home and hope that resolves the issue.
Hack really has no care for the Goblin. My feeling is that Galador needs punished. I am assuming that this attempt, successful or not, will set in motion a series of events that let the proverbial cat out of the bag in terms of the Republic's and Order's actions with the Worms. That is the chaotic result that appeals to Hack. However, the party should not likely rely upon the Highlander for the best means to accomplish this level of exposure, should we even desire it. As a player, I would not be heartbroken to give up the idea. As a character, Hack would just continue to view his companions as squishy and in need of his battle prowess to survive, like a true Highlander.
Well, if the idea is to hide and sneak Grugiz out at night as people have been saying, that wouldn't accomplish that goal anyway.
I just wanted to point out that the character who has come from a huntering-gathering/farming background, is looking at the character that came from privilege and went on to more privilege, and desires, very strongly, to, if I'm reading things correctly, kill him. To kill him, mostly, because he has a sneaking suspicion that the man of privilege gained most or all of that privilege by treading on the dignity and backs of "lesser" men, and through clandestine dishonesty. :D That, my friends, is a VERY accurate representation of a lot of reality. Which, the art representing life, not the actuality of disparate wealth, tickles my heart. :D
So how do we extricate our self from this course of action. Because we have for a week in real life figured that the wagon getaway might work or at least the set up would start.
So moving forward-
1- Is Jun going to steal a wagon and tell or not tell us how he got the wagon?
2- Jun is going to learn that the wagon is not something he can rent and break the news to us?
3- Do we have enough to purchase a horse, wagon and hay. Do we want to spend that much resource on it?
4- Attempt a modified plan where we grab the goblin climb down and try to melt into the city before they notice the goblin is gone?
5- Call it done and report back to the Senator?
6- Confront Galador knowing it might turn into a battle in the middle of town that might have legal consequences?
There may be more options but the no available wagon thing puts us back on square one. Previously the vote was to rescue the gobber and even those who disagreed were willing to help. Is that still the opperating assumption?
You forgot the always viable option ...
Run off screaming, pulling out your hair, raving about "Unstoppable corruption of the innocents!!! RUN!!! Save yourselves!!!"
I don't think we actually voted to rescue him. People like me who were against the idea just started going along because someone started making noises about trying to do it themselves if nobody else would help (and like I said, Quint's not going to let anyone attempt a heist without him). I think we've come to the point where we need to actually vote, yes or no. If the answer is no, I say we just retcon it, finish our shopping, then skip to getting on a boat so we can move on.
Btw, don't bother saying "I will go along with the majority". We need a simple "yes" or "no" from each person so we can resolve this. Part of the reason this has taken so long is that not everybody is giving a straight answer. Nobody has issued a flat-out refusal to participate, so unless someone says otherwise, the assumption is that if the group votes to rescue him, everyone will participate. Ok?
Hack says, YES...plain and simple.
Btw, don't bother saying "I will go along with the majority". We need a simple "yes" or "no" from each person so we can resolve this. Part of the reason this has taken so long is that not everybody is giving a straight answer. Nobody has issued a flat-out refusal to participate, so unless someone says otherwise, the assumption is that if the group votes to rescue him, everyone will participate. Ok?
Agreed. I think part of the problem is that everyone has been a little too amiable. Nobody want's to step on anyone else's toes, so nobody is willing to flat-out state what they really want. That level of selflessness is unprecedented, and is just the characteristic needed for a game that stands the test of time!!! :) So, pat yourselves on the back for your selflessness. Then be selfish and say what YOU the player, really want to do here. :)
Hack says, YES...plain and simple.
Hack: Yes
Quint: NoLuna: No
If you don't see your name here, I'm still waiting for a definitive answer from you. Hopefully we don't end up with a 3-3 split...
Edit: Looking back over posts, it looks like Psalm is also against, and Nikeisha is leaning toward a "yes". I would still like to get confirmation of these.
Jun's position is harder to pin down. Last I saw, he was making arguments in favor of a rescue, but it was pointed out that those arguments were based on a misunderstanding of the facts of the situation, and his only response was "I will go with the majority." If we count that as an abstention (and we allow a single abstention, in the interest of avoiding a possible tie), the "no" vote will win. If it's a "yes", and the other two above are confirmed, we have a tie.
Hopefully we don't end up with a 3-3 split...
L. O. L. HA! That would be the perfect "conclusion" to this matter, an impasse. :P If that's the case, I, the DM will cast the deciding vote. :) DM's privilege. :D
I am fine with that.
Btw, in case we end up with a "yes" vote (via DM tiebreaker, unless I've misread Psalm's position), what do we know about the second floor? Maybe Quint saw something as he was climbing past? Does it look like an apartment above the shop, or would we presume that Galador lives somewhere else? That will make a difference in the decision of whether to wait until night.
A row of very expensive glass windows in the back of the shop all had drawn curtains. So Quint couldn't really tell what was on the second floor, but most people don't put nice glass windows in their storage spaces... O.o
Psalm is a no.
Nikeisha? Jun? If either of you is a no, it's a no, and we can move onto riding a boat down the River of the Republic, or the Red River if you're a Highlander. :)
'Fraid I'm going to be a pain in the ass and say yes, I want to rescue the Gobbo.
Jun?
Sorry, thought I had made clear Jun's desire to rescue the Goblin.
So in no uncertain terms, Yes, I vote we rescue him.
GM's choice it is then.
Okay, my vote is for NOT rescuing the goblin that may or may not be Grugiz. There are many factors in my decision to cast that sealing vote, none of which I am at liberty to reveal. I realize that this means three of you have to come up with some in-game rationale for your character changing their mind. I'm going to try to help that with a bit of in-game "forcing." It is never ideal to force players to make choices that they do not find in keeping with their characters, but, trust me when I tell you, this is the safest choice for this party.
Realized something as I was gearing up (pun intended) to make a forward-pushing in-game post... An update of gear in my Hero Lab portfolio is necessary before the push. Examples: Quint bought some armor and tools, and I know a couple people wanted to purchase some healing potions as well (not a terrible idea...). I know that others had a few things they wanted to purchase while in town. So, my post is going to REALLY push things forward, and I want to have everyone's gear updated before we get into that push. I'm still going to post the pushing entry, but we can hold off on engaging in those elements until everyone has satisfactorily updated their inventory.
My recollection is that everyone got 83 gold pieces from the Mayor's gifted cache, correct? I'm going to put that money on everyone's character sheet, and you can spend it as you see fit, or not at all. Please, here in Discussion, give me a list of any new items your character purchased in Blueblossom Haven before departing. I'll make the adjustments in Hero Lab, and then we can get into the combat. What's that? Combat? Yes, I know, been a while, right? In fact, my records show that the last time we were actually engaged in combat was the end of May! Perhaps that's why we lost so many people between then and now... Regardless, the upcoming combat, I think, will be challenging, and memorable. :)
Give me a list of purchased items at your earliest convenience. Thanks!
Potion of Healing...that is all.
Same here, healing potion is all.
I did update my inventory/money on my profile page. Going to add the 50 GP to it now.
Psalm will likely sell his leather and buy hide armor +5 - 10 if we are going by standard values. After which any of his split can go to a party fund.
I sold my leather and bought hide.
The rest of my money I was hoping to go to Hack for his new armor.
I was going to narrate the return to Lira, with Quint picking up his clothes and dropping the torn-off piece of paper as he changes into them. Lira would find it and tell him what she knows about the mark. He'd also pick up some needles and thread for his Tinker's Tools before leaving. I might still write that piece as a flashback and end it with the messenger finding Quint and hurrying him off to the ship.
The inventory on my mythweavers page is updated, with the addition of the Studded leather armor and Tinker's tools, and the additional 50gp.
I might still write that piece as a flashback and end it with the messenger finding Quint and hurrying him off to the ship.
By all means, please do.
@Luna, it is my understanding of the Monk class that you can either take the 1 extra attack as part of the Martial Arts ability, OR, but not both, the 2 attacks from the Flurry of Blows Ki use ability. Both of those abilities use your bonus action, of which, you only have one. Meaning, you'd either make 2 attacks using the bonus action for the "extra" unarmed strike, or 3 attacks using the bonus action to make the 2 "extra" attacks from the Flurry of Blows ability. I hope that makes sense. Since it has been way too long since we've been in combat what I'm going to do is just ignore the first attack (the one that missed) take your actions as using the Flurry of Blows, and taking the three successful hits and all the damage. :) Good job! As to Luna's actions aboard ship, ummmm... my mother always told me if you can't say anything nice, you shouldn't say anything at all... Your guess as to what Luna probably spent her time doing, was in keeping with my thoughts. Not that she wouldn't work if asked, but that she, no doubt, felt the menial labors of the sailors were very beneath her station and status. :) If you feel Luna would have instead "pulled up her highborn skirts" so to speak and gotten down and dirty with Kyngral's crew, then that's exactly how we'll imagine it. Leaving it open and unsaid, we are capable of "re-writing" her time aboard the Sea Slipper as you see fit. :D ;-)
Mended, thank you for your MOST generous correction!
As far as Luna working on the ship, I seem to recall that she helped when we first got on the ship. She would have been willing to help now as well, either climbing up ropes or carrying stuff if needed. But she's better at climbing ...
Not that it really matters at this point.
Quint. as to the RP interactions while buying stuff, I do not have such an active imagination! You on the other hand were doing great! I was enjoying those reads.
I'll grab a Potion of Healing, because it's a good idea to not die. I'll also sell my old Studded Leather armour. That should leave Nikesha with 75 gp.
Other than spending 5 GP to get a small cask of brandy for the captain of their ship, Jun is not really spending any money, since he's trying to save up enough to woo the hand of a woman. I updated his money on his character sheet to the correct amount (86 gp), which includes the 83 gp we were paid for our heroism.
Jun is also carrying 35 gp in trade goods (Tindaran Silks, currently).
Quint's clarification in regards to Nikeisha's actions made me want to seize the opportunity for some 5e teachable moments. Especially since it has been a while since we've been in combat and a couple of our party members are brand new to 5e. :D
Aiming a ranged attack is more difficult when a foe is next to you. When you make a ranged attack with a weapon, a spell, or some other means, you have disadvantage on the attack roll if you are within 5 feet of a hostile creature who can see you and who isn't incapacitated.
One thing about that, that I've seen mentioned in a few other places, is that it is not being within another creature's reach or threatened area that creates the disadvantage, it is only being within 5' of a creature that can see you and is not incapacitated. So, for instance in the current combat. The Merrow's have 10' reach, and you could be 10' away from them and make a ranged attack or cast a spell without incurring the disadvantage.
Then, in regards to Opportunity Attacks...
You can make an opportunity attack when a hostile creature that you can see moves out of your reach. To make the opportunity attack, you use your reaction to make one melee attack against the provoking creature. The attack interrupts the provoking creature's movement, occurring right before the creature leaves your reach. You can avoid provoking an opportunity attack by taking the Disengage action. You also don't provoke an opportunity attack when you teleport or when someone or something moves you without using your movement, action, or reaction. For example, you don't provoke an opportunity attack if an explosion hurls you out of a foe's reach or if gravity causes you to fall past an enemy.
Some highlights I want to reiterate. OA's in 5e happen ONLY when you leave a hostile creature's reach. Making an OA requires the use of your character's reaction, of which, unless you have a special class ability, you only get one per round. Which means, if you chose to use your reaction to make an OA, you could not, in that same round, use your reaction to, for example, cast Hellish Rebuke. This has come up at my tabletop game, in various situations, so make sure you want to use your reaction before declaring the desire to make an OA. Also, and this too came up at my tabletop game, there are spells and abilities that move a creature against their will, one example is the Thorn Whip cantrip. If a creature or character is moved out of the reach of a hostile creature via such means, that movement does NOT provoke an OA (because it is not using the creature's/character's movement speed). An interesting "corner case," so to speak, is the Bard Spell (also Warlock's with the Great Old One Patron) Dissonant Whispers. That spell specifically states that on a failed save the target of the spell must use its reaction (if it still has one) to move as far as its speed allows away from the caster. That movement WOULD provoke OAs if the target left the reach of any hostile creatures. :)
I hope the relevant text helps for future reference. Oh, also wanted to say, not a big deal at all, but in 5e the action Nikeisha took is called the Disengage action, not Withdraw. Simple nomenclature, but worth noting. :) Now to see if the Merrow can kill someone. :P
I'll grab a Potion of Healing, because it's a good idea to not die. I'll also sell my old Studded Leather armour. That should leave Nikesha with 75 gp.
Nikeisha you threw me for a loop with the selling of the armor. Then I looked and realized you took the Armor of Shadows Invocation, which grants the ability to cast Mage Armor at will without using a spell slot. Not too shabby. :) My assumption there is that Nikeisha would, as long as she's awake, just keep casting that spell as often as necessary to keep it active. So her AC would always be 17, unless she was attacked while sleeping, or in some kind of dead magic zone. :) Sound good?
Also note that the "leaving a creature's reach" language means that you can move around all you want while remaining within a character's reach and not provoke.
The Merrow's have 10' reach...
Are you sure about this? Large creatures don't seem to automatically get 10ft reach in 5e the way most of them do in Pathfinder. If this is the case, I'll have to move another 5ft with my disengage.
Also note that the "leaving a creature's reach" language means that you can move around all you want while remaining within a character's reach and not provoke.
Correct! As long as you are still within the reach of a creature, you can run circles around it without provoking OAs.
The Merrow's have 10' reach...Are you sure about this? Large creatures don't seem to automatically get 10ft reach in 5e the way most of them do in Pathfinder. If this is the case, I'll have to move another 5ft with my disengage.
I checked, and the books do in fact say 5' reach, while the Hero Lab monster says 10'. I only glanced at the book entry, saw that it was suitable, and then "uploaded" the Hero Lab creatures into the portfolio for combat and was basing everything off of the stat blocks there. Thank you for pointing this out Quint.
Note to all, I was wrong, the Merrows have only a 5' reach, even though they do take up 10' of space. As Quint pointed out, that is actually pretty frequent in D&D 5e. I'll make sure to check the HL entries against the actual book entries in the future.
Mended, one of my friends is playing in another 5E game and using Hero Lab, and I know he has mentioned that HL has a lot of discrepancies or lacking info for 5E, but Lonewolf (HL's company) told him about another source to get those things updated. I'll check with him asap (Have to wait 'til I'm home - And see if internet's working!) to contact him and get that info hopefully.
Mended, one of my friends is playing in another 5E game and using Hero Lab, and I know he has mentioned that HL has a lot of discrepancies or lacking info for 5E, but Lonewolf (HL's company) told him about another source to get those things updated. I'll check with him asap (Have to wait 'til I'm home - And see if internet's working!) to contact him and get that info hopefully.
Thank you Luna, I'll be very interested in knowing about that.
My assumption there is that Nikeisha would, as long as she's awake, just keep casting that spell as often as necessary to keep it active. So her AC would always be 17, unless she was attacked while sleeping, or in some kind of dead magic zone. :) Sound good?
This is absolutely my intention, yes.
Also, she has 125gp now that we got another 50gp to go boating.
Question: If Jun took a withdraw and only moved back only 5ft, and the merrow followed him, but couldn't get all the way onto the main deck, would if have disadvantage or take any other penalties for being precariously balanced on the edge of the forecastle, with two sets of stairs at different heights underneath it?
Used the wrong word. I meant disengage.
Question: If Jun took a withdraw and only moved back only 5ft, and the merrow followed him, but couldn't get all the way onto the main deck, would if have disadvantage or take any other penalties for being precariously balanced on the edge of the forecastle, with two sets of stairs at different heights underneath it?
You assume that Merrow would follow him in that way. That's a pretty presumptuous assumption. Why wouldn't it just move at and attack the other crew member on the forecastle deck? If, for whatever reason, it did move halfway down the stairs, I would, yes, impose the squeezing penalties on it, but Merrow have an 8 Intelligence score, they aren't dumb animals. It would know that moving into such a position would come with tactical disadvantages (pun intended,) and avoid it.
Also @Hack, you're up in the initiative. You can put that thing out of its misery whenever. ;)
I did say "if".
BTW, is there some reason that guy isn't moving to a safer location? It could be that Jun can't move without letting that guy die...
Yay, time to learn some spells!
Sneak attack increases to +2d6.
Quint will take the arcane trickster archetype and learn the following spells:
Cantrips:
Mage Hand (modified by the Mage Hand Legerdemain ability)
Prestidigitation
Mending
1st:
Silent Image
Disguise Self
Find Familiar (Will get an owl familiar when he has a chance to cast it, but I'll wait for an appropriate time.)
What are the chances we can keep rolling max HP?
Edit: So far, so good!
I've also been thinking that, now that we don't have a wizard in the party, I might want to dip a level or two (probably not more than that) in that class at some point to get more spell slots and a wider range of available spells. Apparently, spellcasting abilities from different classes actually stack in some useful way in 5e, which I don't yet fully understand. Plenty of RP to do before then to help me make the decision, though. Thoughts?
Added second level spells. Spike Growth and Spider Climb is from Circle of the Land and are always prepared. Assuming no special need I also have Erupting Earth and Call Lightening prepped.
With so many D8's being rolled, who can say no?
...nice.
Nikeisha will gain the Pact of the Tome and learn three new cantrips, Thumaturgy, Mending and Control Flames, and now has access to second level slots and a new spell - Earthbind.
I really wish that Healing Elixir was allowed in this game, though.
That's it, really.
3rd level for the monk seems fairly big!
Okay.
Taking:
Way of the Four Elements
Disciple of the Elements
When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you learn magical disciplines that harness the power of the four elements. A discipline requires you to spend ki points each time you use it.
Elemental Attunement. You can use your action to briefly control elemental forces nearby, causing one of the following effects of your choice:
• Create a harmless, instantaneous sensory effect related to air, earth, fire, or water, such as a shower of sparks, a puff of wind, a spray of light mist, or a gentle rumbling of stone.
• Instantaneously light or snuff out a candle, a torch, or a small campfire. Campfire taken care of!
• Chill or warm up to 1 pound of nonliving material for up to 1 hour.
• Cause earth, fire, water, or mist that can fit within a 1-foot cube to shape itself into a crude form you designate for 1 minute.
And choosing:
Fangs of the Fire Snake. When you use the Attack action on your turn, you can spend 1 ki point to cause tendrils of flame to stretch out from your fists and feet.
Your reach with your unarmed strikes increases by 10 feet for that action, as well as the rest o f the turn. A hit with such an attack deals fire damage instead of bludgeoning damage, and if you spend 1 ki point when the attack hits, it also deals an extra 1d 10 fire damage.